ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking an accomplished Global UKG Pro Workforce Management (WFM) Programme Manager to lead the IT delivery of a major workforce-management transformation for a global food group. The programme will support approximately 8,500 permanent, agency and seasonal employees across multiple countries and 24/7 manufacturing locations, making this a high-profile opportunity to shape the technology foundations for a complex operational workforce.

You will own the overall technology delivery plan, coordinating architecture, infrastructure, integrations, testing, site readiness, deployment and transition into operational support. Working in partnership with Group IT, People Digital, Operations, Payroll, Finance, country teams and external suppliers, you will ensure that the programme is governed effectively, delivered at pace and embedded successfully across diverse operational sites.

This is a senior delivery role for a pragmatic, visible programme leader with the credibility to manage complex technical and business dependencies. You will bring a clear understanding of workforce management and the realities of deploying change into shift-based manufacturing environments, maintaining focus on operational readiness, risk management and sustainable outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

You will lead the end-to-end IT delivery of the global UKG Pro WFM transformation, establishing and maintaining the integrated technology delivery plan across architecture, infrastructure, integrations, testing, site readiness, deployment and transition into operational support. You will align global programme priorities with local country and site requirements, ensuring that workstreams remain coordinated and focused on the agreed outcomes.

You will direct programme governance, planning, budget management, resource coordination, risk and issue management, dependency management, change control and executive reporting. You will provide senior stakeholders with clear, actionable visibility of delivery progress, operational readiness, constraints, decisions and interventions required to protect programme outcomes.

You will work closely with Group IT, People Digital, Operations, Payroll, Finance, country teams and external suppliers to manage the interfaces between workforce processes, technology platforms and operational delivery. You will coordinate third-party suppliers against agreed commitments, maintain accountability across workstreams and ensure that technical delivery supports the needs of the wider business.

You will oversee the technical integration landscape, including Boomi or comparable middleware, APIs, file interfaces, identity and single sign-on (SSO), security, payroll integrations, physical time clocks and access-control systems. You will ensure that integration dependencies, technical risks, data and security considerations are identified, owned and managed through design, build, test and deployment.

You will lead planning for testing, deployment and business readiness across multiple manufacturing locations. You will ensure that site teams, operational stakeholders and support teams are prepared for deployment, that testing validates the end-to-end workforce-management solution and that each site can transition effectively into operational support.

You will apply practical operational understanding to the delivery of WFM capabilities, including shift patterns, absence and accrual rules, agency labour, time capture and payroll cut-offs. You will ensure that technology decisions and deployment plans reflect the day-to-day realities of 24/7 manufacturing operations.

MUST-HAVE SKILLS

Global Programme Leadership and Technology Delivery

CRITICAL

You bring at least eight years’ experience leading complex technology or business-transformation programmes. You can own end-to-end delivery across multiple workstreams, establish robust plans and governance, coordinate resources and budgets, and maintain delivery control in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. Experience of multi-country and multi-site delivery is particularly important.

Workforce Management, Time and Attendance and Scheduling

CORE

You have strong experience of workforce management, time and attendance, employee scheduling and payroll-related systems. You understand how workforce rules and processes affect operational delivery, including shifts, absence, accruals, agency labour, time capture and payroll cut-offs. Direct experience with UKG Pro WFM or Kronos is strongly preferred.

UKG Pro WFM / Kronos Implementation Leadership

CRITICAL

You have the practical platform understanding to lead and challenge delivery of a UKG Pro WFM or Kronos implementation. You can coordinate the technology work required to deliver a reliable workforce-management solution, engage credibly with implementation partners and technical teams, and ensure that programme decisions support both global consistency and site-level operational needs.

Architecture, Integration and Security Coordination

CORE

You understand the integration landscape surrounding workforce-management systems, including Boomi or similar middleware, APIs, file interfaces, identity and SSO, security, payroll integrations, physical time clocks and access-control systems. You can manage technical dependencies across architecture, infrastructure and integration workstreams, ensuring that risks, interfaces and readiness requirements are visible and actively managed.

Governance, Commercial Control and Supplier Management

CORE

You have strong capability in programme governance, budget management, resource planning, risk and issue management, dependency management, change control and executive reporting. You can manage external suppliers effectively, set clear expectations and hold delivery partners accountable for commitments, outcomes and timely resolution of issues.

Testing, Deployment and Operational Readiness

REQUIRED

You have experience coordinating testing, site readiness, deployment and transition into operational support for complex technology change. You can create the conditions for successful implementation across multiple locations, ensuring that technical delivery, operational teams and support arrangements are aligned before go-live.

24/7 Manufacturing and Shift-Based Operations

REQUIRED

You can apply practical understanding of 24/7, shift-based operational environments to programme delivery. You recognise the importance of manufacturing-site realities when planning implementation and change, and can work effectively with Operations, Payroll, Finance and country teams to deliver solutions that are workable in practice.

Senior Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

REQUIRED

You are an effective senior stakeholder manager and communicator who can work across IT, People Digital, Operations, Payroll, Finance, country teams and external suppliers. You can translate complex programme status, technical dependencies and delivery trade-offs into clear, decision-ready updates, building alignment around shared priorities and outcomes.

GOOD TO HAVE – NOT A BLOCKER

• Experience in food manufacturing, FMCG or another 24/7 shift-based environment – valuable for understanding the operational realities of workforce-management change at manufacturing sites.
• Experience delivering global or multi-country HR, workforce-management or payroll technology programmes – beneficial for managing local requirements alongside global delivery standards.
• Experience deploying technology across large operational populations that include permanent, agency and seasonal workers – useful for anticipating adoption, readiness and workforce-process complexities.
• Experience integrating enterprise platforms with physical devices, access-control systems or identity services – valuable for supporting the wider WFM technical landscape.

WHY JOIN

This is a high-impact opportunity to lead the technology delivery of a major global workforce-management transformation. You will help establish the systems, integrations and operational capabilities that support approximately 8,500 employees across a diverse, multi-country and 24/7 manufacturing estate.

The role offers significant scope to influence a complex programme at the intersection of technology, people, operations and finance. You will lead a critical delivery agenda, work with senior stakeholders across the organisation and help create a sustainable operational-support model for the future.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

If you are an experienced Programme Manager with a strong background in workforce-management technology and global transformation delivery, we would welcome your application. Please submit a CV outlining your UKG Pro WFM, Kronos or comparable WFM experience; multi-country or multi-site programme leadership; technical integration oversight; and delivery within 24/7 operational or manufacturing environments.