IT & Systems Manager

Description

IT & Systems Manager

What We Are Looking For:

This role is best suited to someone who thrives in a smaller IT environment where they wear multiple hats — leading a team one moment and personally fixing a network issue or supporting an ERP user the next. You should be comfortable balancing strategic IT planning with direct, hands-on execution in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. This individual should be able to work well with a team that has varying degrees of technology acumen as training of new systems and system changes will be required from time to time.

Job Description:

We are seeking a hands-on multi-site IT Manager to lead and personally execute the day-to-day technology of our manufacturing operations. This is not a purely administrative or strategy-only role — the ideal candidate is comfortable rolling up their sleeves to troubleshoot a server issue, configure a switch, resolve a user ticket, or work directly with our ERP system, while also managing a small team, vendor relationships, and long-term IT planning. This role blends leadership with active, in-the-trenches technical work across systems, infrastructure, and business applications.

The IT Manager serves as the primary point of accountability for company technology, including network and server infrastructure, ERP and business applications, cybersecurity, hardware and software, user support, telecommunications, data protection, vendor relationships, and technology projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Supervision

· Supervise, mentor, and develop IT support staff, setting priorities and ensuring timely resolution of help desk tickets and projects

· Develop IT support team to ensure company has redundancy

· Serve as a working member of the team — personally handling escalated issues, hands-on infrastructure work, and critical incidents alongside direct reports

· Establish IT policies, procedures, and documentation standards

Microsoft 365 & Azure Administration

· Manage and support the M365 environment, including Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and licensing

· Administer Azure resources, including Azure AD (Entra ID), conditional access policies, virtual machines, and cloud infrastructure as needed

· Ensure proper configuration of identity, security, and collaboration tools across the organization

Active Directory & Identity Management

· Manage on-premises Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP

· Administer user provisioning/deprovisioning, permissions, and security groups

· Support hybrid identity synchronization between on-prem AD and Azure AD/Entra ID

Networking & Server Infrastructure

· Maintain and troubleshoot LAN/WAN, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, and VPN connectivity across office and plant floor environments

· Monitor network performance and security, and respond to outages or degraded performance

· Support infrastructure of production systems that intersect with IT networks

· Maintain and improve the Windows server environment, including a small Hyper-V

Lifecycle Management

· Own the technology lifecycle for hardware (PCs, laptops, servers, mobile devices, printers) and software, including budgeting, procurement, deployment, and end-of-life replacement planning

· Maintain accurate inventory and asset management records

· Plan and execute upgrades/refresh cycles with minimal disruption to production and office operations

ERP Support (Made2Manage)

· Serve as the primary IT point of contact for the Made2Manage ERP system, including user support, system administration, and basic troubleshooting

· Coordinate with the ERP vendor and internal stakeholders on upgrades, patches, integrations, and issue resolution

· Support data integrity, report generation, and system access controls within the ERP

· Responsible for deployment of ERP changes, add-ons and integrations. 

· Training in new ERP modules, add-ons and changes

Vendor & Contract Management

· Manage relationships with IT vendors, MSPs, telecom providers, and software/hardware suppliers

· Negotiate and manage contracts, licensing agreements, warranties, and service-level agreements (SLAs)

· Evaluate new vendors/solutions and manage the RFP/procurement process when needed

Security & Compliance

· Implement and maintain cybersecurity best practices, including endpoint protection, backup/disaster recovery, and patch management

· Monitor for security threats and lead incident response when issues arise

· Ensure IT practices align with any relevant compliance or customer security requirements

General IT Management

· Manage the IT budget and track spending against forecasts

· Plan for business continuity and disaster recovery

· Provide end-user support and training on systems and best practices

· Partner with department leaders to identify technology needs that support manufacturing operations and business growth

· Stay current on emerging technologies relevant to manufacturing and recommend improvements

· Responsibility for establishing enterprise IT standards and approving or recommending technology solutions before departments purchase or implement them.

· Identify, assess, document, and communicate significant technology and cybersecurity risks to executive leadership.

· Review and approve or provide technical authorization for new software, hardware, cloud applications, integrations, and technology services before implementation.

· Establish and maintain company-wide IT architecture, technology, cybersecurity, and system standards across all company locations.

Qualifications:

· 5+ years of progressive IT experience, including experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred

· 2+ years of experience supervising or leading IT staff

· Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 and Azure/Entra ID administration

· Solid working knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS/DHCP, Windows Server

· Demonstrated networking experience (switches, firewalls, VPNs, Wi-Fi troubleshooting)

· Experience managing hardware/software lifecycle and IT asset management

· Experience with ERP systems required; Made2Manage experience strongly preferred

· Proven vendor and contract negotiation experience

· Strong troubleshooting skills and willingness to be hands-on with day-to-day technical issues, not just oversight

· Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with production, operations, and executive teams

· Relevant certifications a plus (e.g., Microsoft, Network+, Security+, ITIL)

Work Environment:

· Reports to: Director, Accounting and Administration

· Setting: On-Site. Office-based, with possible on-call or weekend work. 

· Hours: Typically full-time, with flexibility for after-hours support