IT Manager

Client Overview:
Our client is a leading aerospace and defense manufacturing organization specializing in electrical power systems for commercial and military aircraft. The company operates across multiple locations and emphasizes engineering excellence, operational reliability, quality, and compliance within a highly regulated industry. They are currently looking to add an IT Manager to their team. The successful IT Manager will be a hands-on leader who combines strong people and vendor management with practical technical expertise. Candidates should be comfortable setting strategy, establishing accountability, and directly engaging in technical troubleshooting when needed. This is a fully onsite leadership position in Woodbridge, NJ, with occasional travel to the West Coast.

Salary/Hourly Rate:
$160k - $190k, plus a 10% Bonus based on individual and company performance. Flexibility may be available for exceptional candidates.

Position Overview:
Our client is seeking an experienced IT Manager to lead technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and third-party service providers across a multi-site manufacturing environment. This role offers a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on technical involvement, with approximately 70% focused on leadership, vendor management, and operational oversight and 30% dedicated to hands-on support and technical problem-solving. The ideal IT Manager brings a strong background in manufacturing IT, experience managing managed service providers (MSPs), and a solid understanding of ERP systems and cybersecurity operations. This individual will take ownership of IT performance, establish clear priorities and accountability, and drive technology improvements aligned with business objectives. Reporting directly to executive leadership, the IT Manager will oversee technology supporting approximately 200 employees across New Jersey and the West Coast, partnering with internal stakeholders and external providers to maintain secure, reliable, and efficient operations. This role is on-site 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, in Woodbridge, NJ. It is a standard 40-hour work week with a flexible start time between 7:00 and 9:00 AM. Occasional travel to the West Coast is required.

Responsibilities of the IT Manager:

• Lead day-to-day IT operations across multiple manufacturing locations, ensuring reliable infrastructure and responsive technical support.
• Manage and hold MSPs, managed security service providers, and third-party technology vendors accountable for service quality, responsiveness, and contractual obligations.
• Establish operational priorities, track performance, resolve escalations, and drive accountability across internal teams and external providers.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, including Microsoft 365, Azure, VMware virtualization, networking, endpoints, and Windows-based systems.
• Maintain and improve cybersecurity operations, including SIEM and EDR monitoring, incident response coordination, endpoint protection, and vulnerability management.
• Manage identity and access controls, including single sign-on (SSO), multifactor authentication (MFA), directory services, and employee onboarding and offboarding workflows.
• Oversee network security activities, including firewall reviews, VPN administration, network segmentation, and configuration monitoring.
• Lead cybersecurity compliance and audit-readiness initiatives, including CMMC preparation, remediation tracking, policy maintenance, and evidence collection.
• Partner with Corporate Cybersecurity teams, external security providers, and compliance consultants to maintain secure and audit-ready systems.
• Support ERP operations and modernization, including the migration from Epicor 10 to Epicor Kinetic, in collaboration with the ERP lead.
• Coordinate infrastructure upgrades, technology roadmaps, disaster recovery improvements, business continuity planning, and IT asset lifecycle management.
• Evaluate technology vendors, oversee service agreements, and coordinate budgets and resource allocation for IT initiatives.
• Improve end-user experience, operational efficiency, technology adoption, and support processes across the organization.
• Develop and maintain IT policies, standard operating procedures, security documentation, and technical runbooks.
• Provide hands-on technical support and troubleshooting when necessary, particularly for complex infrastructure, ERP, and security issues.
• Participate in an on-call rotation for critical operational and cybersecurity incidents.

Required Experience/Skills for the IT Manager:

• 7+ years of progressive IT experience, including direct leadership of IT operations, vendors, and security programs.
• 5+ years of experience supporting IT operations within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing MSPs, outsourced IT providers, and third-party technology vendors.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems and the ability to support ERP operations and modernization initiatives.
• Hands-on experience across multiple cybersecurity domains, including security operations, identity and access management, endpoint defense, network security, and vulnerability management.
• Working knowledge of SIEM and EDR platforms, vulnerability scanners, identity providers, and cloud infrastructure, preferably Azure.
• Experience supporting Microsoft 365, Windows infrastructure, networking, virtualization, and authentication technologies.
• Familiarity with scripting in PowerShell, Python, or Bash for automation and operational tasks.
• Strong leadership, prioritization, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to nontechnical stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Willingness to work onsite five days per week and participate in an on-call rotation as needed.

Preferred Experience/Skills for the IT Manager:

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements and audit preparation.
• Experience with Epicor ERP or other manufacturing ERP and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) platforms.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 GCC High, Azure, VMware, Palo Alto firewalls, SharePoint, Power BI, and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Experience managing security audits, third-party risk assessments, and cybersecurity remediation programs.
• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCIE, CCNP Security, CompTIA Security+, CISA, or CRISC.
• Exposure to cloud security posture management (CSPM) and offensive security concepts.
• Experience leading IT modernization, infrastructure improvement, or disaster recovery initiatives.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a related discipline is required.
• Relevant industry certifications are a plus.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary.
• Additional 10% bonus based on individual and company performance.
• Client-provided benefits available, upon eligibility.
• Full-time, permanent employment opportunity.
• Flexible daily start time between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
• Opportunity to lead IT operations and influence technology strategy across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Direct visibility with executive leadership and ownership of infrastructure, cybersecurity, ERP, and compliance initiatives.
• Potential relocation assistance for qualified candidates.

Job Wrapping ID: #LI-AJ3

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Position ID: 410910