Director of Supply Systems at Howdens

In this leadership role, you will lead the Supply IT teams and the business to define the IT strategy and roadmap and act as the strategic link between the Information Systems and Supply Chain teams. Based in our Howden, East Riding of Yorkshire office four days a week and one day working from home.   

Reporting to the Digital and Business Systems Director, this is a great opportunity to provide strategic technical leadership and effective business partnership in a FTSE 100, decentralised business.  You will bring your proven IT leadership experience to identify and evaluate emerging technologies and recommend opportunities to further enhance our competitive advantage and operational efficiency.

Key skills and capabilities required for this role include a proven track record of partnering business functions across the supply chain, manufacturing and service functions, driving digital innovation, a strong passion and interest in leading organisational change initiatives and having the intellectual curiosity and ambition to challenge as well as develop your own career. 

What we can offer you:

• Highly competitive benefits package with a performance related bonus scheme (up to 75%)
• Company Car or Annual Car Allowance
• Private medical family health insurance
• Award winning pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays per year and opportunity to buy extra holidays. 
• Cycle to work scheme  
• Share save scheme. 
• Exceptional reward and recognition events 

What you’ll be doing:

• Ensuring technology initiatives align with business goals by translating needs, prioritising demand, and driving value through collaboration and informed decision-making.
• Building and leading a high-performing team of functional experts fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Identifying and evaluating emerging technologies, recommending opportunities to enhance our competitive advantage and operational efficiency.
• Establishing and enforcing development principles, design standards, and governance processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and quality across all solutions.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, ensuring clear communication and alignment between business needs and technology solutions.
• Identifying and managing risks related to supply chain projects and ongoing support, ensuring solutions are delivered with minimal disruption to the business.
• Defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of supply chain initiatives.
• Working closely with the wider teams to ensure seamless integration of applications, solutions, and systems with the underlying technology infrastructure, aligning delivery timelines, resource planning, and scalability requirements.

What we need from you:

• Significant experience in an IT leadership role building and implementing complex solutions.
• Proficiency in modern technology stacks, cloud platforms and enterprise systems
• Proven ability to deliver large-scale technology solutions and manage multi-million-pound budgets.
• Strong understanding of SAP supply chain modules, integration points, and customisation practices.
• Proven track record of partnering business functions across the supply chain, manufacturing and service functions.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience driving digital innovation and leading organisational change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex problems, evaluate options, and deliver effective solutions under pressure.
• Understanding of cost management, return on investment analysis, and vendor negotiations.
• Comfort with ambiguity and change, coupled with the ability to adapt plans and strategies in a dynamic environment.
• A natural role model, leader and team player who fosters trust, builds strong relationships, and encourages cross-functional collaboration, able to align diverse teams and stakeholders toward shared goals.