Job Description
Director of IT – Manufacturing IT Systems
Location: Greater Chicago Area, IL
Job Type: Direct Hire
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | On-Site with Flexibility
Compensation: $187,341–$230,000 annually
Additional Compensation: Annual Incentive Plan
Relocation: Available
Job Type: Direct Hire
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | On-Site with Flexibility
Compensation: $187,341–$230,000 annually
Additional Compensation: Annual Incentive Plan
Relocation: Available
Overview
We are seeking a strategic Director of IT – Manufacturing IT Systems to lead technology initiatives supporting Production Operations, Finance & Accounting, and other critical business functions within a complex manufacturing organization.
This role will serve as a key business partner to executive leadership, translating business needs into technology strategy, managing a broad portfolio of initiatives, and driving successful implementation. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in complex, changing environments and can clearly communicate the business value of technology investments.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute IT strategy supporting Production Operations and Finance & Accounting.
- Serve as a strategic technology partner to business and executive leadership.
- Lead a broad portfolio of strategic and tactical IT initiatives.
- Oversee ERP transformation and business systems initiatives.
- Lead technology initiatives supporting manufacturing operations, business processes, and organizational growth.
- Manage departmental budgets and resources while maximizing technology ROI.
- Lead teams through change, implementation, and transformation.
- Build strong partnerships across IT, Production, Finance, Quality, and other business functions.
- Partner with cybersecurity and information risk teams to address technology and security requirements.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve business effectiveness.
- Communicate technology strategy and business value to executive leadership and build organizational buy-in.
- Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing IT teams.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
- 10+ years of IT experience, including 5+ years of progressive leadership experience.
- Experience supporting manufacturing or production operations as an IT leader.
- Experience working within a large, complex organization.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing IT systems and production operations technology.
- Experience with ERP transformation and business systems modernization.
- Proven ability to manage a high volume of strategic and tactical projects.
- Experience leading organizational change and technology implementations.
- Strong business and financial acumen, including significant IT budget management.
- Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, and gain buy-in for technology initiatives.
- Strong leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Experience
- Mid-to-large-sized manufacturing environment.
- OT, industrial technology, or manufacturing device experience.
- Large-scale technology growth or transformation initiatives.
- Finance & Accounting technology environments.
- Oracle ERP or comparable enterprise ERP platforms.
- Exposure to emerging technologies, including AI.
- Healthcare or other complex industry experience with comparable IT transformation leadership.
Benefits
- Medical and prescription coverage
- Dental and vision
- HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life and disability insurance
- Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
- Paid parental and military leave
- 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Employee assistance and wellbeing resources
- Family-forming benefits
- Annual incentive plan
- Relocation assistance
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Salary | $187,341–$230,000 Per Year |
| Company Size | 500 to 999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1969 |
| Website | http://www.sterling-engineering.com |
About Company
Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:
- Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.
- Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.
Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.
Skills
- Accountingunmatched
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)unmatched
- Budget Managementunmatched
- Business Processesunmatched
- Business Solutionsunmatched
- Business Transformationunmatched
- Channel Strategiesunmatched
- Communication Skillsunmatched
- Computer Scienceunmatched
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)unmatched
- Emerging Technologyunmatched
- Financeunmatched
- Healthcareunmatched
- Incentive Programsunmatched
- Information Technology & Information Systemsunmatched
- Internet Securityunmatched
- Leadershipunmatched
- Manufacturingunmatched
- Manufacturing Operationsunmatched
- Manufacturing Systemsunmatched
- Mentoringunmatched
- Operational Strategyunmatched
- Operational Supportunmatched
- Oracle ERPunmatched
- Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
- Process Improvementunmatched
- Production Supportunmatched
- Project/Program Managementunmatched
- Return on Investment (ROI)unmatched
- Riskunmatched
- System Operationsunmatched
- Team Lead/Managerunmatched
- Technical Leadershipunmatched
- Technical Operationsunmatched
- Technical Strategyunmatched
- Technical Supportunmatched
Level up your application
Professional resume templates
Browse dozens of recruiter approved resume templates, layouts and formats. Choose your favorite and make it your own in minutes.
Free resume templatesFree resume builder
Improve your existing resume or start from scratch and create a standout, ATS-friendly resume. Add job-specific content, download and apply.
Free resume builder