Sole responsibility for all aspects of systems & ICT management, including strategies, support, personnel & infrastructure, for a fast-paced, multi-division fresh produce foodservice & food solutions sector business.

Role
* Appointed to deliver the group’s first strategic IT framework, following creation via MBO process
* Worked closely with senior-level management & Directors to define business-aligned IT services
* Delivery of mission-critical IT services & support across a user base of 500+ and 20+ locations
* Direct control of 4 IT teams (3 remote), with total IT headcount of 10+ staff
* Recruitment, appraisal, training, development and coaching of IT personnel
* Selection and ongoing management of strategic external IT service providers
* Advised senior-level management teams, stakeholders and directors on IT and technology issues
* Monitored operational performance, systems capacity, budgetary controls, SLAs & KPIs
* Focused on definition of IT infrastructure, policies and services, aligned to agreed business plans
* Project planning, analysis, development, implementation & resource deployment management
* Led ongoing evaluation of business requirements & technology, maintaining competitive edge
* Co-ordinated IT facilities, systems maintenance, technology upgrades and end-user IT support
* Focused on design & delivery of a new generation of infrastructure to support long-term expansion
* Developed, and monitored adherence to, group IT policies and standards

Projects
* Deployed an ERP solution into a foodservice division, providing live stock & sales margin monitoring
* Replaced group-wide IT infrastructure (30+ servers) to increase reliability & performance
* Designed a convergence strategy to support integration of an acquired business into the group
* Managed the implementation of an IP-based data network to improve overall communications
* Deployed a bespoke category management system for a retail-support division
* Developed a tactical solution to allow efficient administration of new Fruit-For-Schools business
* Selected a strategic voice communications partner, yielding significant annual savings
* Deployed a bespoke, group-wide Management Information System
* Championed and successfully completed the group-wide Year 2000 compliance / Y2K initiative
* Deployed a specialised fresh produce management system into a multi-site wholesale division
* Implemented a group-wide network providing email, file-sharing and applications

* Responsible for control of an IT applications team providing support & development capabilities
* Appointed to establish an IT team to support a complex software base following an MBO process
* Focused on business-critical IT support, including development of application software systems
* Leadership, management & control of a team of 9-12 IT staff, supporting a user-base of 800+
* Project planning, analysis, development, implementation & resource deployment management
* Deployed a major £100k+ enhancement to a bespoke warehouse management application
* Implemented changes to facilitate real-time stock functionality, utilising mobile-based devices
* Outsourced the support and operation of packaged payroll, personnel & financial ledger solutions
* Negotiated outsourcing initiative to yield immediate annual savings of £30k+ & improved support
* Led upgrades to supply-chain systems to support the introduction of a packaged telesales solution