Head of IT Infrastructure - Data Center Services
GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.
The Head of IT Datacenter Services is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, performance, and continuous evolution of GEA’s global Datacenter infrastructure, Cloud computing, Storage, Database, Backup and Archiving. This role leads the Global IT Datacenter services team, ensuring secure, scalable, and high-performing Datacenter services that support the company’s digital and operational goals. The position combines strategic planning, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement to deliver resilient and future-ready Datacenter capabilities.
In addition to the primary location, the position can be based at the following locations: Düsseldorf.
Accountable to Business & IT Management for the performance of the Datacenter services.
Responsibilities
* Strategic Direction & Service Management: Develop and maintain the IT Datacenter services strategic road map, ensuring that Datacenter services capabilities continually support the overall business goals and objectives. Implement governance structures for services dependent on Datacenter infrastructure. Drive initiatives towards service excellence (content, quality & cost), standardization and innovation. Oversee project delivery across scope, budget, and timelines. Ensure high availability, security, and performance of Datacenter services.
* Vendor Management: Manage vendor relationships, procurement, and service escalations. Engage regularly with vendors and service providers. Manage challenging customer escalations and non-conformities.
* Budget Management: Responsible for the overall budget for the Datacenter services, including controlling (planning, calculation and charging) and monitoring the services end to end including management, define service supply mix including selection and procurement processes for new vendors and services.
* People & Organizational Leadership: Lead the global Datacenter services team. For team members in the same location or for IT staff outside of IT hub locations, provide disciplinary leadership, including performance management and development planning. For team members at an IT hub location, provide functional leadership and input for performance management and development planning to the respective Divisional IT Lead.
Your profile and qualifications
* Bachelor or Master’s Degree in information technology/ Computer Science / Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical discipline
* Proven experience (typically 7+ years) in IT Service Delivery / IT Operations / IT Architecture, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
* Experience in handling and leading interdisciplinary teams
* Experience in defining IT strategy and influencing decisions
* Profound knowledge and experience in IT Service Management and ITIL process framework
* Experience in multivendor Management and dealing with multiple suppliers
* Extensive international exposure and deep understanding of cultural diversity
* Motivated by the desire to make a difference in the business
* Able to develop and build leadership within his management team
* Strong interpersonal skills in communication, collaboration & negotiation at different levels
* Exceptional collaboration and partnering skills.
* Leadership skills (in a global matrix environment) and ability to supervise and inspire teams, promoting their professional growth.
* Demonstrated ability to execute financial analysis, estimating and managing budget
* Strong communication skills, in English; local language is a plus
* Strong analytical ability, business acumen, problem solving skills
* Able to lead, develop, engage, and influence people at all levels.
GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, worldview, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.
GEA careers
Join a top employer
GEA is certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for Europe. We have high scores for Leadership, Ethics & Integrity and Sustainability.
A world of opportunities
We’re a global industrial engineering company and one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, and many others. GEA offers exciting and diverse training and career opportunities around the world. GEA’s heritage stretches back more than 140 years. Today, we operate in resilient customer industries with a dedicated workforce of more than 18,000 employees and conduct business with more than 150 countries.
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GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Our portfolio includes machinery and plants as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. Used across diverse industries, they enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production processes globally.
GEA is listed in the German DAX and the STOXX Europe 600 Index and is also among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG and MSCI Global Sustainability Indices.
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