Senior IT and Digital Development Manager, MENA

Arla Foods; Dubai; On-site; AED 331,000 - 477,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla Foods in Dubai is seeking a Senior IT & Digital Development Manager for the MENA region. Based in our regional office, you will shape the digital transformation agenda, partner with senior leaders, and align IT investments with business priorities to deliver measurable value.

You will own the end-to-end regional IT & digital project portfolio, lead large-scale initiatives, and drive standardization, capability building, and innovation across markets, functions, and cultures.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years in digital transformation or IT leadership roles.
• Experience leading regional or international IT/digital initiatives.
• Strong project and portfolio management capabilities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate tech into business value.
• Experience across markets, functions and cultures.
• Hands-on with strategy-to-execution in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead the MENA Digitalization Agenda and project roadmap.
• Own end-to-end IT & Digital project portfolio across the region.
• Drive standardization, simplification and capability building.
• Partner with regional leaders and Global IT to deliver value.

Skills

Digital transformation

IT business partnering

Programme management

Technology leadership

Stakeholder management

Portfolio management

Change management

AI and analytics

English communication

Global/international experience

Job description

Senior IT & Digital Development Manager – MENA, Dubai. At Arla, we do so much more than make some of the world’s favourite dairy products. We make healthy taste delicious, mornings worth getting up for, and family dinners unforgettable. Puck®, Dano®, Lurpak®, and Castello® – names like these make us a vital, natural part of modern life in over 100 countries around the world. With 1,200 employees in the Middle East and Africa and 19,000 globally, every single one of us plays an important role in building on our 10bn Euros turnover and establishing our position as one of the world’s largest dairy companies.

Senior IT & Digital Development Manager – MENA, Dubai. At Arla, we do so much more than make some of the world’s favourite dairy products. We make healthy taste delicious, mornings worth getting up for, and family dinners unforgettable. Puck®, Dano®, Lurpak®, and Castello® – names like these make us a vital, natural part of modern life in over 100 countries around the world. With 1,200 employees in the Middle East and Africa and 19,000 globally, every single one of us plays an important role in building on our 10bn Euros turnover and establishing our position as one of the world’s largest dairy companies.

Arla MENA is the largest and most profitable Region within Arla’s International Zone and plans are in place to continue the strong growth in the Region in the coming years, and now is your chance to join the team and be part of the exciting journey!

The role

This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead the MENA digital transformation agenda, partnering with senior business leaders to accelerate growth, simplify processes, build capabilities, and unlock business value through technology and digital innovation.

Based in our Regional Office in Dubai, UAE, and reporting directly to the MENA Head of Finance, you will own and drive the MENA Digitalization agenda and project roadmap. Working closely with the Regional Leadership Team, Global IT and International Zone stakeholders, you will ensure that digital investments are aligned to business priorities and deliver measurable business value across the region. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, requiring a strong business mindset, stakeholder management skills, and a passion for delivering meaningful change.

Key Responsibilities

Shape the MENA Digitalization Agenda

• Own and continuously evolve the MENA Digitalization agenda and project roadmap, ensuring alignment with regional priorities and Arla's global Digitalization agenda.
• Identify and champion opportunities to improve business performance, efficiency and decision-making through digitalization and technology-enabled ways of working.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders on digital opportunities, emerging technologies and transformation priorities.

Drive Regional Portfolio Delivery

• Own the end-to-end MENA IT & Digital project portfolio, ensuring clear prioritization, governance and successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Act as the project lead for large‑scale, business‑critical IT and digital transformation initiatives across the region.
• Ensure projects are delivered effectively, balancing business value, resources, timelines and change management requirements.
• Serve as the key interface between MENA business teams, International Zone stakeholders and Global IT functions.

Improve Processes And Build Digital Capabilities

• Challenge existing processes and ways of working, driving standardization and simplification where appropriate.
• Champion digital adoption and capability building throughout the organization.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and business ownership.
• Inspire leadership teams through insights on emerging trends, digital opportunities, AI, automation and advanced analytics

What Will Make You Successful

We are looking for an experienced digital leader who combines strategic thinking with strong execution capabilities and enjoys turning ideas into tangible business results.

You will ideally bring

• 8-10+ years of experience in digital transformation, IT business partnering, programme management or technology leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading complex IT and digital initiatives in regional or international environments.
• Strong project and portfolio management experience, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and drive execution.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate technical concepts into clear business value.
• Strong commercial understanding and the ability to connect technology investments to business outcomes.
• Experience working across multiple markets, functions, and cultures.
• A hands‑on approach with the ability to move seamlessly between strategy and execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and facilitation skills.
• High energy, drive, and resilience in a fast‑paced environment.
• A global mindset and strong English communication skills.
• An established network within Arla would be a significant advantage.

What We Offer

At Arla, we are committed to professional development and promoting from within. You will join a positive, collaborative culture and a market leader with household‑favorite brands, contributing to sustainable practices that benefit our customers, farmers, and the planet.

The closing date for this advert will be 31st August 2026.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

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