Head of IT Operations

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come. LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.

*Announcement*
In June 2025, LYB announced entering into an agreement and exclusive negotiations for the sale of four olefins & polyolefins sites and the associated business in Europe. The sites to be sold are located in Berre (France), Münchsmünster (Germany), Carrington (UK), and Tarragona (Spain). The sites together represent a scaled olefins and polyolefins platform strategically located in proximity to a longstanding customer base and with access and connectivity to key infrastructure.

Closing of the proposed transaction is currently expected in the first half of 2026. From the start, the new company will be a scaled leader in European Olefins & Polyolefins. Powered by strategically located assets, a diverse product portfolio, and operational excellence, it aims to transform the business, fostering an agile, entrepreneurial culture where fast decision-making and hands-on collaboration drive transformation and growth.

Are you ready?
You will be crucial to a successful transition and, when the sale is closed, success of the new company. You will become part of a new dynamic organization with around 1,800 employees, headquarters in Rotterdam and production sites in France, Germany, UK and Spain with a strong focus on customer excellence.
We stimulate candidates from the area of Carrington (UK), Berre (FR), Tarragona (ES) or Münchsmünster (GE) to apply
*This is the role*
The Head of IT Operations & Service Delivery leads the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of IT services across the enterprise. This includes ensuring that all infrastructure, cloud, platform, application services, end-user workstations, and business continuity capabilities are reliable, secure, cost-effective, and aligned with business needs. The role manages a blend of internal staff and Managed Service Providers to achieve operational excellence and innovation in service management, while also ensuring robust disaster recovery and business continuity planning and execution. The Head of IT Operations & Service Delivery is also responsible for the IT vendor and contract portfolio, accountable for the selection, management, performance, and compliance of all IT vendors and contracts. The role is responsible for driving operations performance improvement, process standardization, and continuous operational cost optimization across all IT service domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and govern end-to-end IT service delivery across HQ and all plants.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality service management (ITIL-based) across incident, problem, change, and request processes.
• Drive improvement initiatives to enhance service quality, efficiency, and user satisfaction.
• Define, oversee, and report on service performance, SLA compliance, KPIs, and user satisfaction.
• Oversee all on-premises and cloud infrastructure, including networks, servers, storage, endpoints, and collaboration platforms.
• Manage hybrid cloud operations (Azure, SaaS environments) with MSPs.
• Drive infrastructure modernization, automation, and cost optimization.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of workstation preparation and delivery
• Partner with the Head of Application Support to ensure reliable platform and application performance, for both SAP and non-SAP environments.
• Manage technical infrastructure underpinning business applications (databases, middleware, integration platforms, and identity management).
• Collaborate on root-cause analysis, release management, and change planning for business-critical systems.
• Standardize support processes and documentation to drive efficiency and reduce operational risk.
• Manage the internal Service Desk (L1) team to deliver prompt, effective support to users and coordinate escalations to L2/L3 or MSPs.
• Implement self-service portals and knowledge bases to improve first-call resolution and reduce ticket volumes.
• Regularly analyze user feedback and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance satisfaction and responsiveness.
• Own and manage the IT vendor and contract portfolio, including all Managed Service Providers, infrastructure, cloud, software, and hardware vendors.
• Lead the end-to-end vendor lifecycle: selection, onboarding, performance management, renewal, and offboarding.
• Conduct regular business reviews, track service KPIs, SLAs, and drive accountability.
• Partner with the Cybersecurity & GRC team to ensure service operations comply with regulatory standards (ISO 27001, GDPR, etc.).
• Support vulnerability remediation, patch management, and audit readiness.
• Develop and manage the IT Operations budget, including infrastructure, licensing, MSP contracts, and hardware lifecycle.
• Track operational expenditure and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence and proactive service improvement.

*This is who you are*
To be successful in this role, you must recognize yourself in the following profile:

The role emphasizes strong leadership in building and guiding cross-functional teams through change while fostering collaboration with key IT functions. It requires deep expertise in ITIL and ITSM frameworks, combined with technical knowledge of infrastructure, cloud, and enterprise applications. The position involves managing complex vendor relationships to ensure performance-based outcomes and driving operational excellence through process standardization and cost optimization. Additionally, it champions innovation by leveraging automation, analytics, and emerging technologies to enhance service delivery.

Candidates Will Be Assessed On The Following LYB Competencies
Build Partnerships

Deliver Results

Drive Innovation

Grow Capabilities

Promote Inclusion

*This is what you bring*

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• ITIL v4 Certification required.
• Preferred: PMP, COBIT, Azure or AWS certifications.
• 10–12 years of IT operations, infrastructure, or service delivery experience.
• 5+ years in a leadership role managing hybrid (internal + MSP) IT delivery models.
• Demonstrated success in ITSM, vendor management, and platform operations.
• Experience in the chemical, manufacturing, or process industry preferred.
• Experience developing, implementing, and testing disaster recovery and business continuity plans is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in end-to-end IT vendor and contract management, including negotiation, performance management, and compliance.

*This is what we offer*
We offer an environment where we encourage personal and professional growth and where you will be rewarded for your performance and results. You will have the possibility to work with specialist on all fields to develop innovative solutions and to extend your national and international network. In addition, we offer you a competitive salary package.

*Interested?*
Please send us your resume via the application button.

Please feel free to contact James Smeets, Talent Acquisition Consultant at @  for more details. Would you like to apply? Just send us your motivation and resume via the application button. Only applications through this application button will be taken into consideration.

The recruitment process consists of an initial phone screening and business interviews before proceeding to a possible job offer. A background check will be3 part of the process as well.

LyondellBasell does not accept or retain unsolicited resumes or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.

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