IT Manager

We are creating a new position for an IT Manager position. This hire will build the position

function and run it. You’ll lead a two-person team of Systems Analyst / Network Administrators.

This is a hands-on leadership position; half leadership, half hands-on technical work.

Most IT manager openings are backfills you inherit someone else’s decisions and spend two

years unwinding them. This one is a blank sheet. The systems are here, the team is here, and the

budget authority comes with the seat. What’s missing is someone to lead it.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports to the VP of Operations and will operate between both plants in South Elgin, IL and

Genoa, IL.

FIRST 18 MONTH IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

1. Security and disaster recovery. Harden our posture, get backups and DR genuinely tested

rather than assumed, mature identity and patching, and stand behind our answers on cyber-

insurance and customer security questionnaires.

2. Infrastructure modernization. Server and network refresh, plant wireless coverage, end-of-

life hardware, and real resilience for the systems that keep two plants running.

JOB TASKS

• The team. Lead, develop, and set priorities for two Systems Analyst / Network

Administrators. Make sure both plants are covered.

• Infrastructure and network. Windows Server, virtualization, Fortinet firewalls,

switching, VLANs, wireless, Microsoft 365 and Entra ID, and the endpoint fleet

• Security, backup, and DR. Owned, tested, and documented not inherited and hoped

for.

• ERP and IBM i (AS/400). You keep the platform healthy hardware, software,

patching, access, and the vendor relationship. You do not need to write RPG or

program the AS/400.

• Data and reporting. SQL Server, Microsoft Fabric, and the Power BI reporting the

business runs on.

• The plant floor. Machine networks, shop-floor terminals and printers, PLC/HMI

connectivity, and the IT/OT boundary at both sites.

• Telecom and building systems. Phone system, time clocks, badge access, cameras.

• Budget and vendors. The IT budget, capital requests, contract negotiation, and vendor

relationships.

• AI adoption. Partner on our company-wide AI initiative tooling, governance, and

helping people actually use it.

REQUIREMENTS

• 7+ years of progressive IT and infrastructure experience, including 2+ years supervising

staff or leading projects and vendors.

• A bachelor’s degree in IT/Computer Science or current, relevant certifications

one or the other. We care that you’ve formally learned this, not where.

• Manufacturing or industrial IT experience. You understand that a line down is a

different emergency than a laptop down, and that IT serves the shop floor as much as the

office.

• Hands-on networking and firewall administration. Real LAN/WAN, routing,

switching, VLANs, and firewall work not desktop support with “networking” listed as

a skill.

• Personal ownership of backup, DR, and security posture at a previous employer. Not

following someone else’s runbook owning the thing.

• Ability to work onsite and split your time between the South Elgin and Genoa plants.

• Availability as the escalation point for after-hours issues affecting production. Your team

handles first-line; you’re the call when it’s serious.

Nice to have

• Fortinet experience (it’s what we run)

• IBM i / AS-400 or comparable legacy ERP exposure

• MSP (managed service provider) background

• VMware or Hyper-V, Azure/M365 administration

• SQL Server, Power BI, or Microsoft Fabric

• Certifications: CCNA, Fortinet NSE/FCP, CompTIA Network+/Security+, Azure, ITIL

POSITION BENEFITS

A full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as short-term

and long-term disability, 401K, etc. $85,000 – $105,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.