Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Location: Remote First (UK) | Travel to Midlands sites
XT2704
Role Overview
We are supporting a Private Equity–owned pharmaceutical manufacturing business entering a critical phase of value creation and operational scaling. The CIO will be a core member of the executive leadership team, owning the end to end technology agenda across enterprise IT, OT, ERP, data, cyber security, and digital transformation.
This is not a caretaker role. The CIO will be accountable for turning technology into an EBITDA lever, enabling buy and build integration, reducing operational and compliance risk, modernising legacy platforms, and building scalable, exit ready systems.
The successful candidate will combine PE grade commercial instinct, deep experience in manufacturing and regulated operations, and a proven ability to execute transformation at pace under sponsor scrutiny.
Key Responsibilities
* Full accountability for IT, OT, ERP, data, cyber security, and digital risk
* Establish PE appropriate governance, investment discipline, and reporting
* Lead post acquisition technology integration across manufacturing sites and back office functions as they embark on an aggressive buy and build strategy.
* Rapidly assess acquired IT/OT estates, identify synergies, and execute harmonisation
* Balance speed, risk, and compliance in integration decisions
* Partner with Operations and Quality to improve OEE, throughput, batch release, and traceability
* Ensure regulatory compliance without over engineering or slowing execution
* Modernise ERP, MES, LIMS, QMS, and data platforms where required
* Retire technical debt while maintaining operational continuity
* Build scalable architecture aligned to growth and exit narratives
* Elevate data maturity to support performance management, pricing, forecasting, and M&A
* Drive automation and digitisation with clear ROI cases
* Strengthen cyber security posture across IT and OT environments
* Build and lead a fit for purpose internal team and external vendor ecosystem
* Act as a commercial executive, not a functional specialist
* Operate with urgency, transparency, and accountability
Candidate Profile
This role requires a battle tested PE CIO, comfortable operating in ambiguity, complexity, and regulated environments.
Essential
* Prior experience as CIO or equivalent senior technology leader in a PE backed business
* Direct experience supporting buy and build strategies and multi site integration
* Strong manufacturing background; pharmaceutical or highly regulated sectors strongly preferred
* Demonstrated ability to translate technology into EBITDA impact
* Board credible operator with experience working directly with PE sponsors
Highly Desirable
* Exposure to pharma manufacturing systems (ERP, MES, LIMS, QMS)
* Experience scaling businesses ahead of exit events
* Familiarity with OT/IT convergence in manufacturing environment
Location & Travel
* Remote first role within the UK
* Regular travel to Midlands based manufacturing sites
* Attendance at Board meetings and ad hoc sponsor sessions as required
If this role is of interesting please get in touch!