Director, Information Technology

Yokohama Tire Corporation • Santa Ana, CA

1d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees