IT Director

The Fuel Store; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Base Salary

Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Health & Wellbeing Support

26 days annual leave

Financial advisor support

Career progression

Job summary

The Fuel Store in Birmingham is seeking an IT Director to lead the strategy for systems architecture and to deliver architecture through in-house teams or partners. You will manage day-to-day IT infrastructure and drive a company-wide AI strategy while reporting to the CEO.

This is a pivotal executive role with significant input into company strategy, requiring hands-on delivery in a lean, fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• Graduate with IT focus and strong technical foundation.
• Experience across Microsoft Dynamics, cloud, networks, DR/BC, IAM, ERP/CRM systems.
• Ability to own strategy and deliver hands-on work in a lean environment.
• Experience managing suppliers and negotiating contracts with senior leadership clarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy for systems architecture and deliver through in-house or external teams.
• Manage day-to-day systems infrastructure and program management.
• Lead/Develop AI strategy implementation and ensure executive buy-in.
• Communicate plans clearly to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Graduate

Microsoft Dynamics

Power BI

Cloud architecture

Networking

Disaster recovery

Business continuity

Identity and access management

ERP systems

CRM solutions

AI implementation

Data Warehousing

Strategic ownership

Supplier management

Commercial negotiations

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's or equivalent

Tools

Power BI

ERP systems

CRM solutions

Job description

The Fuel Store (TFS) is a progressive, Birmingham based business using technology to develop its market and stay ahead of the competition. It is on a mission to revolutionise the way business is conducted in its chosen business segments. The business is a leading provider of fuel and associated products into the transportation sector, providing a range of products and solutions to its customers to increase profits through increasing share of wallet, customer loyalty and usage; serving customers more efficiently and cost-effectively. It currently facilitates the provision of and processes the transactions to allow 65 million litres of Fuel per annum through its card processes.

The business was started 10 years ago and to date has grown organically. Future development will be a combination of organic and inorganic growth offering its customers a carefully thought-out package of products with software that enables easy/dynamic/cost optimised fleet management at its core.

The business is very efficient and proudly operates with circa 50 colleagues whilst delivering nearly £100m of turnover. It means that the senior management team need to be able to operate at both the strategic and operational level often in the same meeting. The ability to ‘roll up your sleeves’ and deliver your own solutions is a hugely important asset to us.

The business buys fuel weekly and as such prices to its customers weekly (alongside the whole market). The pricing dynamics are complex and vary between the different networks supported and circa 6k customers we sell to. Following a year of transition and systems investment on the fuel business, the organisation is now looking to strengthen its wider Fleet Management capabilities. It is currently assessing which products/services to build itself or white label or buy the capability.

The IT Director will work alongside the Executive Team in delivering the technology solutions which will keep the business ahead of its competitors. The IT Director will need to have a personality that understands the dynamics of working in a smaller business which involves both the origination of fresh ideas/ways of working as well as executing for their delivery. The business is aiming to grow through both organic and inorganic growth and the successful candidate will need to have experience or demonstrate the capability to integrate organisations with different systems.

It is worth noting the Company systems are based on Microsoft solutions and therefore exposure to these solutions will be a distinct advantage.

In summary, given the size of the business, this role will have significant input into Company Strategy and therefore the ability to think strategically and then execute at a micro level. This is a pivotal role for shaping the next phase of our evolution and will have a high profile as part of the Executive team and in front of the Board of Directors.

Brief Overview:

Type of Opportunity: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Birmingham, (4 days per week expected in the office)

Reports to: CEO

Key Responsibilities of the IT DIRECTOR:

• Lead the strategy for systems architecture
• Deliver the agreed architecture through in house colleagues or external organisations
• Manage the day to day systems infrastructure
• Manage the program management team to deliver their tasks in a cost effective and timely manner
• Lead/Develop the implementation of the Company AI strategy
• Ensure the Company has buy in to the strategies through clear articulation of the plans

To have the ability to contribute to The Fuel Store’s success, you will need the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• Likely to be a graduate
• Demonstrable all round experience of IT matters including:
  • Microsoft dynamics solutions including Power BI
  • Cloud architecture
  • Networking
  • Disaster recovery
  • Business continuity
  • Identity and access management
  • ERP systems
  • CRM solutions
  • AI implementation
  • Data Warehousing
• Confidence owning strategy and executing hands‑on work within a lean environment.
• Experience managing suppliers, negotiating commercial contracts, and evaluating partner performance.
• Excellent communication skills, able to create compelling commercial narratives for senior leadership.

Desired:

• Experience of managing IT budgets
• Exposure to the wider corporate decision making process and budget processes
• Experience within fuel cards, fleet, mobility, payments, or loyalty sectors.

You should apply if you:

• Are genuinely passionate about our business and want to work with great people with great opportunities.
• Take pride in spotting opportunities and feel comfortable in turning them into business enhancing solutions.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, growing business where your ideas and actions directly influence success.
• Are naturally curious, proactive, and love tackling challenges with creativity and energy.
• Want to keep learning, investing in your own development while also contributing to wider colleague growth.
• Want to be part of a forward‑thinking, people‑driven team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Our Culture

TFS are in the simplicity business and we are building a team, who look at the world a little differently. People that look at the needlessly complicated and say ‘that’s nuts’. People that are bold enough to challenge convention. And brilliant enough to actually change it.

We empower people to think differently, act decisively, and make an impact. We value curiosity, creativity, accountability, and collaboration.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive Base Salary
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme:After 12 weeks of continuous employment, you will be automatically enrolled into our Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance: Payable at 3x Basic Salary
• Health & Wellbeing:You will have access to MediCash upon passing their probation, this will allow you to access healthcare cashback schemes, retail discounts, counselling, for yourself and up to 4 Children.
• Holiday Entitlement:You will be entitled to 26 days annual leave plus all statutory holidays.
• Financial Advice:Access to 1-2-1 financial advisor sessions free of charge.
• Career Progression:We track all employees progression by creating personal development plans, we have an in house L&D Specialist dedicated to help you improve and grow professionally.
• Location:Based in Birmingham City Centre
• Supporting local charities:Weare passionate about giving back to thelocalcommunity andsupporting charitiesas much aswecan.

A little more for you to know…

We want to be a place where everyone has a sense of belonging. Our team is growing rapidly and that means that we want collaborative, talented colleagues to help us to invent The Fuel Store’s future. We will support you, nurture you, and give you the best platform to succeed.

We are also an equal opportunity employer and value diversity across the business. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, family or parental status, neuro diversity or disability status, marital status, veteran status and national origin.