Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc.
IT Business Partner Manager (Operations)
Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc., Stratham, New Hampshire, us, 03885
Overview
Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. provides services to its North American subsidiaries, including Lindt USA, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Lindt Canada, and Russell Stover Chocolates LLC. You will join a core team of 70+ IT professionals supporting these subsidiaries and delivering value through strategic technology partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Act as the trusted IT advisor to Operations leadership, identifying technology opportunities that enable business growth, efficiency, and quality excellence.
Translate operational needs into IT strategy and project roadmaps, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
Facilitate effective two‑way communication between Operations and IT teams to manage priorities, expectations, and value delivery.
Maintain market benchmarking of operations technology capabilities to inform strategic decisions and identify modernization opportunities.
Operations Technology Roadmap Definition & Enablement
In partnership with subsidiary operations functional leadership and One IT Delivery & Infrastructure teams, develop and oversee the full lifecycle roadmap of operations technologies—deployment, upgrades, optimization, and deprecation planning.
Lead the deployment, support, and optimization of SAP modules (PP, MM, IM/EWM, QM, SD, IBP) to drive supply chain and manufacturing efficiency.
Oversee the integration and management of connection points between SAP modules and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
Partner with digital operations process engineers and manufacturing leaders to drive Industry 4.0 and IoT initiatives.
Operational Excellence & Digital Transformation Leadership
Partner with operations leadership across North American subsidiaries to define the transformation roadmap and lead initiatives promoting adoption of digital manufacturing and supply chain solutions (automation, real‑time analytics, digital quality management).
Define and track KPIs for cost‑value realization across operations technology initiatives, such as process efficiency, user adoption, and ROI.
Monitor Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and report value metrics to stakeholders to support prioritization and investment decisions.
Oversee the intake, prioritization, and delivery of service requests and minor enhancements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and IT capacity.
Facilitate functional committees to evaluate, score, and prioritize technology and process improvement demands, supporting transparent governance and effective decision‑making.
Manage the end‑to‑end delivery of key strategic technology initiatives, including project planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Drive continuous improvement in operational processes by leveraging technology to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service levels.
Governance, Risk & Change Management
Identify, assess, and document operational, financial, and compliance risks associated with technology solutions and business process changes.
Collaborate with functional committees and business stakeholders to proactively address risks in demand intake, project prioritization, and portfolio management.
Ensure that risk mitigation strategies and internal controls are embedded in technology project plans, service delivery processes, and change management activities.
Support compliance with internal policies (e.g., Lindt Finance Manual, LICs) and external regulations by integrating risk and control requirements into IT and business processes.
Facilitate regular risk reviews and contribute to continuous improvement of risk management practices across IT and business functions.
Represent the business in IT system changes, ensuring that change management activities—including stakeholder engagement, communication, and training—are effectively planned and executed to minimize risk and maximize adoption.
Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing IT business engagement team, fostering a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and collaboration.
Set clear goals and expectations, conduct regular one‑on‑one and performance reviews, and create individualized development plans to support team growth and career progression.
Provide mentorship and subject‑matter leadership in core enterprise technologies (SAP, MES, digital operations), encouraging knowledge sharing and technical excellence.
Promote open communication, psychological safety, and a feedback‑rich environment to drive engagement, innovation, and trust within the team.
Manage cross‑functional stakeholder relationships across Operations, Finance, Quality, and Commercial teams, ensuring IT initiatives are aligned with business priorities and deliver measurable value.
Partner with external vendors, integrators, and technology providers to evaluate, select, and implement innovative solutions that support business objectives.
Empower team members to take ownership of their work, contribute to shared goals, and step into informal leadership roles as opportunities arise.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, supply chain, or related field (MBA preferred).
8+ years of progressive IT leadership/partnership experience in manufacturing or consumer goods, preferably food/chocolate or process manufacturing.
Strong experience with SAP ERP (S/4HANA preferred) across operations modules.
Hands‑on experience with MES solutions and integration into ERP.
Exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies (IoT, smart sensors, robotics, AI/ML, digital twins) in a manufacturing context.
Skills & Competencies
Excellent business acumen with the ability to connect IT strategy to operations KPIs (OEE, yield, throughput, customer fill rate, etc.).
Strong project management and vendor management skills.
Knowledge of regulatory and quality standards in food manufacturing.
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Success Metrics
Business value delivered (ROI, cost savings, process improvements).
Stakeholder satisfaction (measured by CSAT scores and feedback).
Team development and engagement (staff retention, skill growth, engagement survey results).
Service delivery and project execution (on‑time, on‑budget delivery, adoption rates).
Risk and compliance management (effective risk mitigation, audit results, compliance with internal controls).
Company Description Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is the Supply Chain and Business Shared Services Company supporting the Lindt & Sprungli family of brands, headquartered in Kansas City, MO.
Employment Conditions Employment by Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, and satisfactory employment and background checks.
Equal Opportunity Employer Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.
