Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Company: Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (Elephant House)

Parent Company: John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH)

Role Overview

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), the manufacturer of Elephant House Soft Drinks and Ice Creams, is a leading consumer food company in Sri Lanka and a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC.

We are seeking a highly capable Data Governance Lead to oversee, manage, and scale our sector’s data protection and privacy strategies. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing data policies, procedures, and safeguarding strategies in strict alignment with JKH corporate policies, industry best practices, and national legal frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Policy Management

• Framework Alignment: Oversee the implementation and day-to-day compliance of data protection regulations (such as PDPA and GDPR) across all Consumer Food Sector (CFS) operations and supply chains.

• Policy Evolution: Continuously update data governance and privacy policies to keep pace with evolving regulatory mandates specific to the consumer food and manufacturing sectors.

• Vendor Governance: Partner with procurement teams to ensure all vendor contracts for new software and system procurements incorporate CFS-specific data protection clauses.

Data Security & Incident Response

• Access Control: Implement robust security protocols to protect the personal and operational data of employees, distributors, retail partners, and customers from unauthorized access.

• Advanced Protection: Promote and embed industry best practices, including encryption and data anonymization, tailored for high-volume data environments.

• Breach Management: Lead the incident response framework for any data breaches within supply chain operations, ensuring swift mitigation and proper coordination with regulatory bodies like the Data Protection Authority (DPA).

Audits, Risk Assessment & Data Inventory

• System Audits: Conduct targeted data audits and risk assessments across CFS infrastructure, including core inventory, logistics, and retail management platforms.

• Risk Detection: Develop early-detection protocols to mitigate data vulnerabilities across extensive retail networks.

• Registry Management: Collaborate annually with business units to update the Data Asset Registry and maintain an up-to-date inventory of all approved operational systems, from logistics tracking to sales reporting tools.

Training & Awareness

• Capability Building: Design and deliver tailored training programs focusing on data protection scenarios for employees, distributors, and retail partners.

• Onboarding Integration: Partner with the HR department to embed vital data protection modules directly into the onboarding and induction processes for the CFS workforce.

Person Specifications

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Law, Data Management, or a closely related field.

• Experience: 4–6 years of direct experience in data governance, risk management, and policy development tailored to high-paced operational environments.

• Industry Background: Prior experience handling data governance within the FMCG, manufacturing, or retail logistics industries is highly preferred.

Technical & Professional Knowledge

• Legal Frameworks: In-depth, practical understanding of local and international data protection laws (PDPA, GDPR) and their application within supply chains.

• Process Depth: Sound knowledge of manufacturing workflows, enterprise data flows, and industry-specific information security practices.

Core Competencies

• Strong business acumen coupled with analytical and innovative thinking.

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, decision-making, and structural problem-solving skills.

• High adaptability with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously in dynamic environments.

• Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

How to Apply

If you are confident that you possess the requirements to drive our data governance strategy, please submit your application today. Your CV must include the names and contact details of two non-related referees.

• Official CV Submission Email: careers.cf@keells.com

• Email Subject Line: Application: Data Governance Lead – Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

• Alternative Application Route: You may also apply directly through the official John Keells Holdings careers portal via the Elephant House Careers page.

  Location – Colombo, Sri Lanka

  For Apply Job – Click Here

  For More Jobs – Click Here