Chief Technology Officer with a Food & Beverage Producer – Sacramento, CA

Role Overview for Chief Technology Officer with a Food & Beverage Producer – Sacramento, CA

JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, forward-thinking food and beverage producer based in the vibrant Sacramento, California area. Our client is a market leader, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. As they embark on their next phase of ambitious growth, they are seeking a visionary and transformative Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a pivotal role for a strategic leader who can architect and execute a technology roadmap that will not only support but actively drive business objectives. The successful candidate will be responsible for the entire technological ecosystem, from enterprise-level systems and infrastructure to cutting-edge manufacturing automation and consumer-facing digital platforms. You will be the catalyst for digital transformation, leveraging data and technology to enhance operational efficiency, optimize the supply chain, ensure unparalleled product quality, and create a seamless customer experience. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on a beloved brand, shaping its technological future and solidifying its position as an industry innovator in a dynamic and competitive landscape.

The ideal CTO will be a hands-on yet strategic leader, capable of balancing long-term vision with the practical realities of day-to-day operations. You will champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the technology department and across the entire organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will serve as a key advisor to the executive team, providing insights and recommendations on technology trends, risks, and opportunities. If you are a passionate technologist with a proven track record of driving change and delivering results within the manufacturing or CPG sector, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity to lead the technological evolution of a thriving company.

Key Responsibilities of Chief Technology Officer with a Food & Beverage Producer – Sacramento, CA

As the Chief Technology Officer, you will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, overseeing all aspects of the company’s technological direction and execution. Your leadership will be crucial in modernizing systems, harnessing data, and securing the company’s digital assets.

Strategic Technology Leadership & Vision

• Develop and articulate a clear, long-term technology vision and strategy that aligns with and advances the company’s overall business goals and strategic plan.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive technology roadmap, outlining key initiatives, investments, and timelines for digital transformation and infrastructure modernization.
• Act as the primary technology advocate and advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team, translating complex technical concepts into strategic business implications.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, such as AI, machine learning, IoT, and blockchain, for their potential to create value and competitive advantage in the food and beverage industry.
• Lead technology due diligence for potential mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.

IT Operations, Infrastructure, and Security

• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of a robust, scalable, and secure IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP), and data centers.
• Ensure high levels of system availability, performance, and disaster recovery readiness for all critical business applications.
• Develop and enforce a comprehensive, enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy to protect company data, intellectual property, and operational technology (OT) systems from threats.
• Lead the IT governance framework, establishing policies, standards, and procedures for technology usage, procurement, and asset management.
• Manage the IT budget, optimizing costs while ensuring the necessary investments are made to support business growth and innovation.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain Technology (OT/IT Convergence)

• Spearhead the company’s Industry 4.0 initiatives, integrating smart factory technologies to automate and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Direct the selection and implementation of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and other operational technologies to improve production efficiency, quality control, and inventory management.
• Champion the use of IoT sensors and data analytics on the plant floor to enable predictive maintenance, monitor equipment performance, and reduce downtime.
• Enhance supply chain visibility and efficiency through technology, improving demand forecasting, logistics, and traceability from farm to fork.
• Ensure all systems and processes adhere to stringent industry regulations, including the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), to guarantee product safety and compliance.

Enterprise Systems and Data Analytics

• Oversee the management and continuous improvement of core enterprise systems, including the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Develop and execute a comprehensive data strategy that treats data as a strategic asset. Establish a robust data governance framework to ensure data quality, integrity, and accessibility.
• Build and lead a business intelligence and analytics function that provides actionable insights to support decision-making across all departments, including sales, marketing, finance, and operations.
• Implement advanced analytics, data warehousing, and data visualization tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and uncover trends in consumer behavior, market dynamics, and operational performance.

Team Leadership and Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, agile technology team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Structure the IT organization and roles to effectively support the company’s strategic objectives.
• Establish clear goals and performance metrics for the technology team, conducting regular performance reviews and providing professional development opportunities.
• Manage relationships with external technology vendors, consultants, and partners, ensuring quality service delivery and value for investment.

Requirements for the Chief Technology Officer with a Food & Beverage Producer – Sacramento, CA

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned technology executive with a blend of strategic acumen, technical depth, and exceptional leadership skills. You must have a demonstrated ability to lead technology functions within complex, regulated environments.

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• A Master’s degree in a technical field or an MBA is highly preferred.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in information technology and systems management.
• At least 7 years of experience in a senior IT leadership role (e.g., CTO, VP of IT, IT Director) with significant strategic and budgetary responsibility.
• Direct experience within the food & beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or manufacturing industries is strongly required. Understanding the unique technological challenges and opportunities of a production environment is critical.
• Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, including ERP implementations, cloud migrations, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in enterprise architecture, IT infrastructure, cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure), and cybersecurity best practices.
• Hands-on experience with modern ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle NetSuite, etc.) and their integration with manufacturing (MES) and supply chain (WMS) systems.
• Strong knowledge of data management, business intelligence, and analytics tools and methodologies.
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including Agile and DevOps.
• Knowledge of ITIL frameworks and best practices for IT service management.

Leadership and Business Acumen

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business needs into effective technology solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and develop a diverse team of technology professionals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with and influence stakeholders at all levels, from the plant floor to the boardroom.
• Strong financial management skills, including experience developing and managing large, complex budgets.
• A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to building strong cross-functional partnerships.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client believes in investing in their people and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top talent. This includes:

Competitive Compensation

A highly attractive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and a significant long-term equity incentive plan.

Comprehensive Health & Wellness

Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents, with low employee contributions.

Retirement Planning

A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.

Work-Life Balance

A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and paid company holidays.

Professional Growth

A dedicated budget for professional development, including conferences, certifications, and executive coaching.

Relocation Assistance

A comprehensive relocation package is available for the right candidate.

Additional Perks

Employee discounts on company products, wellness programs, and a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

How to Apply

JRG Partners is the exclusive recruitment partner for this confidential search. To be considered for this career-defining opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. We encourage you to learn more about our executive search expertise by visiting the JRG Partners’ Technology Officer Practice Area page. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. We look forward to reviewing your application.