The opportunity

The opportunity
Haugen-Gruppen is a leading Nordic FMCG import, sales and marketing organisation, representing a broad portfolio of well-known international food and beverage brands across retail and foodservice. Its portfolio includes brands such as Twinings, Blue Dragon, Kikkoman, Patak’s and Monini.

For Haugen-Gruppen, we are searching for the Group’s first in-house Group Head of IT to lead the Group’s technology transformation and bring systems, processes, suppliers, data and the responsible use of AI together under one shared, business-led direction.
A central priority will be to lead the implementation of a new Group-wide ERP platform. Initial analysis and solution design have already been initiated, and the Group Head of IT will take ownership of turning this into a realistic programme and driving it through implementation, business adoption and long-term governance across six countries and seven legal entities.

Working closely with the Group CEO and CFO, the Group Head of IT will also lead and develop one internal IT resource and, over time, help shape the right future IT organisation and sourcing model, strengthen Group-wide governance and establish a more consistent approach to systems, processes, data, risk and supplier management.
This is a high-impact and hands-on leadership role combining strategic direction with direct ownership and execution, with the opportunity to shape the Group’s future IT function and operating model from the outset.

The role

Key responsibilities

• Develop and drive the Group IT roadmap, investment priorities and relevant decision-making forums.
• Lead the ERP programme through selection, implementation, adoption and long-term governance, with clear ownership of scope, business cases, decisions, risks and benefits realisation.
• Use the ERP transformation as a catalyst for process harmonisation across the Group, balancing common standards with legitimate local business requirements.
• Harmonise systems and ways of working across countries and functions.
• Create transparency and control across systems, contracts, licences, costs, suppliers and critical risks.
• Establish principles for target architecture, integrations, data and common technology standards, including the foundations required for responsible AI adoption.
• Identify pragmatic AI use cases, establish appropriate governance and select partners based on value, risk and maturity.
• Set the direction for cyber security, compliance and resilience, supported by specialist external expertise where appropriate.
• Strengthen commercial management of external suppliers and partners, including service quality, contractual performance and negotiations.
• Build effective decision-making relationships across the business and ensure that technology priorities are linked to financial impact, operational risk and business value.
• Lead and develop the initial internal team member and, over time, recommend the right internal organisation and sourcing model for the Group.

Initial priorities

• Establish transparency, governance and control over critical risks, suppliers, systems, contracts and ownership.
• Set a clear direction, business case and decision model for ERP and broader process harmonisation.
• Develop a realistic AI roadmap with prioritised use cases, robust governance and a practical adoption plan.

What success looks like

Within the first three months

• A fact-based overview of systems, processes, contracts, costs, suppliers, ownership and critical risks.
• A prioritised action plan supported by clear governance and effective decision-making forums.
• Strong working relationships with the Group CEO, Group CFO and key stakeholders across the countries and business functions.

Within the first twelve months

• A management-endorsed Group IT roadmap is being executed, with improved control over suppliers, contracts, budgets and critical risks.
• The direction, business case and governance for ERP and process harmonisation have been approved and translated into a credible delivery plan.
• Prioritised AI use cases are progressing against clear value, risk and governance criteria.
• A realistic plan for the future IT organisation and sourcing model is in place.

The successful candidate

• Experience as a Head of IT, IT Director or senior IT leader with responsibility across multiple business units, countries or legal entities.
• Demonstrable client-side ownership of a major ERP or business platform programme, including concrete responsibility for decisions, deliverables and measurable outcomes.
• Experience with full or partial ERP replacement projects and the ability to connect technology choices with process design and business adoption.
• A strong understanding of integration and cloud-based platforms, data and common architecture principles.
• A proven ability to create transparency, governance and commercial control across suppliers, contracts, budgets and service delivery.
• Sound business understanding across areas such as finance, supply chain, sales and operations, with the ability to translate technology into financial impact, risk and business value.
• A pragmatic perspective on AI, including identifying use cases, establishing governance, selecting partners and driving adoption.
• The confidence and communication skills to build commitment and make clear recommendations to the Group CEO and Group CFO without relying on formal authority or a large support structure.
• Professional fluency in English and a Scandinavian language.

Relevant background and personal fit

• Experience from FMCG, wholesale, food distribution, logistics, manufacturing or another international high-volume business would be advantageous.
• Curious, resilient and constructive, with the confidence to challenge respectfully, maintain relationships after disagreement and keep priorities moving forward.
• Motivated by genuine influence, visible ownership and the opportunity to build, rather than by title, prestige or team size.
• Comfortable moving between strategic discussions, programme leadership and practical problem-solving.

Location and ways of working

• Permanent base at Haugen-Gruppen’s Danish office in Greve, enabling close and continuous collaboration with the Group CEO and Group CFO.
• Group-wide responsibility across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Poland and the United Kingdom, with relevant travel.
• The candidate reports to the CFO and works closely with the Group CEO.

Why join Haugen-Gruppen?