IT General Manager
About the Role
A global manufacturing organization specializing in advanced plastic components, primarily serving the automotive industry is seeking an IT General Manager. The organization combines deep technical expertise with a forward-looking approach to “monozukuri” (craftsmanship in manufacturing), emphasizing sustainability, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.
This is an opportunity to join a well-established yet evolving company investing in digital transformation and modern IT infrastructure to support its next phase of growth. The IT General Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and continuous improvement of both Information Systems (IS) and IT functions.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of IT experience, including ERP, infrastructure, and security within a manufacturing environment
- 8+ years of progressive leadership experience
- Proven experience managing multiple IT functions or departments
- Deep expertise in ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA strongly preferred), infrastructure, and cybersecurity
- Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and production systems (MES experience preferred)
- Solid knowledge of network architecture, client/server systems, and enterprise applications
- Hands-on experience with servers, networks, backup systems, and Wi-Fi environments
- SAP experience highly preferred
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Define and execute IT and Information Systems strategy aligned with business and manufacturing objectives
- Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities for digital transformation and operational efficiency
- Develop short- and long-term technology roadmaps supporting growth and scalability
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across systems, processes, and data utilization
Enterprise Systems & ERP Governance
- Oversee ERP (SAP preferred), MES, BI tools, and core enterprise applications
- Lead system implementations, upgrades, and integrations across business units
- Ensure data accuracy, reporting reliability, and system optimization
- Establish governance frameworks, documentation standards, and change management processes
- Maintain high availability through robust disaster recovery and business continuity planning
IT Infrastructure & Operations
- Oversee networks, servers, cloud environments, and end-user support
- Ensure stability, performance, and scalability of all IT services
- Manage hardware/software lifecycle, standardization, and procurement
- Support both office and production environments, including plant-floor systems
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
- Develop and enforce cybersecurity strategy, policies, and controls
- Ensure compliance with security standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations
- Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies
- Lead incident response planning and security awareness initiatives
Financial & Vendor Management
- Manage IT budgets, capital planning, and cost optimization initiatives
- Evaluate and negotiate vendor contracts and service agreements
- Ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value
- Maintain strong partnerships with external technology providers
Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop IT and IS teams
- Establish performance expectations and professional development plans
- Promote cross-functional collaboration with operations, engineering, and finance
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and service-oriented IT support