Director IT & AI Innovation

Conax Technologies • Buffalo, NY

1d • $140,000 - $190,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a hands-on, business-minded technology leader to lead enterprise IT operations and accelerate practical AI innovation across a multi-location manufacturing environment. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an IT leader who can operate strategically while staying close enough to the technology to drive execution, solve complex problems, and deliver measurable business value. The Director of IT & AI Innovation will serve as the company’s technology catalyst by owning the reliability, security, and scalability of core systems while identifying and deploying AI-enabled solutions that improve business workflows, execution, visibility, effectiveness, and operational decision-making.

Requirements

• Technically credible IT leader who earns trust through execution.
• Strategic thinker with a strong bias for action and practical implementation.
• Hands-on technical leader with broad infrastructure, security, cloud, ERP, and support experience.
• Clear communicator who can translate technology into business outcomes.
• Curious innovator who understands how to apply AI responsibly and effectively in real business environments.
• Collaborative leader who builds credibility across executive, operational, and technical audiences.
• Resilient problem-solver who thrives in fast-moving manufacturing or engineered-products environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive IT experience, including leadership responsibility in a manufacturing, engineered-products, or multi-site operating environment.
• Hands-on expertise with enterprise infrastructure, Windows/Linux server administration, cloud environments such as AWS or Azure, network security, and hardware/software troubleshooting.
• Direct experience managing and optimizing Odoo or a comparable mid-market ERP system such as NetSuite, Epicor, or Infor.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, implement, and scale AI or automation tools that improve business workflows and decision-making.
• Strong project management capability across system upgrades, cloud migrations, facility expansions, vendor transitions, and cross-functional technology initiatives.
• Must be able to meet U.S. export control requirements (ITAR/EAR) to gain access to technical data.
• Candidates must be eligible for employment in the US and meet the requirements of ITAR.

Nice To Haves

• The strongest candidates will bring a blend of executive presence, technical depth, manufacturing fluency, and demonstrated success turning technology into competitive advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise IT: Own global IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems administration, and technology support across manufacturing and corporate location.
• Turn AI into business advantage: Move beyond AI theory by building, selecting, and implementing practical tools that automate processes, improve reporting, and increase team productivity.
• Shape the digital backbone of manufacturing: Serve as the functional and technical leader for our Odoo ERP and related business systems spanning engineering, production, inventory, finance, and commercial teams.
• Partner across the business: Translate complex technical possibilities into clear business outcomes.
• Lead day-to-day and long-range IT operations, including systems administration, network security, uptime, user support, hardware/software lifecycle management, and multi-site technology readiness.
• Identify, pilot, and deploy AI-enabled tools that reduce manual work, improve knowledge flow, accelerate engineering and sales cycles, and strengthen decision-making.
• Own the performance, adoption, optimization, and integration of Odoo MRP/ERP and related platforms across engineering, production, inventory, finance, and reporting functions.
• Build reliable, scalable reporting capabilities that give leaders clear visibility into performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead, mentor, and scale a lean, high-performing team of IT system administrators and ERP coordinators while maintaining strong service delivery standards.
• Plan and execute critical technology initiatives, including facility expansions, cloud migrations, security improvements, system upgrades, and vendor transitions.
• Negotiate with ISPs, software providers, hardware partners, and technology vendors to maximize service quality, cost discipline, and return on investment.

Benefits

• Salary ranges for this position vary by job location and are determined based on experience, reflecting our commitment to recognizing individual expertise and contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director