Head of IT
Location : Belfast
Job Ref: UDF/2025/401
Employment : Full-Time Permanent
Closing Date : 05 March 2025 05:00 pm
Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.
At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.
Culture
Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.
Equal Opportunities
The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.
Benefits
In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.
Head of IT
The Company
Dale Farm is a leading dairy company, which manufactures an extensive range of consumer and food ingredient products. With an annual turnover in excess of £500m the Group exports globally to over 40 countries, with a particularly strong presence in the UK retail market. It is our mission to ensure that we exude the highest standards through our processes, products, and people.
As the Head of IT, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our technology strategy. You will collaborate with senior management to identify technology needs and opportunities, oversee the IT infrastructure, and ensure the seamless operation of IT systems. Your leadership will be crucial in driving IT projects, maintaining data integrity, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
About The Job
Reporting to the Director of Group IT, within this exciting role your responsibilities will include:
- Partnering with senior management to identify technology needs and opportunities.
- Playing a key role in the development and implementation of IT strategies.
- Overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of IT systems and infrastructure.
- Ensuring the reliability, security, and scalability of IT systems.
- Preparing and managing the IT operating budget and capital expenditure requirements.
- Optimising IT investments to align with business goals.
- Collaborating with the Data & Analytics team to ensure system solutions support a high level of data quality as defined by the Data Strategy.
- Aligning data management practices with the Data Strategy.
- Scoping, planning, and delivering IT projects on time and within budget.
- Utilising project management best practices to achieve project goals.
- Supporting the implementation of the Operational Technology (OT) strategy by ensuring adherence to business IT processes.
- Integrating OT and IT systems to enhance operational efficiency.
- Developing and maintaining IT governance frameworks.
- Introducing new governance structures to monitor and manage IT investments.
- Promoting a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Managing the IT Operations and IT Applications teams to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
- Coaching and mentoring team members to identify improvement opportunities and develop their skills.
- Applying LEAN principles to enhance existing IT systems or implement new solutions.
- Staying updated with best practices and latest technologies to drive continuous improvement.
About You
Education/Experience
The successful candidate will have at least 5 years’ experience within a management role, hold a relevant 3rd level qualification within a relevant field and have experience leading complex IT projects, including planning, execution, and delivery.
Key Skills
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following key skills and competencies:
- Strong understanding of IT technology and hold a clear understanding of what excellence looks like.
- Strong technical skills, including excellent working knowledge of technology and automation opportunities.
- Excellent leadership skills to manage projects effectively and drive process efficiencies, and demonstratable experience in driving and managing strategic change.
- Strong business and data analysis skills to lead a data driven approach.
- A problem-solving and analytical mindset.
- Good communicator - able to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences, and collaborate with key business units across the group.
- Ability to effectively plan and prioritise workloads, and exercise strong time management.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Close attention to detail.
Why Dale Farm?
We have a lot to offer at Dale Farm, not only to our farmer members that we support but also to our employees, and we are committed to a learning and development journey for all. In addition to a competitive salary commensurate with the role and our standard benefits such as 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and contributary company pension, we also offer benefits such as Life Assurance, full wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme, and enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave.
We are proud to promote an open and supportive culture which is based on our core values:
Teamwork | Positivity | Resolve | Ambition | Curiosity | Accountability
You can find out more about life at Dale Farm on our LinkedIn and Facebook Career pages, and on our company website.
linkedin.com/company/dale-farm-ltd/
To apply for this position please hit the apply button below.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 5th March 2025.
No unsolicited CVs from Agencies please.
We are an Equal Opportunities employer
