Job Description:
We are seeking a transformational IT leader to drive operational excellence and strategic enablement across our European Reference Lab footprint. This Director of IT Operations Europe will be responsible for enhancing our regional IT operations, uplifting service delivery standards, and supporting the modernization of core systems to align with Mars Science and Diagnostics (SDx) global digital strategy and will report to the Chief Technology Officer SDx. This position is part of a broader technology transformation effort, with emphasis on lab IT harmonization, capability building, and integration readiness across our growing European diagnostics network.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead and coordinate IT service delivery and infrastructure support for reference labs across Europe, ensuring operational resilience and high service quality.
- Act as a strategic partner to Lab Operations leadership, identifying and resolving technology friction points that impact lab efficiency and customer experience.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for reference lab IT operations during M&A integrations, including support for TSA exit plans and system transitions.
- Evaluate existing systems, tools, and vendor relationships; recommend improvements aligned with enterprise platforms and standards.
- Partner with Global Infrastructure & Operations and Cybersecurity teams to implement best practices in monitoring, incident management, and endpoint standardization.
- Establish and document processes, metrics, and KPIs to ensure operational visibility and drive continuous improvement.
- Coach and mentor regional technical staff, helping build future-ready capabilities across the team.
- Collaborate with architecture, security, and enterprise platform teams to ensure alignment with global technology roadmaps and governance standards.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- BA/BS degree Computer Science or equivalent degree and experience.
- 10 years of IT operations leadership experience in complex, distributed environments (healthcare, diagnostics, or regulated industries preferred)
- Strong background in lab or production environment support (preferred direct experience in reference labs or clinical diagnostics)
- Experience with service delivery improvement, ITIL practices, and infrastructure modernization
- Experience navigating M&A transitions and cross-functional integration initiatives
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Proven ability to manage through ambiguity and build relationships across regional and global teams
- Systems-minded leader who understands the operational importance of technology in healthcare diagnostics.
- Proven ability to effectively influence both frontline technical teams and executive leadership.
- Comfort with stepping into a transformative environment and laying foundations that scale.
- Business fluent knowledge of English (additional EU languages a plus)
- Ability to travel within Europe as needed
About Antech
Antech is a leader in veterinary diagnostics, driven by our passion for innovation that delivers better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services.
Note to Search Firms/Agencies
Antech Diagnostics, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Antech) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Antech and the requisition is position-specific. Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Antech will be deemed the sole property of Antech and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Antech.
Skills Required
- BA/BS degree in Computer Science or equivalent degree and experience
- 10 years of IT operations leadership experience in complex, distributed environments
- Strong background in lab or production environment support
- Experience with service delivery improvement and ITIL practices
- Experience navigating M&A transitions and cross-functional integration initiatives
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
-
Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
