Director, IT Business Office - Valent North America LLC

About Us:

Valent North America LLC is the shared services organization of Valent U.S.A. LLC and Valent BioSciences LLC, which are part of the Valent group of companies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Valent North America unites the corporate Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, and Environmental Health & Safety functions to maximize service delivery practices across the Valent group of companies.

Valent U.S.A. engages in the development, registration, sales, and marketing of integrated technological solutions for crop production and pest management that deliver value for customers and stakeholders. Valent BioSciences is a worldwide leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products for the agriculture, public health, and forest health markets. Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan's leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally that support a wide variety of industries and help enhance peoples' daily lives.

General Description:

Responsible for managing the IT project portfolio, developing and tracking annual IT budgets, overseeing IT procurement and supplier management processes, and supporting internal IT compliance and governance processes. This role will support compliance with Japanese Sarbanes Oxley. Will collaborate closely with senior business and IT leadership to manage the annual IT planning and intake process, in addition to overseeing key IT operational areas such as vendor/contract management, service catalog management, and change management.

Principal Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and execute the IT Business Office strategy in alignment with overall IT and organizational goals.
• Establish and maintain governance structures that ensure compliance, efficiency, and consistency across all IT business processes.
• Collaborate with IT leadership to create a strategic roadmap for IT investments and initiatives that deliver measurable business value.
• Portfolio & Project Management
• Oversee intake and demand management processes for new IT requests, ensuring that business needs are clearly defined, prioritized, and aligned with resource capacity.
• Manage the IT project portfolio to ensure alignment with strategic objectives, prioritization of initiatives, and efficient use of resources.
• Oversee project management practices, tracking project performance against defined scope, timelines, and budgets.
• Implement resource management frameworks and tools that optimize staff allocation and utilization across projects and operational activities.
• Oversee time-tracking processes and systems, ensuring accurate reporting and analysis of resource investments.
• Drive continuous improvement in intake processes, working with stakeholders to optimize request evaluation and approval workflows.
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights on project status, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Leverage data to forecast staffing needs and develop capacity plans in partnership with IT leadership

IT Compliance Management

• Collaborate with other IT functional leaders (e.g., Security, Infrastructure, Applications) to develop, implement, and monitor compliance standards and protocols.
• Ensure all IT business processes adhere to relevant internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices (e.g., SOX, GDPR, etc.).
• Proactively identify compliance risks and drive the creation of action plans to mitigate and address these risks.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Direct procurement activities, including vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Ensure compliance with corporate procurement policies, industry regulations, and best practices.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key vendors and suppliers to optimize cost, quality, and service levels.

Service Catalog Management

• Lead the design, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the IT service catalog, ensuring it accurately reflects current and evolving IT offerings.
• Collaborate with service owners to define service-level agreements (SLAs), pricing, and performance metrics.
• Drive service adoption and awareness across the organization.

Change Communication & Change Management

• Partner with stakeholders to plan and execute communication strategies that support organizational readiness for IT changes.
• Implement best-practice change management methodologies, ensuring user engagement, adoption, and satisfaction.
• Monitor change impact and measure success to inform continuous improvement.

Processes & Standards

• Define, implement, and enforce processes and standards for the IT Business Office, ensuring consistent application and continuous improvement.
• Oversee documentation, training, and knowledge management related to policies, procedures, and standards.

Digital Transformation & Innovation

• Champion digital transformation initiatives that streamline IT operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive business value.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, trends, and best practices to recommend innovative solutions that support the organization's strategic goals.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to pilot and scale new digital solutions and capabilities.

IT Finance, Allocations & Chargebacks

• Collaborate with Finance and Accounting teams to develop and manage IT budgets, forecasts, and financial analyses.
• Oversee chargeback models and allocation methodologies, ensuring cost transparency and equitable distribution of IT expenses.
• Monitor financial performance, identify cost-saving opportunities, and recommend corrective actions as needed.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build and lead a high-performing IT Business Office team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive operational excellence.

Education & Experience:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Information Technology, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in managing IT portfolio projects, operational compliance, finance, vendor management, or related disciplines.
• 7+ years of people manager experience
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex IT procurement, contract negotiations, and supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated success in portfolio/project management, including oversight of multiple, concurrent initiatives.
• Experience leading IT compliance initiatives, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements (e.g., SOX, GDPR, PCI-DSS) and internal policies.
• Proven track record driving digital transformation (DX) and innovation, including the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies.

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of ITIL, PMO methodologies, and best practices for IT service management.
• Familiarity with financial planning, budgeting, chargeback, and cost-allocation models within IT organizations.
• Solid understanding of compliance frameworks and their application within an IT context.
• Docusign Envelope ID: 1EB1E19D-F869-42B1-A47F-C4BEBBC0CA7B
• Proficiency with relevant tools and platforms (e.g., ERP systems, project management tools, service management tools).
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and innovation practices to support DX initiatives.

Leadership & Soft Skills:

• Exceptional leadership, team building, and people-management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to translate data into actionable insights and drive decision-making.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and influence stakeholders across diverse teams

Physical Demands and Work Environment (OFFICE Position)

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands include constant sitting, walking, standing, simple grasping and fine manipulation with hands; frequent bending at the neck and waist; and occasional squatting, climbing, kneeling, crawling, twisting at the neck and waist, power grasping, pushing and pulling with hands, reaching above shoulder level, lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.
• Work Environment includes exposure to or working in or around equipment and machinery including a computer keyboard and mouse.
• Frequency Definitions: Occasional = Up to 10%

What We Offer
We recognize that compensation and benefits play a crucial role in your career decisions. That's why we're dedicated to equitable pay practices and transparency in how we reward our employees.

Base Salary: The estimated annual base salary for this position ranges from:

$220,000 to $240,000. Individual pay is based upon location, skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Incentives: All full-time employees are eligible for an incentive program or profit-sharing program in addition to their base salary.

Benefits:
High-quality healthcare coverage starting on day one, with options for medical (HSA/HRA), vision, and dental plans
5% company contribution to your 401(k), plus a quarterly discretionary bonus
Immediate 100% vesting of all retirement contributions
Financial assistance programs to support your goals
Life and disability insurance for added security
Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days
Flexible work arrangements available

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

At Valent Group of Companies, we're proud to power a sustainable future through our work. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been at the core of our culture since the beginning. Today, they continue to drive everything we do.

Join us in making a meaningful impact and contributing to a better world.
Valent U.S.A., Valent North America LLC, Valent BioSciences LLC and Mycorrhizal Applications LLC are an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.

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