Director IT Operations, Europe - Antech Labs - Germany - Mars Wrigley Confectionery UK Limited

JOB DESCRIPTION

About Antech

Antech is a leader in veterinary diagnostics, driven by our passion for innovation that delivers better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services.

About Mars:Mars is a family-owned business with more than $50 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5, SKITTLES®, BEN'S ORIGINAL® and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA and Pet Partners.Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 150,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Job Description:

We are seeking a transformational IT leader to drive operational excellence and strategic enablement across our European Reference Lab footprint. This Director of IT Operations Europe will be responsible for enhancing our regional IT operations, uplifting service delivery standards, and supporting the modernization of core systems to align with Mars Science and Diagnostics (SDx) global digital strategy and will report to the Chief Technology Officer SDx. This position is part of a broader technology transformation effort, with emphasis on lab IT harmonization, capability building, and integration readiness across our growing European diagnostics network.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and coordinate IT service delivery and infrastructure support for reference labs across Europe, ensuring operational resilience and high service quality.
• Act as a strategic partner to Lab Operations leadership, identifying and resolving technology friction points that impact lab efficiency and customer experience.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for reference lab IT operations during M&A integrations, including support for TSA exit plans and system transitions.
• Evaluate existing systems, tools, and vendor relationships; recommend improvements aligned with enterprise platforms and standards.
• Partner with Global Infrastructure & Operations and Cybersecurity teams to implement best practices in monitoring, incident management, and endpoint standardization.
• Establish and document processes, metrics, and KPIs to ensure operational visibility and drive continuous improvement.
• Coach and mentor regional technical staff, helping build future-ready capabilities across the team.
• Collaborate with architecture, security, and enterprise platform teams to ensure alignment with global technology roadmaps and governance standards.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• BA/BS degree Computer Science or equivalent degree and experience.
• 10 years of IT operations leadership experience in complex, distributed environments (healthcare, diagnostics, or regulated industries preferred)
• Strong background in lab or production environment support (preferred direct experience in reference labs or clinical diagnostics)
• Experience with service delivery improvement, ITIL practices, and infrastructure modernization
• Experience navigating M&A transitions and cross-functional integration initiatives

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proven ability to manage through ambiguity and build relationships across regional and global teams
• Systems-minded leader who understands the operational importance of technology in healthcare diagnostics.
• Proven ability to effectively influence both frontline technical teams and executive leadership.
• Comfort with stepping into a transformative environment and laying foundations that scale.
• Business fluent knowledge of English (additional EU languages a plus)
• Ability to travel within Europe as needed

Note to Search Firms/Agencies

Antech Diagnostics, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Antech) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Antech and the requisition is position-specific. Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Antech will be deemed the sole property of Antech and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Antech.

Commitment to Equal Employer Opportunities:Mars is an equal opportunity employer and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.
Note to Search Firms/Agencies:
Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific. Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.

Company name: StepStone Deutschland GmbH