Manager, Manufacturing Systems & Digital Operations

Manager, Manufacturing Systems & Digital Operations at GlobalSource IT Manager, Manufacturing Systems & Digital Operations at GlobalSource IT in Vernon Hills, Illinois Posted in 13 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

Manager, Manufacturing Systems & Digital Operations Full-time | Hybrid | Libertyville, IL or Stuarts Draft, VA Summary Join a Global IT organization responsible for building, running, and continuously improving manufacturing technology platforms in a regulated medical device environment. The Manager, Manufacturing Systems & Digital Operations is accountable for establishing and operating a Manufacturing Systems Center of Excellence (CoE) that designs, develops, deploys, supports, and governs IT systems enabling the digital factory. This role owns the full lifecycle of manufacturing systems, balancing ongoing operational excellence with digital capability expansion. The position oversees day-to-day system performance, incident and outage management, vendor execution, and compliance, while ensuring disciplined application of ITIL Service Management and SDLC practices. The role partners closely with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and IT teams to deliver reliable, compliant, and scalable solutions that support production continuity and business outcomes. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and support the Manufacturing Systems team with clear accountability for operational performance, service delivery, and professional development
• Establish and reinforce ITIL and SDLC disciplines across manufacturing applications
• Oversee the design, configuration, testing, deployment, validation, documentation, support, and training for manufacturing systems including MES, labeling, and plant maintenance applications Cross-Functional Partnership
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and IT stakeholders to align system capabilities with operational and regulatory needs
• Support transition planning from project delivery into steady-state operations and support
• Partner with IT Finance and Strategic Sourcing on procurement, vendor governance, and service performance to ensure compliance and value delivery Technology & Process Optimization
• Lead the Manufacturing Systems CoE roadmap, balancing system stability with incremental digital capability enhancement
• Apply standard operating models, governance, and best practices across plants
• Oversee system enhancements, integrations, and process improvements with a focus on reliability, scalability, and compliance Budget & Resource Management
• Manage budgets for personnel, vendors, and technology services supporting manufacturing systems and operations Metrics, KPIs & Compliance
• Define, track, and report KPIs for manufacturing system availability, incident performance, and service quality
• Participate in management reviews and maintain required documentation for audits and continuous improvement
• Ensure manufacturing applications and integrations meet FDA, GMP, and

ISO 13485

requirements, including validation and data integrity standards Technical Support & System Reliability

• Own manufacturing system availability, incident response, and outage coordination across all factories
• Ensure effective root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement
• Manage application lifecycles, vendor support models, and upgrade strategies
• Ensure systems meet security, performance, and reliability standards Disaster Recovery & Validation
• Develop, maintain, and test disaster recovery plans for manufacturing systems
• Lead validation activities and audit readiness for manufacturing applications Requirements Experience & Education
• Minimum 8 years of experience supporting and managing manufacturing IT systems, MES, labeling, or related platforms
• Minimum 2 years (preferably 4 years) managing technical or application support teams
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• MBA or advanced degree preferred Technical Skills & Knowledge
• Strong experience operating and supporting MES platforms in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience with labeling systems and plant maintenance applications
• Experience integrating manufacturing systems with ERP platforms; SAP ECC or S/4HANA exposure preferred
• Working knowledge of ITIL Service Management, SDLC, and incident/problem/change management practices
• In-depth understanding of FDA, GMP, and

ISO 13485

validation and compliance requirements

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a focus on operational reliability
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI, Visio, and Microsoft Word
• Experience with IT asset management, application lifecycle management, and cybersecurity fundamentals Leadership & Communication
• Proven ability to lead teams responsible for both system delivery and ongoing operations
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical issues into business impact
• Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and service level expectations
• Ability to build repeatable, scalable operating models across multiple manufacturing sites
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed to support manufacturing operations
• Experience with labor management systems or operator certification tracking Essential Functions
• Communicate effectively with suppliers, associates, and plant personnel
• Lead response to manufacturing system incidents and operational issues
• Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory and technology requirements
• Travel to manufacturing sites as required