Americana Restaurants - Center Head - Offshore IT Center Of Excellence (10-15 yrs)

Location: Mohali (Chandigarh, India)

Experience: 10-15 Years

About Americana Restaurants International PLC:

Americana Restaurants International PLC is a pioneering force in the MENA region and Kazakhstan's Out of Home Dining industry, and ranks among the world's leading operators of Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and casual dining establishments.

With an extensive portfolio of iconic global brands and a dominant regional presence, we have consistently driven growth and innovation for over half a century.

Our expansive network of 2,500 restaurants spans 12 markets throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Kazakhstan, from Kazakhstan in the east to Morocco in the west.

Leveraging unparalleled local knowledge and capabilities, we are key players in our core markets with significant potential for further growth.

Our dedicated team of over 40,000 talented individuals strives to create memorable moments through exceptional food, superior service, and outstanding experiences.

Position Overview:

- We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to head our Center of Excellence in Chandigarh, India.

- This center will be instrumental in providing product development, IT support, and implementing IT best practices for our global operations.

- As the Center of Excellence Leader in Chandigarh, India, we need someone who can resonate with and embody Americana's core values of customer obsession, ownership, excellence, collaboration, integrity, innovation and humility.

- Your role will be pivotal in not only leading technological advancements but also in instilling and propagating these core values within the team.

- By promoting a culture that emphasizes these values, you will ensure that the offshore center aligns seamlessly with Americana's strategic goals and contributes to its enduring success and growth on a global scale.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead and grow the Offshore IT Center of Excellence, managing overall operations including planning, budgeting, staffing, and performance management.

- Ensure timely and efficient delivery of IT projects and services, adhering to agreed scope, quality, and cost parameters.

- Establish and maintain effective communication and collaboration with onshore IT teams and other stakeholders.

- Implement and enforce IT best practices, standards, policies, and procedures across the offshore IT center.

- Oversee various administrative and HR activities for the center, such as budgeting, reporting, compliance, and employee relations.

- Develop and execute talent acquisition and retention strategies, ensuring the recruitment and development of top candidates to meet organizational needs.

- Identify and resolve issues or risks impacting the offshore IT center's performance or reputation.

- Provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to team members, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and teamwork.

- Demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, identifying and executing technology-related innovations to create value and drive continuous improvement in services and solutions.

- Maintain a strong focus on cost efficiency, finding optimal solutions that meet quality standards and budget constraints, while monitoring and evaluating expenses and performance to implement cost-saving measures as necessary.

Qualifications:

- Minimum of 10 years of experience in IT management, preferably in an offshore or global context.

- Proven track record in delivering complex IT projects and services, and managing diverse, cross-functional IT teams.

- Strong knowledge of IT best practices, methodologies, tools, and frameworks (e.g., Agile, Scrum, DevOps, ITIL, COBIT).

- Relevant IT certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL).

- Hands-on familiarity with the latest technologies and trends in the IT industry (e.g., cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data) would be preferred

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

- Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

- High level of integrity, professionalism, and customer orientation.

- Americana Restaurants International PLC offers an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic team within a globally recognized organization.

- If you are a seasoned IT professional with a passion for excellence and innovation, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of our offshore IT operations