GDO - Global Data Owner: Product

Location: This is a hybrid role, offering a combination of being able to work remotely and from our European offices – there will be some travel involved across our global business.

The Opportunity

To ethically and sustainably improve RS Group performance by delivering substantial improvements in the governance and management of product data using recognised improvement methodologies focusing on productivity, cost and customer service improvements; working closely with the Global Process Owners to ensure that we meet RS Group strategic aims.  With a focus on executing the key pillar of our strategy around Operational Excellence to achieve our vision to become First Choice

The GDO owns the end-to-end governance and maintenance of product data across a number of different process teams and regional boundaries.  With the support of our Technology Function the GDO has the authority to deliver technological, data and process changes.  The role will work closely with all Functional Programme Directors and other GDO’s to align on ways of working and opportunities.

The role will lead on the standardisation, automation and streamlining of product data to both align with industry best practice and competitive benchmarking.  The GDO has ultimate responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of product data which will be supported and measured by key process indicators

Responsibilities

• To own the Enterprise Data Model for product data across the business, including reviewing and approving any changes to the model
• To define the appropriate data governance approach for all aspects of product data, and lead the defined model to ensure agreed approaches and standards are adhered to across all Regions and Functions
• To work with the Global Process Owners and other key stakeholders across the business to define the To Be Vision for Product Data and how that interfaces with the end-to-end business processes
• To influence future design and data capabilities to ensure it meets best practice standards for data governance and maintenance
• To understand the key data flows, and solutions that underpin them to maintain an enterprise view of the Product Data landscape. Using this understanding to identify, influence and approve any deviations to the standard model
• Be the source of best practice and drive improvements in data and solution design and quality

• To identify opportunities for data cleansing and propose mechanisms for effective data cleansing and ensuring once cleansed process and structures are in place to maintain this.
• Responsible for influencing and aligning multiple stakeholders to ensure consistent and efficient processes are in place relating to product data, which are aligned to business needs. 
• Lead a team of data experts to provide data governance and advice to strategic projects and Business as Usual activities
• Provide the leadership that inspires all levels of colleagues to drive an end-to-end mindset across the business for Product Data
• Collaborate with other GDOs to ensure end to end integration and data consistency and improvements

How I make a difference in this role

• You will be the strategic driver in improving the governance, understanding and quality of our Product Data.
• Working closely with GPOs and other GDOs you will ensure there is a clear vision, roadmap for improvements and plan that cleanses our data and then maintains it effectively to agreed standards.
• You will be the key point of contact across the business for product data governance and activities to ensure we realise benefits at pace.

Org Structure

• Reporting to Chief of Product & Supply Chain
• Small team of Data Specialists

Candidate Requirements

Essential Skills & Experience

• Demonstrable experience of completing a technical transformation programme including significant end to end data transformation
• Comprehensive understanding of Information Architecture principles across a complex business
• Experience of defining a vision for Enterprise Data and communicating with clarity across all levels of the organisation – including data governance, enterprise information model, detailed data model
• Experience of working with third party product suppliers
• Comprehensive leadership of diverse regional and functional teams in a matrix structure
• Ability to simplify and translate complex problems, processes or projects into component parts and to explore them strategically and systematically.
• Effective communication skills, with an ability to influence and align a diverse group of senior stakeholders throughout the organisation.
• Experience and extensive knowledge of business operations in a complex, global business, across multiple areas of finance and outsourced functions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills and experience in managing conflicting priorities
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills and evidence of concise, structured, thought-through communication
• Cultural sensitivity and significant experience of working in a global environment

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Product lifecycle management
• SAP 4 and Master Data Management platform

We Are RS

RS is a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably. 

We operate in 33 markets, stock over 875,000 industrial and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building and maintaining equipment and operations.

We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference.

Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet and profit. 

Rewards

Our Reward Strategy Philosophy is designed to offer market competitive base salaries and provide all of our people the opportunity to participate in a short-term incentive, enabling them to share in the success of the Company.

Our total reward package is more than just the cash; our recognition and benefit offering provide the opportunity for us to recognise, reward and enable the wellbeing of our people at all stages of their journey with RS. Our rewards and benefits vary by country, but include:

• Financial - pension/retirement; life assurance; salary finance (payroll deduction loan scheme)
• Wellbeing - medical plans; health screening; critical illness; disability insurance; holiday / paid time off; employee assistance programme; discounted gym/health club membership
• Lifestyle - transportation assistance schemes (e.g., cycle to work, travel loans, car leasing); onsite catering/lunch vouchers; retail discounts
• Spotlight – our global recognition programme provides a platform to highlight and recognise people role modelling our values

Ready to Make Amazing Happen?

Join c. 9,000 colleagues and help us shape the future of our industry. Whoever you are, wherever you are — it all starts here.

Apply now and make RS a part of your journey.

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