VP of Automation Strategy & Planning

VP of Automation Strategy & Planning

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About the Function

Global Automation Strategy and Planning is responsible for overseeing the plan, implementation, and management of automation technologies. This function leads the development and scaling of transformative automation programs across all Global Operations, Service, and Delivery while working with global leaders across operations, commercial, product, and technology teams.

What will you be doing?

Circana is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as the Vice President of Automation Strategy & Planning. This executive role is pivotal to the success of a transformative initiative aimed at building advanced automation capabilities and driving operational efficiency through integrated automation, micro-automations, and core technology upgrades. The VP will oversee the holistic execution of the program, championing innovation and capability development in automation while ensuring standardized, scalable approaches across the portfolio.

With a focus on the "art of the possible," this position will lead the exploration and adoption of cutting-edge automation technologies to enable transformative change. This role involves managing a multi-year program and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver measurable value, with an emphasis on capability building and organizational transformation. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a proven track record in program management, automation strategy, and organizational transformation, capable of navigating complex dependencies and driving competitive advantages for Circana.

Job Responsibilities

• Program Management and Oversight: Lead the overall automation program, including strategic prioritization of initiatives across core tech projects and micro-automations. Track progress and quantify benefits to ensure alignment with business objectives and timelines, with a primary focus on capability building and innovation.
• Innovation Leadership: Push the boundaries of innovation by exploring and advocating for the "art of the possible" in automation technologies. Identify and develop new capabilities and opportunities while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Standardization and Governance: Manage the standardization of tools, methodologies, and approaches across the entire program portfolio to promote consistency, efficiency, and scalability. Oversee the development and sharing of best practices in automation.
• Stakeholder Coordination and Interlocks: Facilitate bi-weekly interlock calls between Operations, Technology Partners, and other key stakeholders. Coordinate dependencies between large-scale core tech projects and rapid micro-automation implementations to mitigate risks and ensure seamless integration.
• Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify, assess, and manage portfolio-level risks and issues, implementing mitigation strategies to safeguard program delivery and value realization.
• Team Leadership and Resourcing: Build and lead a high-performing Leadership team to oversee the program and resource hub for automation initiatives.
• Performance Metrics and Reporting: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for program success, such as capability growth, automation velocity, and value creation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration