Chief Digital Officer accelerates global digital transformation for industrial lubricants manufacturer
Challenge
A global leader in industrial lubricants (multi-billion $ sales) sought to appoint a strategic, tech-savvy Chief Digital Officer to lead digital transformation across its North American operations and support alignment with European and Asian regions. The company, a multinational with operations in over 50 countries and a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, needed a CDO who could turn complex business objectives into actionable digital programs. This included enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experience, and developing a global digital innovation portfolio aligned with corporate strategy.
The ideal candidate required deep expertise in enterprise technology, experience managing global teams, and a practical understanding of digital systems in manufacturing environments. In addition to technical and leadership qualifications, the candidate needed the gravitas and cross-cultural fluency to gain the trust of U.S. leadership and counterparts at headquarters abroad.
Solution
TH Bender identified and placed a seasoned digital transformation executive with over 20 years of experience in enterprise IT strategy, ERP modernization, and cross-functional leadership within industrial and manufacturing-driven businesses. Prior roles included executive positions at a Fortune 500 industrial supplier, where the candidate oversaw customer-facing digital modernization and led the implementation of a multi-year digital transformation strategy.
The candidate also brought valuable experience from a major healthcare logistics company, where he modernized SAP-based supply chain processes, and from a global consultancy, where he managed enterprise transformation programs across manufacturing clients. His career reflects a rare blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and operational grounding—precisely what was needed to drive digital integration across continents.
Results
The executive rapidly developed and implemented a cross-regional digital transformation roadmap that unified efforts across North America, Europe, and China. Drawing from deep experience in manufacturing environments, he successfully aligned IT strategy with operational processes and business goals.
Specific accomplishments included:
- Formalized digital governance framework
- Improved legacy systems integration
- Launching of initiatives focused on enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency
- By bridging international strategy with local execution, the candidate positioned the company to scale its innovation efforts sustainably and effectively
Client Feedback:
“For us, the search you conducted was a highly successful trial run, and you have proven yourself qualified for more. We look forward to continued collaboration and will be reaching out to you shortly to take the next steps together.” – Board Member
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