Technology Director - Innovation (Automation and AI)

Interface Recruitment; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

25 days holiday

Equity potential

Company car scheme

Job summary

Interface Recruitment is assisting a major Yorkshire-based group to appoint a Technology Director – Innovation (Automation and AI). The role will own systems, data and services across sites, driving intelligent automation and AI-enabled transformation with tangible commercial benefits.

The candidate will lead strategy, investment and governance, ensure robust reporting, and manage outsourced vendors. A minimum of ten years in technology with senior accountability is expected, with travel to

Qualifications

• Ten+ years in technology with senior accountability for systems, infrastructure and service.
• Track record of major system implementations, upgrades or integrations and managing business change.
• Experience running outsourced providers and managing technology budgets.
• Strong evidence of using automation and AI tooling to improve operations and deliver measurable gains.
• Comfortable working without a large internal team and engaging at all levels from site to Board.

Responsibilities

• Own the technology strategy and investment plan; align with CFO and group roadmap.
• Improve and connect Sage, Weighsoft, Qlik and wider application estate; ensure trusted reporting.
• Own IT service, infrastructure, cyber security, DR, continuity and data protection across locations.
• Lead AI, automation and innovation; measure return on opportunities.
• Own tech budgets and manage outsourced providers on cost, service and performance.

Skills

Strategy & budgeting

Systems & data

AI & automation

Vendor mgmt

Board & exec comms

Tools

Sage

Weighsoft

Qlik

Job description

Technology Director – Innovation (Automation and AI)

Technology managment, support and innovation

Contact number

01132990570

15%, pension, 25 hols,, Lucrative Equity FY30

Additional Benefits

Region

York

Our client has chosen Interface to help them secure the appointment of their first Technology Director to lead innovation, intelligent automation and AI across a growing multi site group.

A large integrated construction materials, waste management and contracting group operating across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Cumbria and the North East. Since 2012, it has grown organically and through strategic acquisitions. More than 2,000 people now work across its quarries, concrete plants, depots and recycling facilities.

The role

Reporting to the board, the Technology Director will own the systems and services on which operations depend, from weighbridges, plants and depots to transport and the back office. This is an innovation led role with a clear mandate to use intelligent automation and AI tooling to transform how the group operates. The Director will connect operational and financial data, integrate businesses and systems and turn practical ideas into working solutions that remove manual work, improve decisions and deliver measurable commercial benefit.

Key accountabilities

• Strategy and investment. Agree a costed group roadmap with the CFO and decide what should be consolidated, replaced or retained.
• Systems and data. Improve Sage, Weighsoft, Qlik and the wider application estate. Connect source systems so operational and financial reporting can be trusted.
• Service and resilience. Own IT service, infrastructure, cyber security, disaster recovery, continuity and data protection across every location.
• AI, automation and innovation. Lead the use of AI tooling and intelligent automation across the group, turning practical opportunities into working solutions and measuring the return.
• Commercial leadership. Own technology budgets and manage outsourced providers and vendors on cost, service and performance. Spend time at sites and present clear choices to the executive and Board.

Experience and capability

• At least ten years in technology or IT with senior accountability for systems, infrastructure and service in a business of comparable complexity.
• A record of delivering major system implementations, upgrades or integrations and managing the business change around them.
• Experience running outsourced providers and systems vendors, negotiating commercial terms, enforcing service levels and owning a technology budget.
• Evidence of improving reporting from operational systems, alongside sound ownership of cyber security and business continuity.
• A strong record of using automation and AI tooling in day to day operations, with clear examples of solutions introduced and what they saved or improved.
• Comfortable working without a large internal team and credible at every level, from site to Board. Experience in construction materials, waste, logistics, transport or a comparable multi site sector would be valuable.

Reward and location

• £110,000 base salary, a bonus of up to 15% and a company car scheme, with cars at this level such as the BMW X5 or Land Rover Defender.
• Based at head office for a minimum of three days each week with regular site travel. Candidates able to spend more time with the business will have an advantage.