Sr. Manager, Digital Infrastructure

Avient•Avon Lake, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Digital Infrastructure reports to the Global Director of Infrastructure & Operations and is based in Avon Lake, Ohio. The role leads Avient's Global Infrastructure Governance function, overseeing cloud, datacenter, compute, enterprise backup, and Microsoft 365 and collaboration platforms serving approximately 9,000 associates at 130 facilities in more than 40 countries. It leads five direct reports across the US, Europe, China, and India, governs a managed service provider team of approximately 50 resources, and manages an annual budget of approximately $20 million. Working with Cybersecurity, Architecture, Applications, and Procurement, the role modernizes infrastructure, embeds security, controls costs, and ensures high delivery standards. Success is measured by environment reliability and predictable delivery. The role establishes and executes infrastructure strategy and roadmaps; governs cloud, datacenter, compute, storage, backup, and collaboration services; and leads modernization, automation, disaster recovery, and business continuity efforts. It serves as service owner for the Microsoft 365 collaboration portfolio and governs managed service providers, IT service management practices, licensing, vendor relationships, security controls, and compliance responsibilities. The position requires effective collaboration across global virtual teams, flexibility to work across time zones and participate in off-hours activities when appropriate, and potential global travel of up to 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Experience in manufacturing or a similar industry.
At least 10 years of progressive technical experience across infrastructure disciplines, including cloud, datacenter, compute/virtualization, storage/backup, and Microsoft 365.
At least 3 years of people leadership experience managing technical teams.
Proven experience governing outsourced or managed service providers against SLAs and contracts.
Strong background in Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, including Microsoft enterprise licensing.
Experience with environments segmented between IT and OT.
Strong process and internal customer focus.
Experience in infrastructure project management, planning, and execution, with the ability to deliver results on time and within budget.
Financial acumen, including budgeting, capital planning, cloud cost optimization, vendor negotiation, and renewals.
Working knowledge of security and compliance frameworks, including NIST CSF and SOX IT general controls, and security-by-design practices.
Hands-on scripting and automation experience, such as PowerShell and Azure Automation, and interest in applying AI-enabled tools to operations.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences and set clear expectations in writing.
Demonstrated experience collaborating within a global enterprise with diverse teams.
Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision across global virtual teams and flexibly across time zones; potential global travel up to 10%.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years leading global or multi-site teams, including demonstrable high-quality staff management.
Familiarity with ITIL or similar service management practices; ITIL certification is preferred.
Relevant industry certifications, such as Microsoft Azure or cloud security certifications.

Responsibilities

Establish and execute a Digital Infrastructure strategy and roadmap with the Infrastructure Architect and Cybersecurity, aligned with business objectives and industry best practices.
Lead, develop, and hold accountable a global team; set priorities and establish governance and oversight of external service providers.
Participate in IT strategic planning and budgeting.
Own Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud governance, including subscription and network design oversight, role-based access, platform security services, and cloud cost optimization (FinOps).
Oversee global datacenter, server, and plant computer-room infrastructure, including hardware lifecycle and refresh, third-party maintenance, power/UPS, and infrastructure supporting manufacturing systems in partnership with OT security.
Drive modernization programs, including server operating system upgrades, application and infrastructure rationalization, cloud migration, observability and monitoring, and certificate lifecycle management.
Promote automation of routine infrastructure and collaboration tasks using tools such as PowerShell, Azure Automation, and AI-enabled tools.
Ensure enterprise backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity capabilities are designed, regularly tested, and documented to meet business and compliance requirements.
Serve as service owner for the Microsoft 365 collaboration portfolio, including Exchange Online/Hybrid, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams Rooms; manage governance, lifecycle, global standards such as data retention, and support the SharePoint-based intranet initiative.
Partner with Cybersecurity to align infrastructure and collaboration services with identity standards.
Govern managed service providers against contracts, SLAs, and KPIs through service reviews, knowledge-transfer validation, quality scorecards, and escalation management.
Oversee IT service management processes, including incident, problem, request, change management, and the Change Advisory Board; ensure consistent practices and measurement and reporting of response and resolution performance.
Manage Microsoft enterprise licensing agreements, including true-ups, billing reconciliation, and license optimization, along with infrastructure vendor relationships and renewals.
Partner with Strategic Sourcing on quotes, purchase orders, contracts, and capital planning.
Embed security-by-design with Cybersecurity and ensure new, changed, and third-party-hosted infrastructure meets security baselines, including endpoint detection and response, access controls, and logging.
Own SOX IT general controls within the area of responsibility and establish recurring control routines, including access and privileged account reviews, change-management evidence, and software-license compliance.
Support internal and external audits with documented evidence and timely remediation.
Support NIST Cybersecurity Framework maturity, vulnerability and patch management, and applicable regulatory requirements such as EU NIS2.
Identify and address shadow-IT risks and ensure new tools and services are reviewed under Avient’s IT and AI policies.
Work effectively with minimal supervision across global virtual teams, flexibly across time zones and participating in off-hours activities if appropriate.
Travel globally up to 10% as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.