IT Manager

Sentinel•Traverse City, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The IT Manager will be responsible for leading day-to-day IT operations while driving technology planning and vendor management for a growing automotive manufacturing organization. This role serves as the primary escalation point for IT issues and acts as a key liaison between the business, third-party vendors, and managed service partners. The IT Manager will oversee internal IT staff and ensure stable, secure, and scalable technology operations in a compliance-driven environment. This is a contract to hire or direct hire role located onsite in Traverse City, Michigan.

Requirements

Legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
Must demonstrate a “can-do” attitude
We focus on candidates that display our “ACE” factor – Attitude, Compassion, and Enthusiasm to deliver quality solutions with exceptional customer service.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience in an IT Manager or IT Lead role supporting enterprise or manufacturing environments
Strong background in vendor management and third-party service coordination
Experience supporting or managing teams across multiple IT functions
Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and priorities
Familiarity with compliance-driven environments such as aerospace, defense, or automotive manufacturing
Hands-on technical background with infrastructure, systems, or networking is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day IT operations across infrastructure, systems, and end-user support
Manage and mentor internal IT staff, including Help Desk and Systems Administration personnel
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical and operational issues
Lead technology planning, roadmap development, and lifecycle management initiatives
Act as the main IT liaison between business stakeholders, managed service providers, and third-party vendors
Own vendor management activities, including performance oversight, coordination, and issue resolution
Collaborate with Sentinel’s Managed Services, Help Desk, and SOC/SIEM teams to ensure effective service delivery
Support infrastructure and platform transitions, including network standardization and virtualization changes
Ensure IT operations align with compliance requirements, including government and manufacturing standards
Maintain documentation, processes, and operational best practices