Assistant Group Head of IT

Here at ISS we are a dynamic and fast-growing group of companies committed to delivering high-quality fresh produce to the UK market. Our operations span sourcing, packing, and supplying a wide range of fresh produce, with a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and ethical practices.

Role Overview

We are seeking an accomplished and commercially experienced Assistant Group Head of IT to help lead our technology strategy and operations across multiple sites. This is not a typical IT support role — we’re looking for a strategic leader who has consistently delivered transformative results and driven innovation beyond the day-to-day.

The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of experience in IT leadership, particularly within fast-paced, high-growth environments. You will be instrumental in shaping our IT landscape to support strategic business goals, enhance operational efficiency, and enable scalable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Contribute to the development and execution of a forward-thinking IT strategy aligned with the Group’s commercial objectives.
  
• Infrastructure Oversight: Ensure robust, scalable, and secure IT infrastructure across all sites, with a focus on performance and resilience.
  
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: Lead efforts to safeguard systems and data, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
  
• Team Development: Inspire and mentor a high-performing IT team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  
• Business Systems Optimisation: Drive improvements in core business applications such as Prophet and BI tools to enhance decision-making and operational insight.
  
• Project Delivery: Lead complex IT projects, including system upgrades, integrations, and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring timely and cost-effective execution.
  
• Vendor & Partner Management: Build and manage strategic relationships with technology partners and service providers.
  
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage data analytics to inform IT strategy and support business intelligence initiatives.
  
• Executive Support: Provide expert-level support and guidance to senior leadership on IT-related matters.
  
• Budget Management: Oversee and optimize a significant IT budget (£3M+), ensuring value and ROI.
  
  Qualifications & Experience
  
  
• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field.
  
• Extensive experience in IT leadership roles, ideally within FMCG, fresh produce, or similarly dynamic sectors.
  
• Demonstrated success in delivering business value through technology, beyond operational IT.
  
• Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and enterprise systems.
  
• Strong technical expertise in Windows Server, Active Directory, SQL, Exchange, Citrix, and related technologies.
  
• Proven experience with ERP systems, data analytics platforms, and business intelligence tools.
  
• Track record of leading IT through M&A activity and post-merger integration.
  
• Exceptional commercial insight and ability to align IT with broader business strategy.
  
• Skilled in project and vendor management, with a results-oriented mindset.
  
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
  
  Personal Attributes
  
  
• Visionary and strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
  
• Commercially minded and results-driven.
  
• Ethical, transparent, and trustworthy.
  
• Adaptable, proactive, and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement