Head of IT - UK Operations
NewCold | Corby and Wakefield (Hybrid)
Salary: Negotiable depending on experience.
About NewCold
NewCold is a global leader in automated cold-chain logistics, operating highly automated, temperature-controlled warehousing and transport solutions for major food and retail customers. Our UK operations span Wakefield and Corby, running 24/7 automated sites that combine advanced warehouse control systems, robotics, and transport management technology. We are part of a growing international network, with UK operations connected closely to our global IT organisation based in Breda. This role sits at the heart of a live logistics operation, so a genuine understanding of warehousing and transport workflows is essential to success.
Shift Pattern
This is a hybrid role with regular on-site presence required at both Wakefield and Corby. The successful candidate will hold accountability for on-call escalation rota quality, although this is not a first-line on-call position. Flexibility will be required during major incidents or customer-critical events, along with occasional travel to Breda and other European sites.
Location
Based at Corby site site, with regular travel between Corby and Wakefield and occasional travel to Breda, Netherlands.
Benefits
- Competitive salary negotiable depending on experience.
- Enhanced pension contribution.
- Death in service benefit.
- Enhanced annual leave package.
- Employee Assistance Programme through Help at Hand and Grocery Aid.
- Funded eye test and contribution towards glasses.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- On-site canteen and complimentary coffee machines.
- Free on-site parking with strong transport links.
- Career progression within a growing, global organisation.
- Opportunity to shape a senior leadership role, with exposure to international IT operations and cross-country collaboration.
- Structured training and development, including access to NewCold Academy.
Job Responsibilities
As Head of IT - UK Operations, you will lead and modernise the UK IT function across our automated cold-chain sites, ensuring stable and proactive IT operations while acting as the key link between UK operations and our global IT organisation. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the UK IT team delivering first and second line support across MLS, TMS, MFCS and automation, EDI, infrastructure, and site technology, with a clear understanding of how these systems underpin day to day warehouse and transport operations.
- Ensuring effective 24/7 support coverage, including on-call rota oversight and incident triage standards, informed by an appreciation of operational priorities during peak periods and customer despatch windows.
- Maintaining high availability of critical systems supporting automated cranes, monorails, buffers, and customer integrations.
- Establishing governance structures, including a UK IT Steering Group and ITIL aligned processes for incident, change, and problem management.
- Building deeper local technical capability across SQL/Progress DB, EDI integration, automation systems, and networking.
- Owning infrastructure lifecycle planning, cyber security posture, and disaster recovery testing.
- Acting as senior IT contact for key UK customers, improving proactive incident communication and demonstrating credibility with operational and commercial stakeholders alike.
- Leading, coaching, and developing the UK IT team, introducing skills matrices, PDPs, and succession planning.
Requirements
- Proven experience working within a logistics, warehousing, distribution, or transport environment, with a strong understanding of how IT systems support operational performance, throughput, and customer service levels.
- Strong understanding of WMS/TMS platforms and warehouse automation systems.
- Experience with SQL or Progress DB troubleshooting and data analysis.
- Solid grounding in EDI standards, mapping, and integration flows.
- Good knowledge of network infrastructure, including switching, VLANs, and Wi-Fi.
- Experience with ITIL processes and service management tooling such as TopDesk.
- Proven leadership of IT teams within 24/7 operational environments, ideally within a logistics, manufacturing, or similarly fast paced sector.
- Strong stakeholder management skills across operations, commercial, and global IT teams.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical detail into clear business language for an operational audience.
- Experience working directly with external customers on IT issues and root cause analysis.
Pay: Up to £80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Transport links
Experience:
- Warehousing/Transport: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
