Director, Information Technology

Summary We are seeking a dynamic and experienced IT Director to serve as the second-in-command within our IT department. This pivotal leadership role will oversee the strategic implementation and management of advanced technologies, with a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Analytics, and other cutting-edge solutions. The IT Director will collaborate closely with the CIO to align IT initiatives with business objectives, driving innovation and operational excellence across the organization. The ideal candidate is a proactive, results-driven leader with a comprehensive understanding of the IT landscape including; applications, networking, security, and helpdesk operations, and a proven ability to bridge the gap between business needs and technological solutions. With a focus on Manufacturing, Sales, and Distribution environments, this role requires a go-getter who can command the full spectrum of IT responsibilities, leveraging hands-on AI expertise to build transformative solutions that enhance business performance.

Responsibilities Strategic Leadership:

Partner with the CIO to develop and execute the IT strategy, emphasizing the integration of AI, data analytics, and automation to drive business innovation and efficiency.

Technology Oversight:

Manage and optimize the organization's IT ecosystem, including applications, networking infrastructure, cybersecurity protocols, and helpdesk operations.

AI Innovation:

Identify, design, and implement AI-driven applications or features that enhance business processes, such as predictive analytics, process automation, or customer insights, tailored to Manufacturing, Sales, and Distribution needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with business leaders to understand their challenges and deliver AI-enhanced IT solutions that support operational excellence and revenue growth.

Team Management:

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing IT team, fostering a culture of innovation and technical expertise in AI and advanced technologies.

Security & Compliance:

Oversee cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring robust protection of company data and systems while maintaining compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Budget & Resource Management:

Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, and resource allocation to maximize efficiency and ROI on technology investments, including AI projects.

Operational Excellence:

Ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of IT systems, including AI-driven tools and the helpdesk, to support day-to-day operations and long-term growth.

Knowledge and Skills Technical Knowledge:

Mastery of IT landscape (enterprise apps, networking, cybersecurity, helpdesk). Extensive ERP experience (SAP, Salesforce ) in manufacturing/distribution. Proficient in AI-enhanced Demand Planning, Supply Optimization tools. Knowledge of AI-optimized WMS and OTC processes. Expert in AI tools (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Azure AI, AWS SageMaker) and integration.

Business Acumen:

Aligns IT/AI with business goals (cost, revenue, efficiency) in manufacturing/sales. Translates business needs into AI-driven IT strategies. Financially literate to assess tech/AI ROI. Anticipates trends, proposes AI innovations for market leadership.

Communication:

Explains complex AI/tech to non-technical stakeholders. Builds IT-business collaboration for AI priorities. Presents strategic plans, secures buy-in with data-driven arguments. Manages conflict, vendors, and AI adoption.

Leadership:

Drives innovation in AI/tech, builds strong teams. Inspires IT teams to achieve strategic goals.

Attributes:

A proactive, go-getter mindset with a passion for leveraging AI to solve business challenges. Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Education and Experience 5+ years as IT Director or senior IT leader. Bachelors Degree in related field Expertise in AI (ML, NLP, computer vision) with proven business deployments. Built AI applications for demand forecasting, supply chain, or customer experience. Deployed AI/ML in Sales and Manufacturing. Created strategic tech roadmaps with measurable results. Strong data engineering, analytics, automation skills for manufacturing. Comfortable building programs from scratch. Executive-level communication and stakeholder management.