IT I&O Manager

Job Description

The On-site IT I&O Cluster Manager, Iran is the senior local leader for the Iran Onsite IT I&O organization.
The position exists to strengthen local leadership capability and ensure effective delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of IT infrastructure and operations services across Iran. The role is critical to supporting the increasing complexity of business engagement, prioritization, stakeholder expectations, and operational governance, while ensuring that local IT services remain aligned with business priorities, technology standards, compliance requirements, and organizational objectives.
The role carries end-to-end accountability for local IT infrastructure and operations service delivery, technical oversight, people leadership, stakeholder engagement, operational governance, budget and resource planning, vendor and service management, compliance, and overall organizational effectiveness. It ensures that the Iran IT organization operates as a cohesive, business-focused function capable of delivering reliable services, managing risks, driving continuous improvement, and supporting both current and future business needs.
The role also serves as the primary local counterpart to the Regional On-site IT I&O Lead, ensuring effective communication, alignment, escalation management, and execution of regional and global IT priorities within Iran.

What will you do (Responsibilities):
Business Relationship / Internal Stakeholder Management
• Act as the primary I&O IT contact for Market & Factory IT teams in Iran.
• Work as a partner with local business stakeholders, Regional IT I&O leadership, Corporate IT pillars and relevant IT Leads to understand business priorities, operational risks and technical requirements.
• Own stakeholder engagement, prioritization, communication and escalation management with the Iran IT organization.
• Ensure technical solutions and service priorities meet requirements of the business and IT, are cost effective, aligned with IT strategy and technology standards, and delivered according to plans.
• Provide visibility to the Regional On-site IT I&O Director where deviations, risks, delays or service gaps occur.

Corporate IT Vision Strategy
• Ensure Iran on-site IT I&O priorities and technical requirements are reflected in relevant regional and corporate IT discussions.
• Translate regional and corporate OI&O IT direction into Iran execution priorities.
• Ensure Iran IT activities remain aligned with corporate IT strategy, JTI Vision 2030 and IT Transformation commitments.
• Ensure local execution balances business continuity, operational feasibility, compliance and standardization.
• Drive simplification and continuous improvement in line with JTI operating principles.

External Stakeholder / Vendor Management
In alignment with Regional On-site I&O lead:
• Ensure externally contracted technical services are established and managed properly within Iran.
• Manage vendor/service performance according to contracts, JTI policies, procedures and operating guidelines.
• Plan and coordinate external/outsourced resources as required to fulfill expected service quality and maintain operational capacity.
• Seek vendor/service improvement and consolidation opportunities to improve service quality and cost effectiveness without business disruption.
• Ensure vendor and outsourced resource activities are aligned with JTI security, procurement, compliance and service expectations.

Technical Service Delivery Management
• Own overall delivery and performance of on-site IT I&O services in Iran, including technical platforms, infrastructure, network/site technology and end-user computing services, including end-user support.
• Ensure services meet business requirements, agreed standards, KPIs, dashboards and operational expectations.
• Lead resolution of service performance concerns by coordinating with the team, vendors, global service owners, IT Leads and Business Leads as required.
• Drive service improvements by evaluating existing best practices and recommending implementation opportunities.
• Ensure regular maintenance of IT infrastructure to minimize business disruption and ensure timely communication of system changes.

IT Governance
• Own Iran on-site IT I&O operational governance, budget/resource planning, cost tracking, reporting and service prioritization within assigned scope.
• Support effective planning of AP/SP and LE processes, deliver on commitments and communicate clearly how budget/resources are used to run existing services, support change and deliver efficiencies.
• Optimize, control and reduce costs where possible to improve cost/resource efficiency.
• Ensure application of corporate IT systems change management policy for local technical changes according to applicable thresholds.
• Drive cost avoidance through alignment to IT technology standards and reuse of existing technology where appropriate.
Compliance
• Ensure consistent application of computer controls that support financial audit requirements.
• Ensure local IT systems in Iran falling under J-SOX scope fulfill audit requirements where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with IT security policies, procedures and standards to protect information assets.
• Ensure compliance with IT change management procedures, including global IT J-SOX control expectations and formal approval responsibilities where applicable.
• Identify, escalate and mitigate local IT operational, compliance and technology risks.

People Management
• Lead the Iran on-site IT I&O team, including insourced and outsourced teams.
• Own formal line management, team leadership, Dialogue/performance processes, coaching, development, resource planning, and organizational clarity.
• Continuously assess the effectiveness, capabilities, and structure of the local IT organization, and drive organizational design improvements, including reporting lines, role definitions, sourcing models, and organizational restructuring where necessary to support evolving business and operational requirements.
• Participate in recruitment and onboarding for the new organization model.
• Align with IT and local P&C policies for recruitment approvals, resource management, reward/recognition, and team development.
• Lead succession and personal development of IT personnel in scope, promoting continuity, capability building, and integration into relevant corporate processes.

What we are looking for (Requirements):
• 10+ years of IT management experience, including people management. Preferred background in multinational companies with good working knowledge of business and related processes in FMCG industry. Experience in sanctions-impacted or highly regulated operating environments is preferred.
• High level of communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong people management, coaching, resource planning and team leadership skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a geographically distributed and multicultural environment.
• Strong stakeholder management capability with IT and non-IT key business stakeholders.
• Strong financial and budgetary understanding.
• Proven project management, operational governance, vendor management, risk management, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent knowledge of IT technology, infrastructure, end-user computing, business applications.