Head of IT

Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group; Longford; Hybrid; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group in Ireland is seeking a hands-on Head of IT to lead the technology function for a fast‑paced FMCG manufacturing and distribution business in Longford. You will own ERP, production systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, warehousing and logistics tech.

In this leadership role you’ll balance strategic planning with day‑to‑day delivery, partnering with senior leadership, operations and finance to enable uptime, efficiency and growth across national

Qualifications

• Senior IT leadership experience in manufacturing, FMCG, or distribution.
• Strong ERP experience in an SME environment.
• Proven ability to balance strategy with day-to-day delivery.
• Experience managing external vendors and service providers.
• Strong stakeholder management with non-technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own the IT landscape across production systems, ERP, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
• Drive uptime, reliability, and continuous improvement to support operations.
• Work with senior leadership, operations and finance to enable growth.
• Manage vendors, contracts and IT spend with a commercial focus.
• Deliver automation and process improvements to SME manufacturing.

Skills

IT Leadership

ERP Experience

Vendor Management

Stakeholder Mgmt

Cybersecurity

Job description

Head of IT SME FMCG Manufacturing & Distribution

Location Longford | On-site with hybrid flexibility

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a hands-on, Head of IT to lead the technology function within a fast-paced, well-established FMCG manufacturing and distribution business.

This organisation is a trusted name in everyday consumer goods, supplying major retail partners across Ireland through a complex, high-volume supply chain and multi-site manufacturing operation.

The Role

This is a critical leadership position where you will own the entire IT landscape ? from production systems and ERP through to infrastructure, cybersecurity, warehousing, and logistics technology.

You?ll operate as both strategist and doer, ensuring systems are reliable today while steadily improving capability for tomorrow.

Working closely with senior leadership, operations, and finance, you will ensure technology remains a true enabler of efficiency, uptime, and growth.

Key Focus Areas

• Lead and develop the full IT function across manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution
• Ensure stability of ERP and production-critical systems
• Own warehouse, logistics, and inventory systems supporting national distribution
• Drive uptime, resilience, and responsiveness across IT operations
• Implement practical, SME-appropriate cybersecurity and GDPR compliance
• Manage vendors, contracts, and IT spend with a strong commercial lens
• Identify and deliver automation and process improvement opportunities
• Support system upgrades and business change with minimal disruption

What Success Looks Like

• High system uptime and uninterrupted production operations
• Fast, effective IT support aligned to business needs
• Strong cybersecurity posture and audit readiness
• Controlled IT costs with clear business value delivered
• Improved reporting, data quality, and operational insight

Experience Required

• Senior IT leadership experience in manufacturing, FMCG, or distribution
• Strong ERP experience in an SME environment
• Proven ability to balance strategy with day-to-day delivery
• Experience managing external vendors and service providers
• Strong stakeholder management skills with non-technical teams

Desirable

• FMCG or food manufacturing background in Ireland
• Exposure to OT/IT environments
• Experience scaling systems within growing SMEs

Why This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of an IT function in a business where technology directly impacts production, customer service, and national supply chain performance. You will have real influence, visible impact, and the autonomy to shape how IT supports the future of the organisation.