UK Infrastructure and Data Manager

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced UK Infrastructure & Data Manager to take overall ownership of the Group's business systems, IT infrastructure and networking, acting as the senior escalation point across all countries in which the Group operates. The immediate priority is to stabilise and remediate the SAP Business One (SAP B1) implementation, which went live without adequate testing and is currently generating significant operational issues, while also maintaining support for the Group's existing Acumatica platform where required. This is a hands-on, senior-level role for a strong mid-to-senior systems/ERP professional who can work confidently with end users through to senior Purchasing, Sales, Finance and Executive stakeholders, make sound, cost-effective systems and infrastructure decisions, manage multiple vendors, and act as the glue between departments, processes and management across a fast-paced, multi-site, multi-country Group — balancing Group policy and global process design with UK-specific governance and regulatory requirements. Key Responsibilities ERP & Business Systems Management (SAP B1 / Accumatica): -     Take immediate ownership of the issues arising from the SAP Business One (SAP B1) go-live, which was implemented without adequate testing; diagnose root causes and drive a structured, prioritised remediation plan. -     Introduce proper testing, change control and user acceptance testing (UAT) for all future SAP B1 changes, upgrades and configurations to prevent a repeat of the current issues. -     Maintain and support the Group's existing Accumatica system as and when required, ensuring continuity for any entities still relying on it. -     Own end-to-end data integrity, reporting accuracy and system configuration across the Purchasing, Sales and Finance modules. -     Manage integrations between SAP B1, Accumatica and other Group and local business applications. -     Own item master and Bill of Materials (BOM) creation and maintenance within SAP B1, ensuring accuracy for production and supply chain use. IT Infrastructure & Networking: -     Own the design, performance, security and resilience of the company's IT infrastructure and network, aligned with wider Group IT policy. -     Ensure robust backup, disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements are in place and tested regularly. -     Maintain appropriate cybersecurity controls, monitoring and incident response in line with Group policy and UK regulatory requirements (e.g. UK GDPR/Data Protection Act). -     Manage hardware, software licensing, cloud services and the end-user IT equipment lifecycle. Vendor & Supplier Management: -     Manage relationships with SAP B1 partners/resellers, Accumatica support providers, network and infrastructure vendors, ISPs and other third-party IT suppliers. -     Negotiate contracts, SLAs and pricing to secure cost-effective, value-for-money outcomes, holding vendors accountable for performance. -     Act as the primary escalation point for vendor-related issues affecting systems or infrastructure. Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Leadership: -     Act as the glue between departments, processes and management, translating business needs into practical systems and infrastructure solutions. -     Support and train end users, while working closely with senior stakeholders across Purchasing, Sales and Finance to resolve process and system issues. -     Present system performance, project status, risks and recommendations clearly to senior management and the wider Group leadership team. -     Support the Production Manager and Supply Chain Manager on production planning, stock management and day-to-day item maintenance. -     Support the Finance Manager, Sales and the Managing Director with data administration, the reporting pack, and monitoring of Production, Supply Chain and company-wide KPIs. -     Deliver training to end users on systems, processes and reporting, building capability across the wider team. Governance, Group Alignment & Local Compliance: -     Align UK systems, IT and infrastructure decisions with wider Group policies, global processes and standards. -     Ensure systems and IT practices meet UK-specific governance, legal and regulatory obligations, including data protection and relevant compliance frameworks. -     Balance global consistency with the practical needs and constraints of the local UK business. Budget, Cost Control & Delivery: -     Make sound, cost-effective decisions on systems, IT and infrastructure investment, balancing quality, risk and budget. -     Own the systems/IT budget, tracking spend against plan and identifying opportunities for cost optimisation. -     Ensure projects and fixes are delivered on time and within budget, applying appropriate project management discipline from mini-projects through to larger initiatives. Continuous Improvement & Roadmap Planning: -     For every significant issue or opportunity, define the short-term fix, medium-term improvement and long-term solution (via project, mini-project or process change), and communicate the roadmap clearly to stakeholders. -     Proactively identify risks in systems and infrastructure before they become critical incidents. -     Build documentation, standard operating procedures and knowledge-sharing practices to reduce key-person dependency. Key Skills & Competencies -     Strong, hands-on SAP Business One (SAP B1) knowledge, including configuration, troubleshooting, reporting and change management; working knowledge of Accumatica is an advantage. -     Proven track record managing IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity and vendor relationships. -     Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to communicate effectively with end users through to senior team members and senior management. -     Strong personality, confident and credible engaging with end users through to senior management and the MD. -     Strong commercial and cost-management judgement, able to make the right systems and IT decisions in a cost-effective way. -     KPI monitoring and a performance-driven approach, comfortable owning and reporting on production, supply chain and company-wide KPIs. -     Patience, problem-solving and strong interpersonal skills, able to work calmly across different teams and personalities under pressure. -     Experience working in a global company with branches in multiple countries, understanding Group-level policy and global process alongside local (UK) governance requirements. -     Resilient and calm under pressure, able to deliver strong results in a highly stressful, fast-changing environment. -     Strong project management and prioritisation skills, comfortable running multiple mini-projects and larger initiatives concurrently. -     A natural collaborator who can act as the glue between departments, processes and people. Qualifications & Experience -     Minimum of 3-5 years' relevant experience in a Systems, IT Infrastructure or ERP Manager role, ideally within a manufacturing or multi-site group environment. -     Strong, demonstrable SAP Business One (SAP B1) implementation, support and troubleshooting experience is essential; exposure to Accumatica or a similar ERP/cloud platform is beneficial. -     Must have experience working on both the partner/vendor side (e.g. an SAP B1 reseller, implementation partner or IT service provider) and the client/end-user side, giving a rounded understanding of both perspectives. -     Experience managing IT infrastructure, networks and third-party vendors across multiple sites or countries. -     Experience operating within a global Group structure, balancing Group policy and global process with local country compliance. -     Relevant IT/systems qualifications and/or certifications (e.g. SAP B1, ITIL, networking or infrastructure certifications) are desirable.