Plant IT Manager at Abbott in Pokeno, Waikato Region, New Zealand

Plant IT Manager Location: New Zealand - Waikato JOB DESCRIPTION: Primary Function/Primary Goals/Objectives: Responsible for managing the IT portfolio of the manufacturing site. Ensure compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional policies and procedures. Ensure adherence to all relevant governmental and regulatory requirements. Champion change and innovation by encouraging creativity, supporting new ideas, and recognizing individuals who initiate improvements. Proactively identify opportunities to leverage IT for business growth, process improvement, and cost efficiencies. Ensure that IT solutions meet business needs. Serve as the primary point of contact for all IT requirements of the manufacturing site and prioritize IT demand accordingly. Provide leadership through setting expectations, coaching, counseling, developing team members, conducting evaluations, giving feedback, hiring, and managing disciplinary actions or separations. Determine and develop the appropriate mix of skill sets within the team. Lead key IT functions include project management, business systems consulting, applications development and support, local site infrastructure, distributed computing support, data communications, local networking, and ensuring robust data management and integrity. Monitor and maintain systems, resolving issues as they arise. Analyze software and hardware problems and coordinate effective solutions. Plan, schedule, test, and coordinate system software upgrades. Ensure the availability and reliability of systems and application environments through proactive and reactive maintenance. Ensure that IT applications align with and support organizational objectives. Communicate effectively with team members and external stakeholders on matters related to IT applications. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively within a team comprising both infrastructure and application specialists. Execute IT projects deployed locally or driven by corporate initiatives. Maintain strong awareness and appreciation of internal and external customer needs. Manage relationships with IT suppliers where applicable. Demonstrate the ability to multitask and work with minimal supervision. This role is highly hands‑on, requiring technical competencies across servers, networks, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, and enterprise applications, while also providing leadership to a small IT team and overseeing critical operational activities. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem‑solver who can dive deep into technical issues, ensure operational stability, and deliver scalable solutions that support business growth. Major Responsibilities: Manage all IS&T services for the plant and serve as the primary IT liaison for site operations. Collaborate closely with corporate IT, Engineering, and business process owners to analyze requirements and implement effective systems and solutions. Lead a team of system and support analysts; provide direction, coaching, and technical guidance. Ensure effective implementation and maintenance of validated and non‑validated systems, including quality and compliance requirements. Perform operational analysis of data collection systems and control software. Provide regular updates, reports, and evaluations to project teams and stakeholders. Conduct technical training for internal and external users across various systems. Lead design reviews to ensure solutions meet operational and business needs. Ensure testing, change control, and documentation meet corporate policies and regulatory standards. Oversee integration of hardware, software, communication protocols, and user interfaces. Perform solution testing and support computer system validation activities. Ensure high availability and reliability of applications and plant systems. Work with cybersecurity, audit, and OT teams to ensure systems and applications meet compliance and security requirements. Skills/Experience Requirements: More than 5 years of relevant experience preferred, including 3 years of system management, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. It should also include project management skills, systems management, employee development, and strategic system planning input. Some understanding of GAMP 5 or SQA (Software Quality Assurance) or equivalent knowledge preferred, have worked in a regulated environment/GMP regulation but not mandatory. Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in software engineering, business, information systems, engineering or a discipline closely related to the client area served. The base pay for this position is N/A In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: IT Services & Solutions Delivery DIVISION: BTS Business Technology Services LOCATION: New Zealand > Waikato: Pokeno Plant ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Not Applicable