Director of IT
About The Position
The Director of Information Technology is a newly elevated, strategic leadership role reporting directly to the CEO. This position is being created to bring senior-level IT vision to the organization as our technology needs grow in complexity, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and the responsible adoption of AI across the business. The Director will build on the strong operational foundation laid by our current IT team, providing the strategic direction, executive partnership, and technical depth needed to guide the company through its next phase of growth. Due to the hands-on nature of this role and need for close collaboration with our production team, this position is 100% onsite at our Lake Forest, CA headquarters. Depending on business needs, a hybrid schedule may be considered in the future.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field; Master's degree a plus.
- 8+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 3–5 years in a senior IT leadership role.
- Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment strongly preferred, including familiarity with ERP/MES systems and plant-floor technology.
- Demonstrated experience developing IT strategy and communicating it to executive leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of enterprise cybersecurity practices and frameworks.
- Exposure to evaluating or implementing AI tools in a business setting, with sound judgment about risk, data privacy, and appropriate use.
- Experience supporting multi-site or multi-state operations preferred.
- A collaborative, people-first leadership style: someone who can develop existing talent, not just direct it.
- Strong project management and vendor negotiation skills.
Responsibilities
- Develop and own the company's IT strategy and multi-year technology roadmap, aligning investments with business goals and manufacturing operations.
- Serve as a trusted technology advisor to the CEO and executive team, translating business needs into practical, well-sequenced technology decisions.
- Lead, mentor, and grow the existing IT function, including current IT staff, building structure, career paths, and technical depth where the department has historically been more tactical than strategic.
- Own enterprise infrastructure, network, and cybersecurity strategy across headquarters and manufacturing sites, including risk assessment, incident response, and data protection.
- Evaluate, select, and oversee core business systems (ERP, MES, and related platforms), ensuring reliability and fit for a multi-site manufacturing environment.
- Define a responsible, business-aligned approach to AI adoption, evaluating tools and use cases, setting guardrails in partnership with the executive team, and building organizational readiness.
- Bridge IT and operational technology (OT) on the manufacturing floor, partnering with plant leadership on systems that support production, quality, and safety.
- Manage the IT budget, vendor relationships, and contract negotiations, ensuring cost-effective and scalable solutions.
- Own business continuity and disaster recovery planning across all company locations.
- Ensure technology practices support data privacy and regulatory obligations across all operations, partnering closely with executive leadership.
- Travel periodically to support site leadership and ensure technology needs are met across all locations.
Benefits
- Health care plans (medical, dental & vision) - choose from 2 HMO and 2 PPO medical plans
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Retirement plan (401k) with company match
- Life insurance (basic, voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid time off (vacation, sick & selected holidays)
- Family leave (maternity/paternity)
- Short & long term disability plans
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
