Director Technology Strategy & Execution

Position Title: Director Technology Strategy & Execution
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Toronto HQ
Requisition ID: 32126
OVERVIEW:
Our Global Technology team's goal is to leverage technology and data to drive profitable growth, focus on enhancing customer experience and to further our purpose of ' Celebrating real connections through delicious, planet-friendly food '. McCain has embarked on an ambitious digital transformation across our business from Agriculture to Manufacturing and commercial capabilities to enhance our Customer obsession. As part of this transformation, we are making significant investments into our digital platforms, technology transformations and in building a data driven culture.
We are building digital products for our customers, suppliers/growers, and McCain team members to enable digital processes and data-driven automation. Through our investments, we will transform McCain into a company that empowers our teams with easy-to-use systems which will help them collaborate better, be productive and make data driven decisions. Will you be part of this exciting journey.
JOB PURPOSE:
This position reports directly to the Chief Technology & information Officer (CTIO) and is responsible for developing and driving the technology strategy and execution agenda to accelerate the company's digital transformation. This includes collaborating with the Technology Leadership team to structure and launch technology-driven, enterprise-wide initiatives. The candidate will ensure the CTIO is prepared with content for all executive presentations, project updates, and special technology-focused initiatives. The individual must be versatile and able to work closely with Technology leaders, other business functions, and regions to ensure progress on technology priorities.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participation in major enterprise-wide technology efforts

• Support the CTIO on large technology transformation initiatives, acting as a key liaison between the CTIO, ITSLT and other business stakeholders.

1. Preparation and content creation for Board and Executive meetings

• Develop and maintain content related to technology strategy and transformation progress for all executive meetings and board presentations.

1. Driving Strategic technology initiatives

• Develop and maintain a structured inventory of critical priorities and activities of interest to the CTIO. Implement a structured approach for managing technology initiatives.
• Conduct regular initiative reviews to ensure the CTIO's needs are communicated, progress is tracked, and potential issues are escalated.
• Provide the CTIO with regular updates on the status of technology projects and highlight areas needing attention.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to perform technology-related analyses.
• Present findings and recommendations to the CTIO, Senior Leadership Team, or Board, as needed.
• Oversee or coordinate project hand-offs to relevant departments or stakeholders as required.

1. Special technology projects

• Identify opportunities for special technology projects that align with the CTIO's objectives.
• Scope, plan, and execute multiple, often quick-turnaround, technology initiatives with minimal external assistance. The person will need to develop internal and external networks to make progress on key projects.

1. Manage key technology meetings

• Lead the preparation and facilitation of meetings related to technology performance and innovation, including collaboration with finance teams for technology budget and performance reviews.
• Understand business technology needs, ask critical questions, and provide insights that connect the dots across departments.
• Schedule and manage the CTIO's commitments related to technology initiatives and meetings within and outside the function and company

1. Communication and meeting facilitation

• Ensure meetings are well-structured with clear objectives, agendas, and relevant participants.
• Prepare briefing materials for the CTIO in advance of technology-related meetings.
• Ensure that all participants are clear on expectations and prepared, including the advance distribution of technical documentation.
• Participate in meetings, capture key action items, assign ownership, and follow up to ensure timely progress.
• Develop and support effective communication from the CTIO to other stakeholders, including the Board.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:
KEY QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCES:

• Professional Characteristics:
  • Excellent communication skills to articulate technology strategies and technical positions clearly and persuasively to various audiences, including executive leadership and technical teams.
  • Ability to influence others, even without direct authority, to drive technology initiatives and ensure stakeholder accountability.
  • Strong program management skills, including stakeholder identification, milestone development, resource management, risk mitigation, and familiarity with change management in technology.
  • Highly analytical and data-driven, with the ability to interpret technical data and develop actionable recommendations.
  • Deep knowledge and understanding of the technology space, ensuring strategic alignment with business goals and driving necessary progress.
  • Confidence in presenting independent viewpoints at senior levels.

• Personal Characteristics:
  • Proven ability to build and maintain strong cross-functional and global relationships within and outside the company, particularly within the technology sector.
  • Capable of working independently and within teams on both strategic and tactical technology projects with minimal supervision.
  • A strong business acumen and ability to lead in technology execution.
  • Able to understand and contribute to the broader operational and business impacts of technology decisions.
  • Skilled at making decisions with a view of broader implications and stakeholder alignment to drive business performance
  • Structured and proactive, with a natural ability to respond effectively to unexpected situations.
  • Able to anticipate challenges and solve problems before they arise.
  • Quick to learn new technologies and processes, ensuring smooth adaptation to evolving business needs.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a sensitivity to diversity and inclusion.
  • Highly adaptable and able to manage pressure in a dynamic, fast-paced technology environment

• Education / Previous Experience:
  • Technology Degree, MBA preferable
  • Previous Technology Strategy role with top consulting firms is preferred.

KEY LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES:

• We are Customer Obsessed:
  • We start with the customer, understand their needs and then work backwards.
  • We leverage data and consumer insights to drive our mutual success.
  • We make doing business with McCain easy.
• We Think Big and Plan Ahead:
  • We set ambitious goals and plan ahead to make them happen.
  • We are curious, always seeking to learn, improve, and simplify.
  • We take smart risks, tenaciously innovating and scaling our successes.
• We Bring Out the Best in our People:
  • We foster trust and inclusion by listening first and showing humility.
  • We create safe space for healthy debate and then commit to a decision together.
  • We empower our people through development, coaching and recognition.
• We Act Like Owners
  • We take ownership of McCain's success, taking initiative, working across boundaries.
  • We roll up our sleeves, we are present and accessible.
  • We relentlessly prioritize, creating clarity to move with speed and impact.

OTHER INFORMATION
This role is based in Toronto, and travel will be required for all ITSLT and other external meetings.
The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
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Job Family: Information Technology
Division: Global Technology
Department: Portfolio Management
Location(s): CA - Canada : Ontario : Toronto
Company: McCain Foods (Canada)