Head of Digitalization (m/f/d)

As Head of Digitalization, you will be the founding leader within our newly created CTO unit — an efficient, business-embedded team operating alongside our existing IT department. Your mandate is to drive digital transformation across the organization: from data infrastructure and process intelligence to smart factory enablement. You will work closely with existing IT functions — treating IT as a key enabler for digitalization, leveraging their infrastructure, systems expertise, and operational stability as the foundation on which digital initiatives are built. At the same time, you will be deeply embedded in business processes and the day-to-day realities of our operational departments — from Production and Quality to Procurement, Logistics, and Finance. You will report directly to the CTO and have the freedom — and responsibility — to shape the unit's direction, structure, and talent from day one. This is a true greenfield opportunity: the function does not yet exist and will need to be built from scratch, making this role ideal for someone who thrives on creating structure, processes, and teams where none existed before. Strategy & Leadership Develop and execute the company's digital strategy, with clear priorities for Phase 1 and a roadmap for the years ahead Build and lead the Digitalization unit (target: 20+ people), including hiring, onboarding, and developing the team Integrate existing Digital Teams into new Digitalization area Partner with business functions to identify, evaluate, and prioritize digitalization use cases — ensuring efforts are grounded in operational reality and deliver measurable value Define and manage interfaces with the existing IT department and all business functions Own the budget, vendor relationships, and external partnerships for the unit Report progress, value, and strategic direction to the executive team Automation Drive process intelligence initiatives — process mining, RPA, and low-code automation — in close collaboration with respective business departments Establish the OT/IT integration foundation, connecting shop floor data to business intelligence Digitalization Own the data platform agenda: architecture, governance, and the first analytics use cases Lead the digitalization of primary business processes — Production, Logistics, Quality, R&D, Sales, and Procurement — translating manual or fragmented workflows into scalable digital solutions Drive the digitalization of indirect process areas — including Finance, HR, Legal, and administrative functions — identifying efficiency gains and automation potential beyond the shop floor Master Data Management – harmonizing material, product, customer, and supplier data across systems Artificial Intelligence Define and drive the company's AI/ML agenda, identifying high-impact use cases in quality, predictive maintenance, demand forecasting, and beyond Ensure a solid data foundation — governance, quality, and accessibility — as the prerequisite for meaningful AI adoption Education & Certifications Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Informatics, Business Administration, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field Relevant certifications in cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS, GCP), AI/ML, agile methodologies, or digital transformation are a plus Professional Experience Extensive experience, including at least several years in a leadership role within a digital or technology function Proven track record in digital transformation, ideally in automotive, manufacturing, or industrial environments Experience bridging the gap between IT and OT, or between technology and business operations Demonstrated ability to build and scale teams, manage budgets, and deliver complex cross-functional programs Technical & Domain Knowledge Strong understanding of modern data technologies, cloud platforms, and automation solutions Hands-on experience with AI/ML technologies and a solid understanding of how to translate AI capabilities into practical business applications Familiarity with process mining, RPA, and low-code automation tools Understanding of OT environments, manufacturing systems (MES, SCADA), and shop floor data integration Knowledge of ERP landscapes (preferably SAP) and their role as a data backbone for digitalization Soft Skills & Working Style Proven ability to bridge the gap between deep business process knowledge and IT capabilities — translating operational challenges into digital solutions and technology possibilities into tangible business value Strategic thinker with the ability to communicate and influence at C-suite level Entrepreneurial mindset — you are comfortable building something new, not just managing what exists Collaborative and pragmatic — able to work across functions, cultures, and seniority levels Fluent in English; German is a strong advantage #LI-OR1