Career Development Program & Operations IT Specialist

Preferred Precision Group • Birmingham, AL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is a two-year career development program for a motivated IT professional who wants to become an operations and manufacturing technology leader. It is not a desk-only job, a remote-only programming job, or a narrow help desk role. You will spend meaningful time in manufacturing plants learning the industry from the ground up, on production floors, with supervisors, with field teams, and with company leaders while also owning key technology tools for the business. The right person will be curious, independent, practical, and driven. You should want to learn how manufacturing works, travel when needed, work different shifts during rotations, and use technology to make operations faster, cleaner, and more scalable. You need to be a go-getter who sees that AI is the future.

Requirements

• Hands-on IT, software, systems support, app support, business analysis, or related technology experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft tools, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Windows, and related business applications.
• Serious knowledge in Power Platform, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, dashboards, reports, or workflow tools.
• A serious interest in AI and how it can be applied to real manufacturing and operational problems.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical people.
• A practical, innovative mindset with the ability to work independently and drive solutions to completion.
• Comfort working in manufacturing plants, walking production floors, learning operational jobs, and supporting teams in the field.
• Willingness to work different shifts during learning rotations and operational assignments.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel to client sites (most travel expected in Alabama and Georgia, with possible travel to Tennessee, South Carolina, or other U.S. locations).
• Ability to perform all positions in a manufacturing environment, including lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be a go-getter.

Nice To Haves

• See that technology careers are changing and want to build a more durable future by combining IT, operations, and AI.
• Do not want to spend your career only behind a screen.
• Want to become the person who understands both the plant floor and the technology needed to improve it.
• Like solving messy, real-world problems where the best answer is not always obvious.
• Are willing to learn the industry first so you can build better solutions later.
• Want a path where strong performance can lead to meaningful responsibility and leadership opportunity inside the company.

Responsibilities

• Learn manufacturing from the inside by rotating through automotive, aerospace, and other manufacturing environments to understand production, quality, staffing, supervision, and customer support.
• Support field operations with technology, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Windows, tablets, user access, troubleshooting, and field technology needs.
• Own tablet and app readiness by managing inventory, setup, deployment, charging, distribution, basic troubleshooting, and field use of company apps.
• Build and improve Microsoft-based solutions, including Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Excel-based reporting, and SharePoint workflows.
• Work with development resources to coordinate with offshore development support and internal stakeholders to turn operational needs into usable apps, reports, dashboards, and process improvements.
• Act as the bridge between operations and technology by attending meetings, understanding business needs, gathering requirements, explaining options, and driving follow-through.
• Participate in the rollout of PPG Quality's agentic AI platform for manufacturing and identify opportunities for AI, automation, and emerging tools.
• Take ownership by running independently, solving problems, communicating clearly, and keeping projects moving without constant direction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees