OT Services & Strategy Manager - Shared

Lauridsen Group•Ankeny, IA

About The Position

The OT Services & Strategy Manager leads Operational Technology (OT) vendor management, partner selection strategy, and site coordination across LGI’s US-based manufacturing footprint. This position is responsible for aligning OT infrastructure initiatives with organizational goals, ensuring consistent vendor performance, and supporting the long-term scalability and security of our OT systems. As a central liaison between IT, Operations, Engineering, and external OT partners, this role will not only oversee day-to-day execution but also shape the strategic roadmap for vendor engagement, lifecycle management, and service delivery across our manufacturing sites.

Requirements

Strategic thinker with operational discipline.
Influential communicator who can navigate technical and executive conversations.
Proactive, organized, and comfortable working in a matrixed, multi-site environment.
Comfortable balancing short-term vendor coordination with long-term strategy execution.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
A solid understanding of our organization's goals.
Self-motivation with great attention to detail.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
The ability to prioritize and manage tasks effectively.
A collaborative spirit and a strong customer service focus.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally, up to 50%.
Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary.
Knowledge of organizational methods and the ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality related to all duties and responsibilities.
Ability to remain calm and professional during peak periods of activities.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, information systems, or a related field, or significantly relevant work experience is required.
7+ years of experience in OT, industrial automation, or IT/OT convergence roles.
Proven experience leading vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and multi-site technology strategies.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and plant-level technology requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is preferred.
Project management or vendor governance certifications (PMP, ITIL, etc.) are preferred.
Experience in a manufacturing environment with OT/IT network segmentation.
Working knowledge of cybersecurity practices in ICS/SCADA environments.
Familiarity with FactoryTalk, Allen-Bradley PLCs, and Inductive Automation Ignition.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & OT Vision Define and drive the overarching OT vendor and support strategy in collaboration with IT, Operations, and Engineering leadership teams.
Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies, standardization, and modernization across multiple site-level OT systems.
Provide thought leadership around OT lifecycle management, future capabilities, and industry trends (e.g., Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, system integration).
Vendor & Contract Ownership Directly manage all relationships with external OT vendors, solution providers, and service contractors.
Negotiate and manage contracts, SLAs, applicable licenses and renewals to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
Develop and track KPIs for vendor performance, compliance, and service delivery across all sites.
Cross-Functional Leadership Act as a senior liaison between Operations, Engineering, and IT to align OT priorities, schedules, and outcomes.
Facilitate periodic strategic planning sessions, quarterly reviews, and incident retrospectives involving OT vendors and internal stakeholders.
Partner with internal teams on OT/IT convergence strategies, particularly around network segmentation, cybersecurity, and data integration.
Governance & Compliance Ensure vendor activities align with corporate IT/OT governance, including safety, compliance, and cybersecurity standards.
Oversee documentation and reporting related to vendor scope, maintenance activities, site engagements, and lifecycle planning.
Champion best practices in vendor access controls, change management, and service documentation across sites.
Program & Site Oversight Lead the coordination and execution of bi-annual maintenance and system upgrades with partners across 10 manufacturing sites.
Develop playbooks, templates, and repeatable processes to streamline vendor-led work across locations.
Drive consistent standards for systems such as FactoryTalk, Ignition (Inductive Automation), and Allen-Bradley PLC platforms.