Group Manager IT Operations

About us BME is a leading European distributor in building equipment with presence across 8 countries, 14.000 people, 11 Opco's and a turn-over of about 6 billion/year. We are a private equity and a part of Blackstone portfolio group of companies. About the role BME Group is seeking an experienced Group Manager IT Operations to lead the transformation and operational excellence of our IT infrastructure across seven European countries. This role is instrumental in defining and executing our IT operations strategy, with a strong focus on harmonization, consolidation, cloud transformation (MS Azure), and hybrid environments. You will oversee a predominantly cloud-based infrastructure, while maintaining accountability for high performance, security, scalability, and cost efficiency. There is no team to lead; this is a strategic role at the holding level that requires close collaboration with OpCo IT leaders, Group IT teams, and key business stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and alignment across all IT operations. Key Responsibilities Define and implement the group-wide IT operations strategy aligned with BME’s digital transformation goals Lead the standardization and consolidation of IT infrastructure across OpCos (Azure cloud and on-premise), driving harmonization and operational efficiency Develop and manage a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) to support cloud governance, security, cost control, and enablement Ensure optimal performance, scalability, and cost optimization of Azure cloud and on-premise environments Lead modernization and migration of legacy systems, including integration and system consolidation Implement and maintain hybrid cloud operating models and best practices, including security frameworks and FinOps Support and evolve the modern workplace management environment for the BME Group head office Mature the SD-WAN global architecture and ensure operational excellence in networking and connectivity Strengthen IT service management (ITSM) processes including incident, problem, and change management in line with ITIL best practices Define and monitor SLAs and KPIs to ensure high availability, service reliability, and end-user satisfaction Drive automation, AIOps, and self-service initiatives to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual workload Oversee disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (BC) planning, ensuring cyber resilience and operational stability Partner with Group and local security functions to maintain a zero-trust security model and enforce security baselines Ensure full compliance with GDPR, cybersecurity standards, and industry regulations Lead vendor management, contract negotiations, and performance tracking for cloud, data center, and network providers Manage software license usage, procurement strategy, and cloud resource allocation Act as a strategic advisor to senior stakeholders on infrastructure trends, emerging technologies, and long-term IT direction Your Profile 5 years of leadership experience in IT infrastructure and operations within a multi-national, multi-site organization Proven track record in leading cloud transformation (MS Azure), infrastructure modernization, and IT consolidation programs Strong understanding of hybrid cloud architecture, IT security, networking, automation, and service operations Hands-on experience with ITSM frameworks (e.g., ITIL), DevOps practices, AIOps tooling, and performance engineering Demonstrated success in fostering a high-performing, resilient IT operations team Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align local and group-wide priorities Fluent in English; fluency in another European language is a plus Why Join Us This is a high-impact role at the heart of BME’s digital transformation journey. You’ll be leading a critical function that shapes the future of IT operations across a diverse and ambitious organization. We offer a collaborative, international environment with significant room for innovation and ownership. Together We Build! Location Schiphol and home-office (hybrid: 3 days/week at Schiphol as per BME policy)

Location: Amsterdam area, NL

Posted Date: 7/12/2025