Summary role description: 

Hiring for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) – (Manufacturing & SAP) for a leading automotive components manufacturer. 

Company description:

Our client is a renowned multinational company headquartered in Chennai, India. the client has grown into a leading manufacturer specializing in high-quality automotive components, fasteners, and precision-engineered products. With decades of expertise and customer-centric approach and a dedication to sustainability, the client remains a trusted partner in the automotive and manufacturing industries.

Role details:

•    Title / Designation: Chief Information Officer (CIO) – (Manufacturing & SAP)
•    Location: Chennai
•    Reporting to: CFO

Role & responsibilities:

•    Define and execute the IT roadmap aligned with the business objectives of the client. 
•    Lead IT-driven business transformation, leveraging ERP, cloud, analytics, and digital technologies.
•    Ensure IT aligns with the long-term business goals and enhances operational efficiency.
•    Work closely with internal infrastructure, global operations, and service provider teams for strategic IT initiatives.
•    Oversee SAP ERP / MES and other core manufacturing applications to ensure business continuity.
•    Lead a team of 50-60 IT professionals managing IT services for a distributed global user base (India, US, UK, China).
•    Ensure robust IT governance, compliance, security, and risk management.
•    Optimize IT service delivery through process automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Spearhead legacy modernization and cloud migration to enhance IT scalability and agility.
•    Lead large-scale ERP (SAP) transformation projects, ensuring integration with MES, analytics, and digital solutions.
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and IoT adoption.
•    Partner with business leaders to identify emerging technologies that can enhance supply chain, production, and overall efficiency.
•    Provide leadership to the internal IT team, fostering a high-performance culture.
•    Engage with business stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into IT solutions.
•    Drive vendor and service provider relationships to ensure high-quality service delivery.
•    Act as the ultimate track owner for all IT-related initiatives. 

Candidate requirements:

•    Minimum 20 years of experience in IT leadership roles, with a strong focus on ERP (SAP) implementations and delivery.
•    Currently serving as a VP-level IT leader in one of the following capacities:
•    ERP Delivery Head for the Manufacturing vertical of a Global Systems Integrator (GSI).
•    Head of IT for a manufacturing enterprise, overseeing ERP-driven digital transformation.
•    Proven experience in ERP business transformation through digital technology adoption.
•    Hands-on leader who is both a thinker and doer, with a focus on execution over excessive communication.
•    Expertise in SAP ERP, MES, cloud technologies, analytics, and digital transformation strategies.
•    Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
•    Ability to manage large, distributed IT teams and work with global counterparts in India, US, UK, and China.
•    Experience in working with service providers and managing IT outsourcing partnerships.
•    Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
•    Certifications in SAP, Cloud Platforms (AWS/Azure), ITIL, or PMP would be an added advantage.

Selection process:

•    Three interviews including MD 
•    HR discussions