Head of PLM

Agratas – A Tata Enterprise; Oxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Agratas – A Tata Enterprise in Oxford seeks a Head of the R&D IT Centre of Excellence to lead the strategy and governance for digital platforms. This role includes optimizing the product development lifecycle and driving innovation across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality functions.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in Enterprise IT, particularly in R&D and Engineering ecosystems. Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills are essential for success in this multifaceted position.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in Enterprise IT with exposure to R&D and Engineering ecosystems.
• Proven expertise in implementing and optimizing enterprise PLM, ALM, and engineering application platforms.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the R&D digital roadmap across PLM, ALM, LIMS, and CAD/CAE.
• Lead the strategy and governance for PLM and ALM platforms.
• Establish governance and delivery standards for the R&D IT COE.

Skills

Hands-on experience in Enterprise IT

Expertise in PLM, ALM, LIMS

Strong stakeholder management skills

Leadership skills

Experience in digital transformation

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Computer Science

Information Systems

Any other relevant Engineering discipline

Job description

Role Overview

As the Head of the R&D IT Centre of Excellence (COE), you will lead the strategy, governance, delivery, and optimization of digital platforms supporting the end-to-end product development lifecycle across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Laboratory functions. You will partner with R&D and Technology teams to drive the roadmap, implementation, and continuous improvement of PLM, ALM, LIMS, and related engineering systems, enabling digital transformation, regulatory compliance, manufacturing readiness, and seamless integration with enterprise platforms such as ERP, MES, and Data Lake. The role is also accountable for SaaS transformation, master data governance, technology partnerships, cybersecurity, application support, and optimizing the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Key Responsibilities

R&D Strategy & Business Partnership

• Define and execute the R&D digital roadmap across PLM, ALM, LIMS, CAD/CAE, and engineering applications.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and R&D leaders to align technology with product development, NPI, and business objectives.
• Act as the strategic technology advisor to business and IT stakeholders.

Platform & Digital Transformation

• Lead the strategy, governance, modernization, and lifecycle management of PLM, ALM, LIMS, and Engineering Change Management platforms.
• Drive SaaS transformation, platform adoption, scalability, and continuous value realization.

Product Development & Digital Thread

• Enable digital solutions supporting NPI, APQP, Product Development, Requirements Management, Engineering Change, DFMEA/PFMEA, Design Verification, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality.
• Establish enterprise master data governance and an integrated digital thread across PLM, ALM, LIMS, ERP, MES, and Analytics platforms.

Architecture & Delivery

• Govern solution architecture, integration, data models, and implementation standards.
• Lead technology selection, RFI/RFPs, vendor management, and delivery governance to ensure successful program execution.

COE & Operational Excellence

• Establish governance, delivery standards, KPIs, and best practices for the R&D IT COE.
• Drive platform reliability, user adoption, service excellence, cybersecurity, and continuous improvement.

Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing R&D IT COE.
• Develop organizational capabilities in PLM, ALM, LIMS, Digital Thread, Enterprise Integration, and Solution Architecture while fostering collaboration across Enterprise Architecture, ERP, MES, Quality, Data, and Cybersecurity teams.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Hands-on experience in Enterprise IT, with significant exposure to R&D and Engineering ecosystems, including PLM, ALM, LIMS, CAD/CAE, and related engineering applications.
• Proven expertise in implementing, governing, and optimizing enterprise PLM, ALM, and engineering application platforms.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale digital transformation, modernization, and enterprise implementation programs.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end product development, manufacturing engineering, quality management, and New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.
• Experience managing strategic technology vendors, system integrators, and implementation partners.
• Excellent stakeholder management, business partnering, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior business and technology leaders.

Education

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Systems
• Any other relevant Engineering discipline

Key Performance Indicators

• Successful execution of Teamcenter X and Polarion X transformation initiatives.
• Adoption and utilization of PLM, ALM, and LIMS platforms.
• Quality of solution delivery and reduction in post-production defects.
• User satisfaction and L2 support performance.
• Compliance with COE governance and architecture standards.
• Digital thread maturity and integration reliability.
• Delivery of roadmap milestones within agreed timelines.
• Stakeholder satisfaction across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and IT functions.

Reduction in process variation and improvement in data quality across R&D systems