Head/Deputy General Manager - Information Technology - Manufacturing

IT General Manager / DGM Manufacturing
Location: Singadivakkam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Department: Information Technology
Employment Type: Full-Time
Level: Senior Management
Role Overview:
We are looking for an experienced IT General Manager / DGM to lead the overall IT function for a large manufacturing organization. The role will have end-to-end responsibility for IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, IT/OT Security, SAP, MES, Business Applications, IT Projects, Plant IT and Vendor Management. The ideal candidate should have strong experience working in a manufacturing/plant environment, with the ability to align technology strategy with business and manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities:
1. IT Infrastructure & Plant IT:
- Lead IT infrastructure across corporate and manufacturing/plant locations.
- Manage servers, networks, data centers, storage, cloud, end-user computing and connectivity.
- Ensure high availability, reliability and scalability of IT systems.
- Develop infrastructure architecture, technology roadmap and lifecycle plans.
- Drive disaster recovery, business continuity, backup and system availability initiatives.
- Lead cloud adoption and infrastructure modernization initiatives.
- Ensure effective IT support for plant operations with minimum downtime.
2. IT/OT Security & Cybersecurity:
- Develop and implement the organization's overall cybersecurity strategy.
- Lead IT/OT security across manufacturing plants and enterprise environments.

- Manage network security, endpoint security, IAM, DLP, cloud security and vulnerability management.
- Lead cybersecurity incident response and risk mitigation.
- Ensure compliance with relevant security standards such as ISO 27001, NIST and CIS Controls.
- Coordinate security audits, penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.
- Drive cybersecurity awareness across the organization.
3. SAP, MES & Business Applications:
- Own the strategy and management of enterprise applications including SAP, MES and other business applications.
- Ensure effective integration between SAP, MES and shop-floor/OT systems.
- Manage SAP landscape, upgrades, enhancements and application support.
- Oversee MES systems supporting production planning, shop-floor data collection, quality and OEE.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Finance, Supply Chain, HR and other business functions to identify technology requirements.
- Ensure application availability and SLA adherence.
- Drive automation and digital transformation initiatives across manufacturing operations.
4. IT Project & Digital Transformation:
- Lead large-scale IT implementation and digital transformation projects.
- Manage project scope, timelines, budgets, resources and risks.
- Establish IT project governance and PMO practices.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders, system integrators and technology partners.
- Ensure successful implementation, adoption and post-go-live support.
- Identify opportunities for process automation and technology-led productivity improvements.
5. Vendor & Commercial Management:
- Manage strategic relationships with IT OEMs, system integrators, MSPs and technology vendors.
- Lead vendor selection, negotiations, contracts and SLA management.
- Monitor vendor performance and ensure delivery against agreed KPIs.
- Manage IT budgets, licensing, AMC and technology procurement.
- Drive cost optimization without compromising service quality or security.
6. IT Leadership & Governance:
- Lead and mentor teams across infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, plant IT and project management.
- Define the IT strategy and technology roadmap aligned with business objectives.
- Prepare and manage the annual IT budget.
- Establish IT policies, SOPs and governance frameworks.
- Present IT performance, risks, projects and technology initiatives to senior management.
- Drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Candidate Requirements:
- 20- 25+ years of overall IT experience, with significant experience in senior IT leadership roles.
- Experience in a large manufacturing organization is mandatory/preferred.
- Should have managed IT operations supporting manufacturing plants/shop-floor environments.
- Strong exposure to SAP and MES.
- Strong understanding of IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity and IT/OT environments.
- Experience managing large IT teams and multiple technology functions.
- Strong experience in IT project/program management.
- Proven experience in vendor management, contract negotiations and IT budgeting.
- Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills.
Education:
- Full-time BE/B.Tech from a reputed engineering institution is mandatory.
- Preferred backgrounds: Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, Electrical or related engineering disciplines.
- MBA / Master's degree will be an added advantage.
Preferred Certifications:
- PMP / PRINCE2
- CISSP / CISM
- ITIL
- SAP certifications
- AWS / Azure / GCP certifications