Salary Range
Stratham, NH: $150,000-175,000
Kansas City, MO: $145,000-170,000
San Leandro, CA: $165,000-190,000
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Key Responsibilities
Act as the trusted IT advisor to Operations leadership, identifying technology opportunities that enable business growth, efficiency, and quality excellence.
Translate operational needs into IT strategy and project roadmaps, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
Facilitate effective two‑way communication between Operations and IT teams to manage priorities, expectations, and value delivery.
Maintain market benchmarking of operations technology capabilities to inform strategic decisions and identify modernization opportunities.
Operations Technology Roadmap Definition & Enablement
In partnership with subsidiary operations functional leadership and One IT Delivery & Infrastructure teams, develop and oversee the full lifecycle roadmap of operations technologies—deployment, upgrades, optimization, and deprecation planning.
Lead the deployment, support, and optimization of SAP modules (PP, MM, IM/EWM, QM, SD, IBP) to drive supply chain and manufacturing efficiency.
Oversee the integration and management of connection points between SAP modules and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
Partner with digital operations process engineers and manufacturing leaders to drive Industry 4.0 and IoT initiatives.
Operational Excellence & Digital Transformation Leadership
Partner with operations leadership across North American subsidiaries to define the transformation roadmap and lead initiatives promoting adoption of digital manufacturing and supply chain solutions (automation, real‑time analytics, digital quality management).
Define and track KPIs for cost‑value realization across operations technology initiatives, such as process efficiency, user adoption, and ROI.
Monitor Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and report value metrics to stakeholders to support prioritization and investment decisions.
Oversee the intake, prioritization, and delivery of service requests and minor enhancements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and IT capacity.
Facilitate functional committees to evaluate, score, and prioritize technology and process improvement demands, supporting transparent governance and effective decision‑making.
Manage the end‑to‑end delivery of key strategic technology initiatives, including project planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Drive continuous improvement in operational processes by leveraging technology to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service levels.
Governance, Risk & Change Management
Identify, assess, and document operational, financial, and compliance risks associated with technology solutions and business process changes.
Collaborate with functional committees and business stakeholders to proactively address risks in demand intake, project prioritization, and portfolio management.
Ensure that risk mitigation strategies and internal controls are embedded in technology project plans, service delivery processes, and change management activities.
Support compliance with internal policies (e.g., Lindt Finance Manual, LICs) and external regulations by integrating risk and control requirements into IT and business processes.
Facilitate regular risk reviews and contribute to continuous improvement of risk management practices across IT and business functions.
Represent the business in IT system changes, ensuring that change management activities—including stakeholder engagement, communication, and training—are effectively planned and executed to minimize risk and maximize adoption.
Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing IT business engagement team, fostering a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and collaboration.
Set clear goals and expectations, conduct regular one‑on‑one and performance reviews, and create individualized development plans to support team growth and career progression.
Provide mentorship and subject‑matter leadership in core enterprise technologies (SAP, MES, digital operations), encouraging knowledge sharing and technical excellence.
Promote open communication, psychological safety, and a feedback‑rich environment to drive engagement, innovation, and trust within the team.
Manage cross‑functional stakeholder relationships across Operations, Finance, Quality, and Commercial teams, ensuring IT initiatives are aligned with business priorities and deliver measurable value.
Partner with external vendors, integrators, and technology providers to evaluate, select, and implement innovative solutions that support business objectives.
Empower team members to take ownership of their work, contribute to shared goals, and step into informal leadership roles as opportunities arise.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, supply chain, or related field (MBA preferred).
8+ years of progressive IT leadership/partnership experience in manufacturing or consumer goods, preferably food/chocolate or process manufacturing.
Strong experience with SAP ERP (S/4HANA preferred) across operations modules.
Hands‑on experience with MES solutions and integration into ERP.
Exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies (IoT, smart sensors, robotics, AI/ML, digital twins) in a manufacturing context.
Skills & Competencies
Excellent business acumen with the ability to connect IT strategy to operations KPIs (OEE, yield, throughput, customer fill rate, etc.).
Strong project management and vendor management skills.
Knowledge of regulatory and quality standards in food manufacturing.
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Success Metrics
Business value delivered (ROI, cost savings, process improvements).
Stakeholder satisfaction (measured by CSAT scores and feedback).
Team development and engagement (staff retention, skill growth, engagement survey results).
Service delivery and project execution (on‑time, on‑budget delivery, adoption rates).
Risk and compliance management (effective risk mitigation, audit results, compliance with internal controls).
Company Description Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is the Supply Chain and Business Shared Services Company supporting the Lindt & Sprungli family of brands, headquartered in Kansas City, MO.
Employment Conditions Employment by Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, and satisfactory employment and background checks.
Equal Opportunity Employer Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.
Salary Range
Stratham, NH: $150,000-175,000
Kansas City, MO: $145,000-170,000
San Leandro, CA: $165,000-190,000
#J-18808-Ljbffr