IT Operation Manager (m/w/d) - Western Europe

ALS is a global leader in testing, providing comprehensive testing solutions to clients in a wide range of industries around the world. Using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative methodologies, our dedicated international teams deliver the highest-quality testing services and personalised solutions supported by local expertise. The ALS mission is helping our clients leverage the power of data-driven insights for a safer and healthier world.



About the role

The IT Manager (Western Europe) is responsible for leading regional IT operations, managing a team of IT professionals, and acting as the strategic Business Relationship Manager (BRM) between IT and the business. This role carries full accountability for regional IT Operations team performance, budget management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring IT capabilities are aligned with business objectives and delivered to the highest standard across all locations within the Western Europe region.

 

Requirements

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in IT operations management, business relationship management, or similar roles.
• Experience in IT budget management, cost control, and vendor coordination
• Strong understanding of ITIL, service management, and infrastructure support
• Experience managing location-level IT operations and stakeholder engagement
• Strong competencies in strategic thinking, relationship building, problem solving, and cross-functional communication
• Fluency in German and English for daily collaboration in both teams
• Willingness to travel to the french site as required (approx. once every quarter)

 

Responsibitities

 

Business Relationship Management (BRM)

• Act as the primary strategic IT partner for senior business stakeholders across Western Europe, building trusted, long-term relationships.

• Identify and understand business needs, translating them into actionable IT service requirements, roadmaps, and improvement initiatives.

• Lead demand planning discussions, ensuring IT investments and services are aligned to business priorities and growth plans.

• Proactively communicate IT strategy, service performance, and key initiatives to regional stakeholders, ensuring transparency and confidence in IT delivery.

• Champion the value of IT within the business, positioning the team as a strategic enabler rather than a reactive support function.

• Facilitate demand planning and ensure IT services support business goals.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Directly manage and develop a regional IT Operational team across Western Europe, fostering a high-performance culture.

• Set clear objectives, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to team members at all levels.

• Drive a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement across the regional IT team.

• Collaborate with global IT functions including Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Project Management to ensure seamless service delivery.

• Recruit, onboard, and retain IT talent to ensure the team is appropriately resourced to meet business demands.

• Location IT asset management: Maintain accurate inventory of IT assets, ensure lifecycle management, and support audits.

• Hands and feet support for infrastructure team: Assist with hardware installations, network patching, and server room activities.

• Location IT budget management: Manage and track IT operational ^ Capex budgets, including procurement and cost optimisation.

• Printer support: Oversee printer fleet management, including maintenance, consumables, and vendor coordination.

• IT support for office build, move, change (BMC): Coordinate IT setup and relocation activities during office expansions, moves, or reconfigurations.

• Conference room support: Ensure AV systems and conferencing tools are operational and supported during meetings and events.

• EUC devices procurement: Manage procurement and deployment of end-user computing devices in alignment with standards and budget.

• Lab equipment support liaison: Act as the IT point of contact for lab equipment support, coordinating with vendors and internal teams.

Budget Management & Financial Oversight

• Own and manage the Western Europe regional IT operational & capex budgets, including forecasting, tracking, and reporting on all IT expenditure.

• Drive cost optimisation initiatives without compromising service quality, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

• Oversee procurement of IT assets, end-user computing devices, and third-party services in line with approved budgets and global standards.

• Provide regular budget performance reports to senior leadership, ensuring full transparency on spend versus plan.

• Manage vendor contracts and negotiate commercially favorable agreements with local IT suppliers and service providers.

 

Operational IT Management

• Manage local IT support teams and coordinate with regional IT manager & global IT functions.

• Oversee regional helpdesk and L2+ support operations across Western Europe, ensuring the timely and efficient resolution of end-user issues, advanced troubleshooting, and adherence to agreed SLA

• Maintain oversight of regional IT asset management, ensuring accurate inventory, lifecycle management, and compliance with audit requirements.

• Ensure effective hands-and-feet support for the infrastructure team, including hardware installations, network patching, and server room activities.

• Manage printer fleet operations, AV/conferencing systems, and end-user device procurement across the region.

• Coordinate IT support for office build, move, and change (BMC) activities, including expansions, relocations, and reconfigurations.

• Serve as the regional IT liaison for lab equipment support, coordinating with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure continuity of operations.

• Mentor staff and promote a culture of service excellence.

• Collaborate with enterprise architecture, infrastructure team, application management team, cybersecurity, and project management teams.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all regional IT operations across Western Europe adhere to global standards, internal policies, and applicable external regulations.

• Lead and support audit activities, risk assessments, and compliance documentation across the region.

• Maintain accurate operational documentation and provide governance reporting to regional and global leadership.

• Ensure robust change management processes are followed for all IT changes within the region.

Vendor & Service Management

• Manage relationships with Western Europe IT vendors and managed service providers, holding them accountable to agreed SLAs and performance standards.

• Monitor service performance and drive timely resolution of escalated issues, ensuring minimal business impact.

• Lead vendor reviews and identify opportunities to consolidate or enhance third-party service arrangements.

 

What we offer

Time to Recharge: 30 days of vacation, flexible working hours, 

Smooth Start & Growth: Structured onboarding and personalized development opportunities

Health & Fitness: Company fitness programs (Hansefit + EGYM Wellpass), corporate health management

Security & Support: Company pension plan, capital-forming benefits

Exclusive Perks: Job bike leasing, access to employee discount platforms