Job Title

Client: The Beer Store and Brewers Distributor Limited Position: Vice President, Information Technology Reports to: President Location: Bolton, Ontario (3/4 times a week) THE COMPANY Brewers Distributor Limited (BDL) is a private joint venture company owned by Labatt Breweries of Canada and Molson Breweries for the wholesale distribution of beer and the collection of returnable, refillable and recyclable beer containers within the four Western Canadian Provinces, as well as Northwest Territories and the Yukon. The overall goal of the distribution alliance between the shareholder companies in Western Canada, is to maximize cost and service performance within the two distinct business processes wholesale distribution of beer, and the collection of returnable, recyclable beer containers. The Beer Store and BDL operate six distribution centers and four cross dock facilities in the Western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia). These facilities serve licensed customers throughout Western Canada and the Northern Territories. The Beer Store is the primary distribution and sales channel for beer in Ontario and is owned by 30+ Ontario-based brewers! Through our Retail Stores, Distribution Centres, Draught Services, Customer Contact Centre and our Corporate Office, we form one large team that is passionate about the beer business. The Beer Store is proud to foster a respectful and inclusive culture that expands and leverages the diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives of our team members to deliver exceptional service for our customers. We continue to be successful by working together, respecting each other, having a positive attitude and by trying new and innovative ideas. Not only are we knowledgeable, passionate and loyal ambassadors for beer, we''re also health and safety advocates, environmental champions, DEIB enthusiasts and we give proudly back to our communities. For more information about the Beer Store and Brewers Distributor Ltd, please visit and THE OPPORTUNITY The Vice President, Information Technology, will contribute to the competitiveness, profitability and efficiency of TBS & BDL, through effective leadership of the IT function and by applying practical approaches to building and managing business systems and data which are necessary to operate the business and to achieve the business goals. Primary focus for this role is the overall strategic direction and guidance of TBS & BDL''s IT function. This individual is accountable mainly for systems analysis, programming, software, hardware, and services acquisition, application systems supporting all corporate areas, stores and warehouse locations. The VP, IT prepares the IT business plans that support the business requirements and determines priorities within IT, utilizing resources in the best way possible to fulfill the business goals. They will oversee all IT project development and operations to ensure establishment and achievement of superior customer service and efficiency targets. They will also be responsible for managing expectations of the stakeholders regarding IT capabilities and deliverables and managing conflicts that arise regarding business priorities and the direction of business system deliverables. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Strategic IT Leadership 35% Define, develop, and execute IT vision, strategies, roadmaps, and digital transformation initiatives that align with business objectives Ensure technology investments deliver business value and continue to support our competitive advantage Accountable for IT Strategy approved budget and ensuring cost management, optimization and alignment Collaborate with executive leaders and cross-functional teams to identify technology needs, provide strategic guidance and deliver solutions Drive complex IT projects from conception to completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope and within budget Maintain strong stakeholder relationships, oversee vendor relationships, evaluate investment and enhancement opportunities, negotiate contracts, contain costs Lead and develop a division of 30+ employees IT Operations & Service Delivery 30% Oversee infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity and vendor management to ensure reliable, secure and efficient IT services across all business units, including our external partners Ensuring system uptime > 99.9% (SAP, Microsoft for example) Implement key performance indicators to measure system reliability, user experience, and overall effectiveness Analyze data and insights to make data-driven decisions for technological improvements, to refine strategies or drive strategic enhancements, and allocate resources effectively to achieve targets/goals Enterprise Systems & Innovation 25% Drive technological advancement and efficiency across the organization through implementation and optimization of enterprise systems (SAP ERP, SAP POS, ORTEC, Fleet tracking, warehouse systems, including automation, voice pick) Monitor emerging technologies, industry trends, and cybersecurity threats; make recommendations for strategic adoption to enhance operations and safeguard the organization, mitigate the risk Ensure IT infrastructure supports company growth and operational needs Identify and capitalize on opportunities to drive cost optimization by implementing strategic automation initiatives across the business Governance, Risk & Compliance 10% Support & establish IT governance frameworks, balance innovation and manage risk, while meeting demands of regulatory compliance and security requirements Risk mitigation plans updated quarterly, with mock scenarios completed annually Compliance with cybersecurity standards including but not limited to PCI Establish governance, policies, and procedures to protect data and ensure compliance with regulations KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Education Bachelor''s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or Business MBA, Master''s of Science in Information Technology or Master''s of IT Management is preferred Executive education programs in digital transformation, cybersecurity, or enterprise architecture is an asset Experience 15+ years'' experience in senior level technology roles, or minimum 10 years'' experience at the executive level, with a focus on project management and program delivery, operational and strategic planning, resource and budget management, technology implementation, and information service support. Has a proven track record of leading enterprise IT organizations through periods of modernization, or technical transformation. 8+ years'' experience in leading and inspiring high-performing teams Experience working with SAP ERP systems is required; experience with On-Prem & S4Hana is an asset Expert knowledge in POS systems, SAP, fleet tracking, warehouse consolidation and labor resources tracking Skills Excellent critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills to make accurate decisions in risk-management situations Advanced proficiency utilizing MS Office Suite with the ability to build and deliver spreadsheets, reports, and presentations to all levels of the organization. Excellent interpersonal skills required to work with all levels of the business, including external stakeholders, and vendors. Skilled in leveraging those partnerships to achieve business objectives and enhance organizational performance. Demonstrates strong leadership that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, inspires and mentors employees, encouraging them to think critically, and supports learning & development Skilled in aligning technology and business strategies through strong planning, fiscal responsibility, project execution, and effective stakeholder negotiation Excellent communication skills demonstrated by ability to explain technical concepts and theories to non-technical audiences, to walk through complex/technical issues and arrive at desired outcomes Strong active listening skills necessary to understand the needs of the business and translate into actionable strategies and solutions Deep understanding of infrastructure, enterprise applications, systems integration and cloud services CONTACT INFORMATION Tim Hewat, Head of Executive Search, NA Melanie Barbieri, Senior Consultant About LHH Knightsbridge