Director of IT

Milton Industries Inc•Chicago, IL

13d

About The Position

The Director of IT develops and carries out the organization’s technology strategy, leading efforts to modernize business processes, improve operational efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity, and support data-driven decisions across a multi-entity, multi-location manufacturing platform. The role is a strategic partner to senior leadership and the private equity sponsor, working with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, Human Resources, and business-unit leaders to identify opportunities for technology, automation, AI, data, and process improvement to support growth. The Director leads traditional IT and ERP/business systems across several platforms and entities, manufacturing technology integration, process automation, AI adoption, analytics, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. The role also supports integration of newly acquired businesses and oversees the IT function’s strategies, objectives, budgets, policies, procedures, vendors, and projects.

Requirements

Strong understanding of ERP platforms and integrated business systems, including experience running multiple ERPs across entities and locations.
Knowledge of manufacturing operations and technology’s role in production, inventory, quality, supply chain, and distribution.
Demonstrated ability to build and execute an AI and automation roadmap, with practical understanding of generative AI tools, data readiness, governance, and change management.
Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, networking, cloud technologies, and enterprise applications.
Working knowledge of cybersecurity, disaster recovery, data protection, and technology risk management.
Understanding of business intelligence, analytics, reporting, automation, and data governance.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical business recommendations.
Strong project and change-management capabilities, including leading geographically dispersed teams or teams that report through other lines.
Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels, from shop-floor operations to executive leadership and ownership.
Ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives and competing priorities.
Strong business acumen and ability to balance technology advancement, operational needs, cost, risk, and return on investment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a private equity–backed company, including working within sponsor reporting cadences and value-creation plans.
M&A experience, including IT due diligence, carve-outs, and post-acquisition systems integration.
Experience with Plex (Rockwell Automation) or other cloud manufacturing ERP platforms.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
MBA or relevant certifications such as PMP, CISSP, or ITIL.
10+ years of progressive IT experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role, preferably in multi-site manufacturing or distribution.

Responsibilities

Provides IT leadership and support across company entities and locations, establishing consistent technology practices, infrastructure, security standards, and service expectations.
Leads and coordinates ERP and business systems across multiple entities, locations, and platforms, driving standardization, integration, and data consistency while supporting site-level teams and day-to-day operational needs.
Develops and maintains a long-term roadmap for consolidating or integrating systems across entities, assessing when to standardize platforms versus integrate existing ones.
Develops and executes the company’s AI strategy and roadmap, identifying and prioritizing high-ROI use cases, setting AI governance and acceptable-use standards, and leading pilots through production adoption.
Leads technology due diligence and post-close IT integration for acquisitions, including system, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and staffing assessments; integration plans and budgets; and Day 1 and 100-day integration plans.
Supports private equity sponsor value-creation initiatives and reporting expectations, providing technology input to the operating plan, budget, and board-level updates.
Develops internal procedures and guidelines for diagnosing and resolving technical issues across hardware, software, systems, and networks.
Analyzes business needs and researches technologies to identify and select hardware and software that support internal business processes.
Evaluates IT systems, methods, processes, and specifications to build the IT strategy and roadmap, ensuring hardware and software meet organizational needs and standards.
Plans and designs network infrastructure, including LANs, WANs, and wireless networks across locations, and monitors network performance.
Oversees cybersecurity, disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and compliance requirements, including CMMC and customer and government security requirements.
Manages managed service providers, ERP partners, and technology vendors, holding them accountable to service-level agreements, statements of work, and budgets.
Oversees IT projects through their full lifecycle to ensure timely and on-budget completion, and provides technical guidance to resolve complex issues.
Builds functional strategies and objectives for IT and develops supporting budgets, policies, and procedures.
Complies with company rules, regulations, and policies.
Performs other duties as assigned.