Digital Transformation Director - Operations

Job description

**Who we are:** IRCA Group, an Advent portfolio company, was founded in Italy in 1919, and it is a leading international B2B provider of high-quality semi-finished ingredients such as chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, nuts and pistachios, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other essential solutions for industrial clients or other independent artisanal producers. With more than 2.400 employees, 19 production facilities worldwide, and €1.4 billion in revenues, IRCA Group has a solid track record of growth and international expansion. **What do we offer:** - A dynamic, international, and inclusive environment with exposure to global projects and stakeholders - The opportunity to shape and lead the digital transformation agenda of a fast-growing international organization - High visibility with executive leadership and the ability to influence strategic business decisions - Professional development and international career opportunities - The chance to drive innovation through emerging technologies, advanced analytics, AI, automation, and digital solutions ### The role: We are seeking an experienced **Digital Transformation Director** to define and drive IRCA's **end-to-end Digital Transformation Strategy** across the business. The successful candidate will lead the identification, prioritization, and implementation of **high-impact digital initiatives** that enhance **customer experience**, improve **operational performance**, strengthen **data-driven decision-making**, optimize business processes, and support **sustainable growth**. Working closely with business and functional leaders, this role will act as a bridge between **strategy, technology, data, and people**, accelerating the organization's **digital maturity journey**. The Digital Transformation Director will serve as a key **change leader**, ensuring that digital capabilities are successfully embedded into daily operations while delivering **measurable business value** across **Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, Procurement, and Corporate Functions**. The position is preferably based in **Italy, at IRCA Group's Headquarters**, with regular interaction and collaboration across the Group's international operations. ### What will you do: **Digital Strategy & Transformation Roadmap for E2E Supply Chain:** - Define and maintain the Group's E2E supply Chain digital transformation strategy aligned with business objectives and growth ambitions - Develop and manage a multi-year digital roadmap, ensuring clear prioritization of initiatives and investments - Identify opportunities to leverage digital technologies to improve efficiency, scalability, customer experience, and business performance - Establish governance, standards, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms for digital transformation programs **Manufacturing & Supply Chain Digitization:** - Drive the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies across manufacturing facilities - Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to improve visibility, productivity, quality, and service through digital solutions - Support the deployment and optimization of MES, automation, predictive maintenance, digital performance management, and smart factory initiatives - Lead initiatives that improve planning, inventory management, traceability, and supply chain resilience **Data & Analytics Excellence:** - Promote a data-driven culture across the organization - Develop business intelligence capabilities and performance dashboards that support decision-making at all levels - Improve data quality, governance, and accessibility across critical business processes - Identify and implement advanced analytics opportunities to improve forecasting, operational performance, and business outcomes **Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies:** - Develop and execute the company's AI adoption strategy - Identify practical use cases for AI, machine learning, automation, and generative AI across business functions - Evaluate emerging technologies and assess their potential business impact - Collaborate with internal and external partners to pilot, scale, and govern innovative solutions **Change Management & Capability Building:** - Lead organizational change required to successfully adopt digital solutions - Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement - Develop digital capabilities through training, coaching, and awareness programs - Build engagement among business leaders and functional teams to accelerate adoption and value realization **Program Leadership & Delivery:** - Manage a portfolio of strategic transformation projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and against business objectives - Establish project governance frameworks and monitor benefits realization - Partner with IT to ensure alignment between technology capabilities and business priorities - Act as executive sponsor for key digital initiatives and transformation programs **Cross-Functional Collaboration:** - Collaborate closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, Procurement, HR, Quality, Engineering, and IT teams - Build strong relationships with our CIO organization - Support M&A integration activities by ensuring alignment of systems, processes, and digital capabilities ### Requirements: **Education:** - Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Data Analytics, or a related field - Additional certifications in Digital Transformation, Data Analytics, Project Management, AI, or Change Management are desirable **Experience:** - Minimum 5 years of professional experience within manufacturing, operations, consulting, digital transformation, or technology roles - Demonstrated success in delivering measurable business value through technology and process transformation **Professional Skills:** - Digital Transformation Strategy - Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing - Business Process Optimization - Artificial Intelligence and Automation - Data & Analytics - Project and Portfolio Management - Change Management - Business Case Development - Stakeholder Management - Financial and Operational Performance Improvement **Digital Skills:** - Strong understanding AI solutions, cloud technologies , automation platforms, and advanced analytics tools - Strong understanding of ERP platforms (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle or similar) - Experience with MES, APS, Supply Chain Planning, Business Intelligence, and Data Platforms - Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities **Language Skills:** - English proficiency is mandatory - Additional languages are considered a plus **Softs Skills:** - Strategic and innovative mindset - Excellent communication and influencing skills - Ability to lead cross-functional and multicultural teams - High level of curiosity, resilience, and adaptability - Results-oriented with a strong focus on value creation and execution **Other Requirements:** - Availability to travel internationally up to approximately 25% of the time ### Details: **Contract**: CCNL Alimentare Industria **Level**: Impiegatizio alto livello **Meal vouchers**