Director of IT (Head of IT)

JOB SUMMARY: 

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of IT to lead our Information Technology department for all entities of the Sakata America Holdings (SAH). The Director of IT will be responsible for developing and executing IT strategies to support the company’s growth, enhance business performance, and ensure the security, scalability, and efficiency of our technology infrastructure. This role will oversee IT operations, manage a diverse team, and collaborate closely with other business units to drive technological innovation and digital transformation across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the IT department in defining and executing the Digital, Data and Technology strategy that supports Sakata’s business goals.
• Collaborate across the organization with executive leadership to identify opportunities for leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and customer experience.
• Oversee the management and development of the IT team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost-effective technology solutions.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives, including customer management (CRM), supply chain optimization, and data analytics for product and customer insights.
• Ensure the security and integrity of company’s data, systems, and infrastructure through robust cybersecurity measures and compliance with industry standards.
• Stay up to date with emerging technology trends in the agriculture industry and evaluate their potential for application within the organization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate technology solutions across departments, promoting streamlined processes and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead IT vendor relationships and negotiate contracts for IT services and products, ensuring optimal value and service quality.
• Provide regular reporting to executive leadership on IT performance, project status, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Partner with other functions such as sales, marketing, and supply chain to understand and create new digital opportunities.
• Drive a customer focused IT team that is delivering tools, technology, and business outcomes that impact the customers.
• Evaluate talent and shift the culture from purely technical resources to a culture of IT Business Partnership. Drive talent mapping and strategy for current state, mid-state, and future state of the team based on the transformation objectives.
• Serve in the capacity as IT Business Strategist and Change Agent in advising the senior management team on the creation of a strategic information technology plan and guiding long range plan for business continuity planning.

Strategy Leadership & Development:

• Develop and implement the company’s IT strategy, aligning it with the overall business objectives.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to prioritize IT initiatives and ensure they meet business needs and goals.
• Lead the digital transformation efforts to modernize and optimize IT systems, processes, and tools.
• Establish a long-term technology roadmap that supports business expansion and scalability.
  

​IT Operations Management:

• Manage and oversee all aspects of the company’s IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and networks.
• Develop and enforce robust cybersecurity strategies to protect sensitive company data, assets, and intellectual property.
• Drive the design and implementation of disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and internal security policies.
• Stay abreast of emerging security threats and best practices, applying them to the company’s security posture.
• Troubleshoot and resolve IT issues quickly and efficiently.

Team Management:

• Manage, mentor, and develop the IT team.
• Foster a high-performance culture by promoting collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the IT department.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of IT personnel to build a skilled and efficient team.

Business Alignment:

• Act as a bridge between IT and other business functions, ensuring that IT initiatives support the company’s overall goals.
• Communicate IT matters effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay informed about industry trends and best practices in IT.

Data Management:

• Oversee the management of the organization’s data, ensuring its accuracy, integrity, and accessibility.
• Implement data security protocols and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data for business insights and decision-making.

Budget and Vendor Management:

• Manage the IT department’s budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for software, hardware, and services.
• Negotiate with external vendors and service providers, ensuring cost-effective contracts and high-quality service delivery.
• Review and manage IT service agreements, ensuring SLAs are met and services are delivered at a high standard.

Project Management and Innovation:

• Lead major IT projects, ensuring timely delivery, quality control, and budget adherence.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies that could enhance operational efficiencies, productivity, and business growth.
• Drive initiatives in areas such as automation, data analytics, AI, and cloud migration.
• Have knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ISO standards (i.e. ISO 9001), Sarbanes Oxley (J Sox), 21 CFR 820, among other relevant quality management programs and concepts.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• As a member of the SAH Senior Management Team (SMT), works directly to develop and implement Information Technology plans to support regional vegetables business strategy.
• Work closely with all members of SMT to understand technology needs across all departments and deliver solutions that support business objectives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, PMP) is a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in IT leadership roles, with at least 10 years in a director-level position.
• Proven track record of managing large, complex IT ecosystems and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong experience in digital transformation, cloud solutions, and IT security to grow, optimize, and secure the business.
• Expertise in budget management, vendor negotiations, and IT governance.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This role involves sitting for extended periods, especially when working on a computer, attending virtual meetings, or reviewing documentation.
• Some tasks may require standing or walking around the office or data center to oversee IT infrastructure, meet with team members, or conduct site visits.
• Occasional lifting of equipment or materials (up to 50 lbs) may be required when setting up or maintaining hardware systems.
• This position may be required to travel up to 15% of the time to different Sakata offices throughout the year, some within driving distance.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Deep understanding of IT systems, infrastructure, cloud services, networks, and software development.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a strategic mindset.
• Ability to influence and drive change across the organization.
• Knowledge of current IT trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: $180,000 – $200,000
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month thereafter.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps