Job
- Level
- Lead
- Job Field
- IT, Network, Security
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Contract Type
- Permanent employment
- Location
- Cologne
- Working Model
- Hybrid, Onsite
Job Summary
In this role, you will develop strategic techniques for optimizing and securing multi-cloud infrastructure, leading a team to enhance operations and IT security while complying with regulations.
Job Technologies
Your role in the team
- In this key role, you will assume overall responsibility for the Infrastructure Operations department within Pfeifer & Langen IT Solutions KG - including strategic alignment, technical and disciplinary leadership, as well as actively shaping the stable, secure, and cost-effective operation of the infrastructure services.
- You report directly to the Managing Directors and initially lead two technical managers with a total of 18 employees.
- You are fully responsible for the operation of our infrastructure services: Multi Cloud (AWS / Microsoft Azure), IT/IoT/OT network and security infrastructure (including Cisco, Palo Alto), OnPrem compute, workplace & edge devices.
- You are responsible for the development and optimization of the system landscape, including escalation management for incidents and technical coordination of external providers.
- You ensure the development and utilization of data- and KPI-driven control mechanisms for the entire infrastructure area.
- You lead the currently directly subordinate managers or employees professionally and disciplinarily in a strong remote environment.
- You specifically develop the directly subordinate managers and employees.
- You establish a clear leadership structure, uniform expectations, and consistent performance management – and shape a leadership culture that embeds ownership, clarity, business orientation, quality awareness, learning ability, and willingness to change.
- You are responsible for capacity and resource management as well as skills planning and development for your area within the framework of the coordinated budget and personnel planning.
- You are responsible for the planning, control, and monitoring of the departmental budget, as well as managing external partners and service providers in terms of performance, quality, and cost-effectiveness together with Provider Management.
- You are the central decision-making and escalation point for internal priority, quality, risk, and interface issues, and you escalate early to the Managing Directors in case of structural or strategic conflicts.
- You continuously develop roles, responsibilities, governance, and collaboration to enhance controllability and scalability, as well as to ensure good cross-functional cooperation with other areas and within Infrastructure Operations.
- You will also be responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance with security, risk, and compliance requirements in the infrastructure environment (NIS2, KRITIS, ISO 27001, ISO 62443).
- You develop incident response processes and the operationalization of security audits further.
- You are responsible for the project business in the IT infrastructure environment, including the timely and budget-compliant implementation.
- You plan and manage the budget for multiple autonomous business units.
- You represent the department to the Managing Directors, other Heads of Department, business units, and external partners, working closely with the Lead Architects and the CISO; in doing so, you consider stakeholder management and targeted communication.
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Our expectations of you
Education
- Completed degree in Computer Science, Business Informatics, or a comparable field; ITIL and/or project management certifications are a plus.
Qualifications
- A modern leadership understanding that emphasizes people orientation and development.
- Solid knowledge in Multi Cloud operations (AWS and/or Microsoft Azure), Networking & Security, as well as an affinity for AI and automation.
- Strong problem-solving skills, conflict and assertiveness strength, decisiveness, as well as conceptual and process-oriented thinking – combined with a hands-on mentality.
- Very good German and English skills; Polish language skills are an advantage.
- Regular presence at the Cologne location is important to you (regularly 1-2 days a week in the office for exchange at the leadership level, team building, etc.) as well as irregular business trips to our company locations, trade fairs/networking events, etc. (10-30%).
- Class B driver's license is mandatory.
Experience
- 8-10 years of professional experience in the IT environment with a clear focus on infrastructure.
- Proven experience in the professional and disciplinary leadership of employees.
- Proven experience in IT security & compliance: NIS2, KRITIS, ISO 27001 - ISO 62443 is advantageous.
- Experience in KPI management, budget responsibility, and provider management.
- Experience with external service provider management and stakeholder management at executive/management level.
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What we offer
- New key role with direct reporting line to the Managing Director - high visibility, genuine building work partly on greenfield.
- Market-competitive salary package including company car (also for private use).
- Hybrid work model with the option for remote work - combined with regular presence in Cologne and a travel component of 10-30%.
- Collegiality, trust, and open communication.
- Individual training, mentoring & modern IT landscapes.
- Family-run corporate group with stable growth.
- We actively promote diversity - applications from all backgrounds are welcome. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given special consideration if equally qualified.
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Topics that you deal with on the job
Job Locations
This is your employer
Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG
Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG is an established company in the food industry, operating since 1870 and known for its production of natural sugars, becoming a leading sugar manufacturer in Europe over the years.
Description
- Company Type
- Established Company
- Working Model
- Full Remote, Hybrid, Onsite
- Industry
- Food Products
Head of Infrastructure Operations
- Location
- Cologne
- Working Model
- Hybrid, Onsite
- Diversity
- Open for all genders
