Sr. Manager of Digital Transformation and Mfg. IT Strategy

Sr. Manager of Digital Transformation & Manufacturing IT Strategy

Location: Nexteer Automotive Corporation - Saginaw MI (USA)

Reports To: U.S. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About the Role: We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Manager or Director to lead our digital transformation and manufacturing IT strategy. As a direct report to our U.S. COO and a key member of their staff, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that drive operational excellence, digital innovation, and cultural change across our manufacturing operations. You will serve as a change agent, partnering with cross-functional leaders to deliver scalable digital solutions, foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure our teams are equipped for the future of smart manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a digital transformation roadmap aligned with business and operational priorities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to deploy digital tools, advanced analytics, automation, and AI in manufacturing environments.
• Champion change management, driving adoption of new technologies and data-driven decision making.
• Oversee the integration and optimization of manufacturing IT systems (MES, IoT, traceability, analytics platforms).
• Ensure data governance, cybersecurity, and compliance with quality and customer requirements.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to IT and digital teams, fostering talent development and high performance.
• Translate complex technical challenges into actionable business solutions.
• Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and cost through digital initiatives.
• Partner with Finance, HR, and Supply Chain to assess and optimize back-office business systems & processes, identifying opportunities for automation, data integration, & workflow improvement.
• Build and develop an IT and digital team, with organizational structure and size defined based on evolving business priorities and growth needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in IT, digital transformation, or manufacturing technology, with at least 2 years in a multinational or industrial environment.
• Proven track record of leading digitalization and change management initiatives in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing IT systems (MES, IoT, traceability, automation, analytics, cloud platforms).
• Strong experience with SQL, data platforms, and integration technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Excellent communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI/machine learning applications in operations.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Knowledge of IT security, backup/recovery, and compliance standards.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to technical and operational teams.
• Experience with ERP platforms (SAP, QAD, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent) in a manufacturing or industrial context.
• Proven ownership of a BI or reporting capability - not just tool familiarity, but building and sustaining reporting infrastructure that business stakeholders actually rely on.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with a digital innovation mindset.
• Strong business partnership and customer focus.
• Integrity, accountability, and a passion for quality.
• Collaborative, transparent communicator and relationship builder.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Why Join Us?

• Be a key driver of digital transformation at a global manufacturing leader.
• Work directly with executive leadership and influence company-wide strategy.
• Lead high-impact projects that shape the future of our operations.
• Competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth.