Head Information

We are representing a diversified global leader in the manufacturing and supply of chemicals and specialized services for critical industries, including agriculture and mining. With a significant international footprint and a complex operational landscape, our client is committed to innovation, safety, and excellence. This role presents a unique opportunity to lead the cybersecurity function at the group level, influencing security posture across multiple continents and business divisions.

The core mission for this executive role is to define, develop, and lead the organization's global information and cybersecurity strategy. This is not a maintenance role; it is a transformative leadership opportunity. You will be responsible for protecting the organization's most critical digital assets—from corporate data to industrial control systems—against an evolving landscape of global threats. Your impact will be measured by your ability to build a resilient, strategic, and business-aligned security function that safeguards the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the company's information systems.

Performance Objectives for Year One

Success in this role will be defined by the achievement of the following key objectives within the first 12 months:

1. Develop & Implement a Global Security Strategy: Architect and roll out a comprehensive, forward-looking global security strategy that is directly aligned with the business objectives of the agriculture, mining, and chemical divisions. This strategy must be adaptable to emerging international threats and create a clear roadmap for the next 3-5 years.
2. Overhaul the Governance & Compliance Framework: Lead a full-scale review and enhancement of the information security governance framework to ensure and demonstrate compliance with key global regulations, including POPIA, GDPR, and other standards relevant to the company's key markets. The goal is to establish a robust, auditable program that effectively manages IT security risks.
3. Modernize the Security Architecture & Controls: Drive the architectural design and implementation of modernized security solutions. This includes deploying advanced data loss prevention measures and robust identity and access management controls to significantly harden defenses against unauthorized access and data exfiltration.
4. Establish Proactive Security Operations: Mature the organization's security operations by overhauling the incident response protocol to ensure rapid and effective management of security breaches. Concurrently, establish a proactive threat detection program, leveraging vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate risks before they are exploited.
5. Cultivate a Security-Aware Culture: Design and launch a group-wide security awareness and training program that measurably improves employee understanding of their role in protecting company information and fosters a culture of security mindfulness across all business units.

Profile for Success

• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing a global cybersecurity strategy for a complex, multinational organization, preferably within the industrial, manufacturing, or chemical sectors.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior security leadership role, with proven ability to lead and inspire diverse, international teams.
• Expert-level experience in establishing and managing governance and compliance frameworks against standards such as ISO27001, POPIA, and GDPR.
• A proven track record of architecting and implementing modern security solutions, including DLP and robust access management systems.
• Demonstrable success in leading incident response operations and building proactive security functions (e.g., threat intelligence, vulnerability management).
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or similar are highly preferred.