Head of Network Services for K Group

Are you ready to make an impact on millions of customers’ daily lives? K Group’s K IT, Infrastructure & Operations is looking for a Head of Network services – a people-focused leader to drive new. Join us to explore new ways of improving customer experience and keeping up with the latest technologies!

At K Group, we build success together. We value diverse teams, open collaboration, and a workplace where people feel they belong. We work in a hybrid model that includes weekly office days at our HQ in Kalasatama, Helsinki.

What you’ll be doing
We are looking for an experienced and motivated team lead K Group’s international network and voice services. This role focuses primarily on people leadership, vendor management, and budgeting – not on hands-on technical work.

Your team is responsible for network and voice services across the entire Kesko Group in all operating countries. Day-to-day service monitoring and service orders are managed by the team’s specialists – your task is to ensure they have the right conditions to succeed. You will also participate in quality meetings with vendors, drive continuous service improvement, and ensure high service quality.

The team is also involved in transition projects, for example in M&A activities. As the manager, you do not directly own these projects, but you support and enable the team’s contribution, ensure resourcing, and act as their backbone. The role requires fluent, solution-oriented communication with local organizations and teams across K Group’s operating countries, aiming to harmonize network services across the group.

Key responsibilities

• People leadership: supporting, coaching, and enabling your team.
• Overall responsibility for network and voice services (WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, Voice).
• Ensuring service quality and vendor collaboration (e.g., vendor quality meetings).
• Budgeting and cost management within your area of responsibility.
• Supporting transition projects (e.g., M&A) by ensuring team contribution and resources.
• Close collaboration with other IT teams (capacity, cloud services, integrations).
• Supporting network architecture planning (cloud & data center) at a conceptual level.
• Ensuring network and voice service cyber security together with the security team.
• Driving harmonization of services across all operating countries.

What we expect from you

• Several years experience in a managerial/leadership role within IT or infrastructure services.
• Ability to lead skilled experts and act as a supportive enabler for the team.
• Conceptual understanding of networking and voice services (WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, hybrid & cloud solutions, Voice).
• Experience in vendor management, contracts, and budgeting.
• Experience working in an international environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in Finnish and English (other K Group country languages are an advantage).

Beneficial Experience

• Managing large and complex IT environments
• Understanding of modern network, voice, and cybersecurity solutions
• Background in retail, logistics, or international business environments

Why choose K Group?

• Your work truly matters – our platforms impact millions of daily customer interactions.
• We’re a pioneer in modern grocery and wholesale trade.
• You’ll gain a broad view of the fast-moving retail and commerce sector.
• You’ll be part of our 200+ IT professional community, where support is always just a message away.

What We Offer

• Modern office at Kalasatama, Helsinki – with gym, healthcare services, cafeteria, restaurant, and excellent public transport.
• Latest tools and strong support for learning and development.
• Employee benefits that include: Epassi Flex, employee discounts at K Group stores, occupational health services and leisure-time accident insurance and possibility to a car benefit according to our company policy.
• On top of that, we enjoy various partner benefits and offers, for example in sports and wellness, travel and accommodation, and optical services.

We are proud of our positive work culture that supports well-being, learning, and career growth. We encourage open dialogue, collaboration, and work-life balance.

Next steps
Apply by 26.9.2025. We review applications already during the process, so don’t wait too long. We’ll inform all candidates within a couple of weeks after the deadline. Please note that the selected candidate must pass a security clearance conducted by the authorities and a drug test before employment can begin.

Want to know more? Contact Pekka Valkearanta, Vice President Infrastructure&Operations, +358 50 360 5485. Best reached on 12.9.2025 at 10:00 - 11:30 and 19.9.2025 at 10:00 - 11:30.

Submit your application via the apply link.

We at K Group value diversity and believe that different backgrounds and perspectives are key to success. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow. Equality, non-discrimination, and fairness are our core principles in recruitment, compensation, and career development.