Director, Information Technology

Oil-Dri Corporation of America•Chicago, IL

18h•$175,000 - $295,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Information Technology oversees ODC’s IT department and technical operations, including the technology side of the company’s AI strategy, governance, and responsible-use efforts. The role leads delivery of IT technical services, including IT and OT network support, help desk functions, enterprise cybersecurity, IT project management, and IT General Controls. The Director is expected to serve as a strong business partner and lead and develop the IT team. This is a hybrid role based out of the Chicago office, with onsite work required Monday through Wednesday. Regular in-person attendance consistent with the Company’s established work schedule is an essential function to facilitate collaboration, communication, and business operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience working in IT operations, supervising technology infrastructure teams, and overseeing IT projects.
Experience integrating acquired businesses and working in a high-growth organization.
Knowledge of IT General Controls and proper audit processes.
Deep experience in sustainable problem-solving.
Strong knowledge of ICS, SCADA systems, and third-party vendor management.
Excellent understanding of computer systems, security and cybersecurity, disaster recovery, business continuity, network administration, and databases.
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise AI strategy, AI governance, responsible-use policies, vendor and tool evaluation, risk assessment, and cross-functional adoption initiatives.
Ability to maintain confidential information and work under pressure.
Project management skills and attention to detail.
Ability to grow into a Chief Information Officer.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Microsoft 365 products and Oracle’s JD Edwards platform is desirable.

Responsibilities

Identify information and operations technology needs and align them with business objectives.
Develop and maintain a rolling five-year technology roadmap supporting business strategies.
Recommend technology investments, upgrades, and enhancements to senior management, using data and analysis to support recommendations and demonstrate business alignment and return on investment.
Partner with the Enterprise AI Guru to develop and execute the enterprise AI strategy and roadmap, and identify and train the organization on appropriate AI tools.
Own and maintain policies, standards, and procedures for AI and generative AI, including responsible use, data protection, human oversight, transparency, and acceptable use.
Establish and lead the AI governance framework with Cybersecurity, Legal, Human Resources, Internal Audit & Compliance, and business leaders.
Oversee intake, risk assessment, approval, provisioning, monitoring, and retirement of AI tools and use cases; maintain an approved-tools register and technical safeguards.
Evaluate AI opportunities across corporate, manufacturing, and operational environments while balancing innovation with cybersecurity, intellectual property, privacy, safety, and regulatory considerations.
Define requirements for human review and accountability concerning AI-generated content, code, recommendations, automated decisions, and autonomous capabilities.
Lead AI awareness, training, and change management; monitor AI risks, incidents, adoption, vendor capabilities, and emerging technologies; and report material developments and recommendations to senior leadership and governance committees.
Evaluate adherence to technology security requirements, implement cybersecurity measures, monitor emerging threats and best practices, and manage the ODC Cybersecurity Plan and threats.
Lead IT infrastructure projects from initiation through completion, collaborating with cross-functional teams and managing project budgets, timelines, and resources.
Lead the IT Tech Services team in delivering reliable IT/OT production support in a 24/7/365 environment; coordinate production outages with Operations; and lead root-cause analysis and implementation of documented, sustainable solutions.
Research, plan, and manage OT projects; understand ICS and SCADA systems; and ensure integration of OT systems with IT infrastructure.
Conduct audits of IT processes, systems, and controls; assess outcomes, recommend improvements, and maintain compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Lead and mentor security analysts, network and help desk support technicians, and third-party service providers; foster a collaborative and innovative work environment; communicate expectations, coach employees, and conduct performance appraisals.
Explain IT needs and considerations in non-technical terms and provide periodic updates to the Board of Directors.
Develop the IT Technical Services budget, support cost-effectiveness and continuous improvement, negotiate service-provider contracts with Indirect Procurement, and allocate resources to strategic goals.