Head of Operations / Center Head

Purpose of the Job (Main Objective): 

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Operations / Center Head to lead our Shared Services Center, which supports a group of companies across Procurement, Order to Cash (O2C), Procure to Pay (P2P), Master Data Management, and Finance operations. This role is critical in driving operational excellence, service delivery, stakeholder satisfaction, and continuous improvement across all SSC functions 

Deliverables / Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership 

- Define and execute the SSC’s strategic roadmap aligned with group business objectives. - Act as a change agent to drive transformation, automation, and process optimization. - Build and maintain strong relationships with business unit leaders and key stakeholders. 

Operational Management 

- Oversee day-to-day operations across all SSC functions: Procurement, O2C, P2P, Master Data, and Finance. - Ensure service level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators (KPIs), and quality standards are consistently met or exceeded. - Monitor and manage operational risks, compliance, and internal controls. 

People Leadership 

- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across multiple functions. - Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. - Drive employee engagement and talent development initiatives. 

Process Excellence & Technology 

- Champion process standardization, automation, and digital transformation initiatives. - Collaborate with IT and transformation teams to implement new tools and technologies. - Leverage data and analytics to drive insights and decision-making. 

Financial & Performance Management 

Manage SSC budgets, cost allocations, and financial performance. 

Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without compromising service quality. 

Provide regular performance reports and insights to executive leadership. 

Define and manage operating metrics, such as PS utilization, backlog, project margin, CSAT/NPS, resolution times, and ticket deflection. 

Lead strategic planning and execution of departmental OKRs aligned with company growth and profitability goals. 

AI & Automation Leadership 

Champion the adoption of AI tools, automation, and self-service platforms to increase scalability and operational efficiency. 

Implement and continuously improve AI-powered support agents and customer-facing workflows to reduce reliance on human intervention. 

Embed AI capabilities into the service catalog and internal processes, unlocking new revenue and efficiency opportunities. 

Provide training and tooling that enables teams to effectively collaborate with AI in daily operations. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Operations, or related field (MBA or equivalent preferred). 

- 20+ years of progressive experience in shared services, BPO, or global business services, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role. 

- Proven track record of managing multi-functional teams and delivering operational excellence. 

- Strong understanding of end-to-end processes in Procurement, O2C, P2P, and Finance. 

- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and automation tools (e.g., RPA, workflow platforms). 

- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills 

Preferred Attributes 

• Experience in a multi-entity or multinational environment. 
• Exposure to Lean Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies. 
• High adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving environment. 
• Strong EQ: you’re both highly self-aware and perceptive toward the Executive Director and other key relationships. You serve as a connector who’s aware of every key project and can see the big picture across the company. 
• Data savvy: You have a strong grasp of financial + data analysis and performance metrics and your decision is informed by data. 

Key Competencies Required: 

Strategic Thinking and Planning 

Financial Acumen and Budget Management 

Process Optimisation and Continuous improvement 

Risk Management and Compliance 

Data Analysis and Decision Making 

Communication and Interpersonal Skills 

Change Management 

Team Management and Development 

Project Management 

Technological Proficiency 

Customer Focus 

Supply Chain and Vendor Management 

Internal and External Co-ordination