SENIOR IT MANAGER Little Rock, AR

Lead the complete IT function for a large-scale manufacturing operation where your technical leadership will directly enable production continuity, operational excellence, and strategic expansion across a growing U.S. manufacturing footprint.

MUST-HAVES

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Required Experience:

8 to 12 years of progressive IT experience
Minimum 4 to 5 years in an IT leadership or supervisory role
Experience managing IT infrastructure, help desk, networking, servers, cybersecurity, and business applications
Experience within manufacturing, industrial, heavy equipment, automotive, energy, or similar plant environments
Experience supporting ERP systems and manufacturing operations
Experience managing technical teams and vendor relationships

Required Technical Knowledge:

Strong knowledge of networking, firewalls, VPNs, servers, backup systems, endpoint management, and Microsoft environments

STRONGLY PREFERRED:

Experience supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations
Exposure to IT/OT environments and plant-floor connectivity
Experience supporting plant expansions, startups, or major infrastructure upgrades
Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST or CIS Controls
Certifications such as ITIL, CCNA, Microsoft, CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CISM, or PMP

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a hands-on leadership role within a complex manufacturing environment supporting production, coating, logistics, workshop, and yard operations. You will lead a small technical team while partnering closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, finance, HR, supply chain, logistics, corporate IT, vendors, and external service providers. This position is critical as the organization continues expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint.

You will own site IT infrastructure, end-user support, ERP/business application support coordination, cybersecurity coordination, IT assets, vendors, documentation, and technology readiness for plant operations. This role requires a visible, responsive leader who can work with executives in the morning, troubleshoot plant-floor connectivity issues in the afternoon, and coordinate cybersecurity or ERP escalations the same day.

SITE IT LEADERSHIP

Lead the overall IT function including infrastructure, help desk, ERP/business systems support, cybersecurity coordination, IT assets, vendors, documentation, and IT project execution
Assign priorities across infrastructure, applications, and help desk support resources based on plant needs, service levels, and project commitments
Ensure IT support is aligned with production continuity, safety, operational excellence, and corporate IT standards
Build a service-oriented IT culture focused on responsiveness, quality, documentation, follow-through, and accountability

IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT

Own the performance, reliability, and security of LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, switches, routers, firewalls, servers, storage, backups, virtualization, and cloud/hybrid systems
Oversee Microsoft 365, Active Directory, email, Teams, SharePoint, endpoint management, printers, scanners, conference room technology, and end-user devices
Ensure server rooms, racks, cabling, UPS systems, and shop-floor connectivity are maintained to support 24/7 manufacturing operations
Deliver reliable IT systems with disciplined service levels, strong documentation, and alignment with corporate IT standards

HELP DESK & END-USER SUPPORT

Manage the site help desk function and ensure timely, professional support for office, plant, yard, and logistics users
Set service-level expectations, monitor ticket performance, ensure appropriate escalation, and develop SOPs for recurring issues
Oversee employee onboarding/offboarding, laptops, desktops, printers, phones, access requirements, and IT asset assignment/recovery
Provide hands-on leadership and escalation support for plant-floor and office IT issues

ERP & BUSINESS APPLICATIONS SUPPORT

Oversee first-level site support for ERP and other business applications, coordinating with corporate IT teams or external consultants as required
Support user access requests, role coordination, reporting, troubleshooting, and process issue escalation
Ensure application availability for finance, procurement, inventory, production planning, quality, maintenance, HR, logistics, and management reporting users

MANUFACTURING & PLANT IT SUPPORT

Ensure IT systems support production office and shop-floor connectivity, quality systems, maintenance and engineering systems, yard/logistics connectivity, warehouse/inventory systems, and site security systems where applicable
Partner with operations, engineering, automation, and OT teams to support plant systems and minimize disruption to production
Ensure IT requirements are included early in new line, expansion, commissioning, and facility projects

CYBERSECURITY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Support site-level cybersecurity controls including endpoint protection, patch compliance, firewall/VPN access, MFA, user access reviews, backups, and vendor access control
Coordinate cyber incident escalation and response with corporate IT and external support partners
Promote cybersecurity awareness, user discipline, and practical risk management across the site

IT PROJECTS & EXPANSION SUPPORT

Lead or coordinate IT projects such as network upgrades, Wi-Fi expansion, server and backup improvements, cybersecurity initiatives, ERP/application rollouts, office technology upgrades, cabling/fiber projects, hardware refresh programs, and new facility IT readiness
Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and with proper documentation and handover
Help prepare the organization for continued operational growth, digitalization, cybersecurity maturity, and manufacturing expansion

VENDOR & CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

Manage local IT vendors and service providers including telecom providers, hardware/software suppliers, managed service providers, cybersecurity vendors, cabling contractors, and cloud/data center partners
Ensure vendors provide reliable service, competitive pricing, timely response, and proper documentation

IT GOVERNANCE, COMPLIANCE & DOCUMENTATION

Maintain disciplined IT governance including asset inventory, software licenses, network diagrams, server/system documentation, backup procedures, user access records, IT policies, SOPs, change records, audit support, and budget tracking
Ensure IT controls are practical, auditable, and aligned with corporate requirements

TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

Lead, coach, and develop the local IT team, building technical capability, cross-training, backup coverage, and a disciplined escalation structure
Bring structure, urgency, technical depth, and strong customer-service discipline to the IT function

WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE EXCEPTIONAL

This is an opportunity to bring your manufacturing IT expertise to a growing organization where technology directly enables production success. You will have the autonomy to build IT capability, lead strategic initiatives, and make a lasting impact on plant operations and expansion readiness.

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