IT Manager

Based out of the Oak Brook corporate office, this position is responsible for leading the technology strategy, implementation, and optimization for key platforms. This role requires a deep understanding of how these systems drive business growth, improve customer experience, and enhance operational efficiency. The Director will work closely with the Operations, Finance and Sales teams to ensure that all technologies are aligned with business goals and deliver seamless, integrated experiences across all customer interfaces.

The ideal candidate will be an IT generalist with strong business acumen and managerial experience across local/ cloud-based networks, network security, applications and IT asset maintenance activities. In addition, the candidate must have strong ERP and related applications expertise and successful leadership experience in a multi-facility manufacturing and distribution environment.

Responsibilities

• In partnership with the leadership team, aligns IT with business strategies and develops a technology roadmap that addresses technological investments in collaboration with corporate goals, including:


• Evaluation of new technology in the areas of hardware, software, and network infrastructure


• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand their requirements and translate them into effective technology solutions


• Present proposals for new technology deployment to the leadership team


• Implement KPIs and performance metrics to monitor system performance, usage, and business impact, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with evolving business needs


• Lead initiatives to improve system uptime, reduce downtime, and ensure that all Novipax utilized technologies are secure, reliable, and scalable


• Oversee and direct the activities performed by the business partners who manage the outsourced data center. Ensure they deliver on project timelines, service level agreements (SLAs) and performance goals


• Serves as the single point of contact and accountability for all business technology needs including service and support


• Approves and processes payment of all IT related invoices in a timely manner


• Provides actions that are customer service oriented with a good balance of strategic and tactical


• Assures that current documentation of all technical duties is complete and conforms to standards


• Responsible for preparing and justifying annual budget preparation for the IT department as well as technology related project initiatives


• Aligns and monitors the assignment of resources and related financial allocations to projects; manages, monitors, and executes portfolio of projects


• Reviews of the actual performance against annual IT operating and capital budgets ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget


• Continually reviews and advances the skills of the IT team, fostering professional development and growth to support the business needs of the company


• Maintains the health of the IT environment by planning upgrades/replacements (and related funding) for all hardware and software


• Recommends and implements policies, standard methodologies, tools and priorities for the overall enterprise architecture and business processes


• Proactively initiates process and system improvements that manage internal/external resources in support of corporate related projects


• In partnership with the outsourced data center partners, continually monitors system integrity and protection from outside threats


• Performs annual disaster recovery / business continuation / vulnerability tests to ensure corporate readiness


• Provides other duties at the direction of the Chief Financial Officer / Leadership Team

Qualifications

• Education/Work Experience: A bachelor’s degree in a computer science or related field. At least ten (10) years of experience in information technology for a manufacturing related industry with progressive management responsibility. Must be capable of completing deliverables on time and in full.


• Language Ability: English. Effective communication skills; ability to prepare oral and written reports.


• Math Ability: Proficient mathematical and computer skills, including basic financial analysis and management.


• Reasoning Ability: Ability to translate daily business problems into business definitions and solutions for Novipax. Skilled in interpreting and communicating technical knowledge in a simple understandable format. Must be able to interface with all levels of staff in a professional and collaborative manner. Ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to discretely manage Novipax financial and employee information confidentiality. Skilled in reading and understanding business requirements, translating these into viable solutions.


• Computer Skills and Experiences: Knowledge of the hardware/software systems and components used at Novipax such as manufacturing ERP, CRM, WMS (IQMS or similar), VMware, remote access software is required. Included is hands-on proficiency with MS Office 365 products including Word, Power Point, Excel, SQL and Visual Basic. Experience with report generation tools such as Crystal Reports and Power BI is strongly desired.


• Managerial & Communication Skills: Experienced in relationship management and communication; builds positive relationships with the leadership team, department directors and managers. Ability to simply communicate complex technology concepts to executive management and the user community. This includes report preparation and conducting presentations where appropriate. Manage relationships and contracts with technology vendors and consultants.


• Travel Requirements: Ability to travel to the plants as required and expected to be approximately twenty (25%) percent of the time.