Manager IT/OT

Brink Group; Staphorst; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 vacation days

ADV days (13)

Travel expense scheme

Bicycle lease program

Competitive salary

Pension scheme CAO Metalektro

Job summary

Brink Group in the Netherlands seeks a hands-on Manager IT/OT to bridge IT and OT across global manufacturing sites. You will lead a 5‑person IT team, manage budgets, and align local operations with the AL-KO/DexKo group standards while reporting to the CFO.

You will shape the IT/OT landscape, drive digital transformation on the shop floor, collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, and ensure secure, reliable IT services for offices and production.

Qualifications

• Experience leading IT/OT in manufacturing environments.
• Strong cross-functional and international project leadership.
• Strong business analysis skills with strategic thinking.
• Excellent Dutch and English communication; German preferred.
• Solid knowledge of IT/OT tech: Azure, M365, networking, ERP, MES.

Responsibilities

• Ensure IT and OT are securely integrated and support office and manufacturing.
• Act as interface between Manufacturing Engineering, global IT, and external partners.
• Lead IT and OT improvement projects, upgrades, migrations, new tech.
• Manage, coach and develop the IT team, set priorities, drive performance.
• Translate business and manufacturing requirements into scalable IT/OT solutions.
• Manage IT budget and forecast, drive continuous improvement.

Skills

People leadership

IT/OT expertise

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft 365

Aruba networking

Windows Server

Virtualization

Cybersecurity

ERP (Dynamics AX/SAP)

MES

Industrial networking

Cross-functional leadership

Business analysis

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Dutch & English

German (preferred)

Tools

ERP (Dynamics AX/SAP)

Job description

Brink Towing Systems is a global market leader in designing, producing, testing and selling flanged balls, fixed, detachable and retractable towbars. Thanks to more than a hundred years of experience, we have as many as thousand different towbar models and about 25 million vehicles worldwide driving around with our towbars.

We are looking for a hands-on Manager IT / OT who will bridge the gap between our IT and OT infrastructures. This role combines local leadership with central and global responsibility in a matrix organization. Locally, you are accountable for the BRINK IT/OT organization, including team leadership, budget, local business alignment, and OT support for manufacturing.

Centrally, you contribute your technical expertise and business analysis capabilities to AL-KO IT initiatives. Globally, you are able to lead projects and contribute to the development of standardized project management across the DexKo organization.

You ensure that technology is correctly integrated, secure and effectively supports our office and operations, preventing fragmentation and operational risks. In this role, you will work closely with Global colleagues throughout the AL-KO / DexKo Group and partner with our manufacturing sites in the Netherlands and across the globe.

You will be leading a team of System & Network-, Application- and Service Desk Engineers (5 FTE), are responsible for ICT budget and forecast and report directly to our CFO.

What makes this position unique:

• Shape the IT/OT landscape of a global manufacturing leader. You will be responsible for aligning and optimizing both IT and Operational Technology (OT) across Brink's key production sites, working in a matrix organization with the global IT team.
• Lead and develop a high-performing IT team. You will manage and coach a team of five IT professionals (System & Network, Applications and Service Desk), fostering collaboration, continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Drive digital transformation on the shop floor. As the trusted IT/OT business partner for our manufacturing sites, you will lead IT and OT projects, support smart factory initiatives and work closely with Manufacturing Engineering to improve operational efficiency, reliability and cybersecurity.

Your responsibilities:

• Ensure that IT and OT are securely integrated and effectively support both our office environment and manufacturing operations.
• Act as the key interface between Manufacturing Engineering, the global IT organization and external technology partners. Therefor you are part of the Staphorst Operations team to ensure strategic direction and clear priorities.
• Lead IT and OT improvement projects, including infrastructure upgrades, system migrations and the implementation of new technologies and provide hands-on technical input for IT, OT, infrastructure, ERP, MES, cybersecurity and service management topics.
• Manage, coach and develop the IT team, setting clear priorities and driving a high-performance culture.
• Translate business and manufacturing requirements into scalable IT/OT solutions aligned with group standards and ensure reliable IT service delivery, governance and alignment with global AL-KO / DexKo standards.
• Manage the IT budget and forecast, while driving continuous improvement across the IT/OT landscape.

Your profile:

• Proven ability to combine people leadership with strong hands‑on IT/OT expertise;
• Broad knowledge of enterprise IT and OT, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Aruba networking, Windows Server, virtualization, cybersecurity, ERP (Dynamics AX/SAP), MES and industrial networking;
• Experience working in an international (matrix) organization and leading cross-functional and international IT or OT projects;
• You combine strategic thinking with practical implementation and strong business analysis skills, with the ability to understand operational requirements;
• You are an effective communicator who can translate complex risks and opportunities into clear business impact;
• Good communication skills in Dutch and English and preferably German as well;
• Strong stakeholder management experience, hands‑on mentality and a problem‑solving attitude;

What do we offer?

We offer a challenging position where you can further develop your expertise. You'll work in a dynamic, international environment alongside colleagues who are just as passionate about quality as you are.

• A full-time employment contract (40 hours per week) with 27 vacation days and 13 additional ADV (working time reduction) days;
• An inspiring, international, and challenging working environment within the automotive industry, with excellent opportunities for professional development and career growth;
• A travel expense exchange scheme and the opportunity to participate in a bicycle lease program;
• A competitive salary based on your years of experience;
• Plenty of opportunities for personal growth and a wide range of training and development programs;
• An attractive pension scheme and employment conditions in accordance with the Dutch Metalektro Collective Labour Agreement (CAO Metalektro).

About us

We are Brink Group, originally founded as a family-owned business and now part of the international AL-KO / DexKo Group. Every year, we design, manufacture, test, and sell more than one million high-quality towing solutions worldwide.

With over 120 years of experience and our motto, "Your Perfect Fit," we provide the perfect connection between every vehicle and trailer. Today, more than 25 million vehicles around the world are safely equipped with a Brink towbar, thanks in part to the expertise and dedication of our team.

With our headquarter and main production location in Staphorst, the Netherlands, Brink Group employs approximately 800 people across nine countries and operates modern production facilities in the Netherlands, France, South Africa, and Thailand.

Interested?

Are you ready to apply your knowledge and become part of a global leader in the automotive industry? We look forward to hearing from you!

Do you have any questions about the position? Please contact Dré Schellekens (Corporate Recruiter) at [phone].