Information Technology Operations Manager

IT Operations Leadership – Manufacturing Technology & Business SystemsCleveland, Ohio | OnsiteSalary: $115,000–$130,000Bonus: Target incentive opportunity of approximately 10%–15%Benefits: Comprehensive health, retirement, and paid-time-off programsAbout the OpportunityAshton North is conducting a confidential search for an experienced IT professional to join the technology leadership team of a growing advanced manufacturing organization in Cleveland.These are not traditional help desk, ERP administration, application support, or narrowly defined infrastructure positions.The organization is building a business-aligned IT function that connects technology directly to operations and business performance. We are looking for people who can take ownership across a complex environment spanning infrastructure, enterprise applications, ERP, data, reporting, integrations, production technology, and end-user systems.Depending on your background, your experience may lean more heavily toward IT infrastructure and manufacturing operations or toward ERP, business applications, data, and enterprise systems. Both profiles are of interest.What matters most is your ability to understand the business, solve problems, take ownership, and use technology to create measurable value.Just as important, you need to be comfortable operating at every level of the organization. You should be able to sit with C-suite leaders and discuss technology strategy, business priorities, risk, investment, and transformation, then walk onto the manufacturing floor and work directly with operations leaders, engineers, technicians, and frontline employees to understand what is actually happening.We are looking for technology leaders who can translate between those two worlds and earn credibility in both.What You’ll DoServe as a technology leader and business partner within a complex manufacturing environment.Partner directly with executive leadership, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Customer Service, Sales, and other business functions.Take ownership of technology issues and initiatives from identification through resolution.Support and improve technology across a business-critical manufacturing operation.Lead technology projects, upgrades, implementations, integrations, and process improvements.Ensure the reliability and effectiveness of infrastructure, enterprise applications, ERP, networking, endpoints, communications, and production-support technology.Improve ERP capabilities, business applications, reporting, dashboards, integrations, and data visibility.Coordinate technology changes, upgrades, testing, deployments, and maintenance around manufacturing and operational requirements.Identify opportunities to automate workflows, simplify processes, improve data visibility, and increase business efficiency.Partner with corporate IT, infrastructure, cybersecurity, manufacturing technology, and other teams within a global matrix organization.Manage technology vendors, implementation partners, and service providers while maintaining internal ownership of results.Improve IT documentation, governance, operating procedures, support processes, and system reliability.Remain hands-on when necessary rather than simply directing work elsewhere.Participate in occasional after-hours or weekend work when major technology changes must occur during planned production downtime.What We’re Looking ForApproximately 8+ years of progressive professional IT experience.A bachelor’s degree in any discipline combined with meaningful professional IT experience.Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, distribution, or another business-critical operating environment.Broad technology knowledge rather than experience limited to one narrow platform or specialty.Experience leading technology projects or initiatives from concept through implementation.Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and business process improvement capabilities.Experience partnering directly with operational and business leadership.Executive presence and the business acumen to communicate effectively with C-suite and senior leadership.Ability to translate complex technology issues into clear business implications, recommendations, and decisions.Comfort working directly on the manufacturing floor with operations leaders, supervisors, engineers, technicians, and frontline employees.Ability to adjust your communication style to the audience while maintaining credibility and clarity.Strong professional maturity, judgment, and the ability to influence across functions and organizational levels.Ability to manage multiple priorities without losing ownership of the outcome.A hands-on, curious mindset and willingness to understand how the business operates before recommending solutions.A demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and improving business performance through technology.For candidates coming from the manufacturing IT operations side, previous leadership of employees or junior technical resources is particularly valuable.For candidates coming from the business applications side, experience partnering across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Customer Service, and other functions to improve enterprise systems is particularly valuable.Technology EnvironmentYou do not need experience with every technology listed below. Broad capability, sound judgment, curiosity, and the ability to learn matter more than checking every technical box.Relevant experience may include:Microsoft 365Windows Server and Windows endpointsActive Directory and Microsoft Entra IDVMware, Hyper-V, or other virtualization technologiesEnterprise networking and Wi-FiBackup, storage, and disaster recoveryEndpoint and asset lifecycle managementCybersecurity and access managementERP platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Epicor, Oracle, Infor, QAD, IFS, or similarBusiness Intelligence and reporting tools such as Power BISQL and data managementAPIs, middleware, and application integrationsCRM and e-commerce platformsManufacturing and production systemsPLC-connected networks and plant-floor technologyIndustrial IoT and MQTTWorkflow automation and scriptingLow-code/no-code platformsAI-enabled business applicationsExperience with automation, APIs, integrations, IoT, data analytics, scripting, or emerging business technology is especially valuable but not required.You’ll Thrive Here If YouTake ownership naturally.Enjoy wearing multiple hats.Solve problems rather than simply managing tickets.Think about business outcomes, not just technology.Can move seamlessly from a C-suite conversation to the manufacturing floor.Understand how to communicate technology in business terms with executives and practical terms with the people using it every day.Are comfortable balancing strategic initiatives with hands-on execution.Build credibility through both business acumen and a willingness to get close to the work.Look for opportunities to improve systems and processes without waiting to be asked.Can operate independently while collaborating effectively across a larger organization.Want your work to produce visible, measurable results.Are energized by growth, transformation, and continuous improvement.This May Not Be the Right Opportunity If YouWant to remain exclusively within one technical specialty.Prefer maintaining systems rather than improving them.Need highly structured requirements or assigned tickets before taking action.Prefer managing vendors without maintaining ownership of the outcome.Are uncomfortable interacting directly with senior executives or working hands-on with manufacturing operations.Have spent most of your career in narrowly defined ERP administration, application support, or infrastructure positions with limited exposure outside your specialty.Want a fully remote position.Why Consider This Opportunity?The organization is intentionally building a broader, more business-aligned technology function where IT is expected to create business value, not simply keep systems running.You’ll have the opportunity to influence how technology supports a growing advanced manufacturing organization, work directly with executive and operational leadership, and take ownership of initiatives with visible impact across the business.For the right people, these positions also offer meaningful long-term leadership potential as the organization continues to grow.Employment Eligibility & Security RequirementsThese positions support manufacturing operations associated with U.S. government and defense-related programs.U.S. citizenship is required, and employment is contingent upon the ability to satisfy all applicable government, export-control, facility-access, and security requirements.