Manager - Manufacturing Applications

Westlake•Houston, TX

About The Position

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate. SUMMARY The Manager - Manufacturing Applications role is to plan, coordinate, and supervise all activities related to the design, development, and implementation of Enterprise information systems and software applications for manufacturing and supporting functions. This role will include working with sponsors to maintain a prioritized Project Portfolio. The role is also responsible for maintaining, supporting, and upgrading existing systems and applications. This individual will apply proven communication skills, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of best practices to guide his/her team and the user groups on strategies related to the design, development, and deployment of mission-critical information systems and software platforms. The Manager- Manufacturing Applications is accountable for overall project delivery performance to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and above customer expectations. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES May include, but are not limited to, the following: Works closely with the group Director and group colleagues to maintain and update the group's written strategic goal framework Manages the team to execute tasks and projects that contribute to achieving strategic goals. Develops and implements policies and procedures related to management and optimization of the Enterprise manufacturing application portfolio Ensures industry standard methodologies, coding standards, and software lifecycle management practices are in place and consistently followed for product development and commercial product implementations Optimizes manufacturing application portfolio, ensuring the company is receiving high value from its manufacturing software products Prioritizes and directs team project and operations activities Coordinates team response to Level 2 and higher service incidents Drives standardization of commercial and internally developed solutions across businesses Ensures technical coverage for critical manufacturing applications services (Tier 2-3 application support, on-call, 24/7, etc.) Manages both employee and contractor resources Leads and develops a cohesive team of both full-time employees and contractors working across different locations Ensures systems and data are secure and compliant with IT and IS processes and policies. Contributes as required during application and security audits Communicates with other IT and IS groups to report and resolve software and operations issues Works closely with other IT and IS groups during new product implementations to ensure key IT/IS stakeholders are engaged at appropriated phases of the project Consults with manufacturing leadership to develop solutions consistent with organizational objectives and strategy Drives improvements and innovations in partnership with manufacturing and supporting organizations, including collaboration with the Digital Innovations team on Manufacturing 4.0 initiatives Develops and implements methodology for achieving process transformation, including definitions, criteria and approaches for leveraging technology Researches, evaluates, and manages the implementation of new applications and changes into production. Coordinates contract negotiation and activities with software, training, and other vendors Develops and manages expenses and capital budgets for the Manufacturing Applications function Performs the primary thinking encompassed by this job description Complies with all Company policies and procedures Carries out additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned

Requirements

College Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Business, or related discipline.
Minimum 10 years of experience related to managing applications, software development and/or programming.
Prefer 7 or more years of experience in manufacturing settings, demonstrating a strong understanding of how software and systems are used to solve operational challenges.
10 or more years of project management experience.
Prefer experience with managing direct reports, geographically-dispersed teams.
Demonstrated ability to manage to organizational goals and objectives.
Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
Knowledge of application security practices.
Good written and oral communication skills.
Strong technical documentation skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to conduct research into IT operational issues, standards, and products as required.
Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language.
Highly self-motivated and directed.
Keen attention to detail.
Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
Strong customer service orientation.
Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the group Director and group colleagues to maintain and update the group's written strategic goal framework
Manages the team to execute tasks and projects that contribute to achieving strategic goals.
Develops and implements policies and procedures related to management and optimization of the Enterprise manufacturing application portfolio
Ensures industry standard methodologies, coding standards, and software lifecycle management practices are in place and consistently followed for product development and commercial product implementations
Optimizes manufacturing application portfolio, ensuring the company is receiving high value from its manufacturing software products
Prioritizes and directs team project and operations activities
Coordinates team response to Level 2 and higher service incidents
Drives standardization of commercial and internally developed solutions across businesses
Ensures technical coverage for critical manufacturing applications services (Tier 2-3 application support, on-call, 24/7, etc.)
Manages both employee and contractor resources
Leads and develops a cohesive team of both full-time employees and contractors working across different locations
Ensures systems and data are secure and compliant with IT and IS processes and policies.
Contributes as required during application and security audits
Communicates with other IT and IS groups to report and resolve software and operations issues
Works closely with other IT and IS groups during new product implementations to ensure key IT/IS stakeholders are engaged at appropriated phases of the project
Consults with manufacturing leadership to develop solutions consistent with organizational objectives and strategy
Drives improvements and innovations in partnership with manufacturing and supporting organizations, including collaboration with the Digital Innovations team on Manufacturing 4.0 initiatives
Develops and implements methodology for achieving process transformation, including definitions, criteria and approaches for leveraging technology
Researches, evaluates, and manages the implementation of new applications and changes into production.
Coordinates contract negotiation and activities with software, training, and other vendors
Develops and manages expenses and capital budgets for the Manufacturing Applications function
Performs the primary thinking encompassed by this job description
Complies with all Company policies and procedures
Carries out additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned