Head Of Technology (Nairobi)

Role Overview

Lead the organisation’s technology function and connect digital investment to measurable improvements in manufacturing performance and financial results. You will set the enterprise technology direction while overseeing systems, data, infrastructure, cybersecurity and the links between factory operations and business platforms. Success means demonstrating sustained, Finance-validated value in areas such as EBITDA, operating cost, working capital and return on investment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own technology operating and capital budgets, and agree annual financial targets for technology-enabled savings, productivity, margin improvement and revenue growth with business leaders.
• Build and deliver a technology roadmap supported by clear architecture, standards and governance; require quantified business cases for investment decisions.
• Direct factory digitisation, automation and smart manufacturing programmes, using connected operational and enterprise systems to improve equipment effectiveness, yield, uptime, energy use and unit conversion cost.
• Manage and improve core business platforms, including ERP, MES, CRM, HR and supply chain and finance systems; reduce unnecessary complexity and improve integration and adoption.
• Strengthen data governance and establish reliable reporting, analytics and practical AI applications to support decisions on pricing, margins, inventory and working capital.
• Oversee cybersecurity, privacy, business continuity and disaster recovery for both information technology and operational technology, translating material risks into financial and investment considerations.
• Provide dependable, secure and cost-conscious networks, cloud services, workplace technology and user support across the organisation’s locations.
• Prioritise the technology portfolio using financial measures such as NPV, IRR and payback; review realised benefits, redirect underperforming work, rationalise applications and manage vendor costs.
• Develop technology talent and promote effective collaboration with manufacturing, supply chain, commercial and corporate teams to support business-wide change.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, engineering or a related discipline; relevant postgraduate study is an advantage.
• Progressive technology leadership experience, including senior responsibility in manufacturing or another asset-intensive, multi-site organisation.
• Strongly preferred: direct P&L accountability through leadership of a business or a substantial department within a business unit.
• Demonstrated delivery of enterprise systems, digital transformation, cybersecurity and technology modernisation, with documented financial results such as cost savings, improved margins or investment returns.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, major suppliers, significant operating and capital budgets, and organisational change across multiple sites or countries.
• Commercial and financial expertise, including business-case development, NPV and IRR assessment, total-cost-of-ownership analysis, capital governance and benefits tracking.
• Ability to share accountability for financial outcomes with the CFO and business leaders, and to ensure reported benefits are verified and reflected in business results.

What We Offer / Why Join

The role offers the opportunity to shape technology and digital investment across the organisation, with a direct mandate to connect that investment to manufacturing results and financial performance.