SUMMARY:
The Director of IT Business Applications will provide leadership and overall direction for a diverse team focused on business analysis, governance, project management, app dev and application support for a mix of custom and cloud software solutions. This scope includes contributing to the overall management of existing and new applications supporting a corporate headquarters, 17 manufacturing plants, 2 distribution centers and a remote sales office in North America.
The position is located is Los Angeles and currently required to work onsite 4 days per week, with remote work from home on Fridays.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
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Lead the IT Business Applications team supporting ERP, CRM, HR, Manufacturing, BI and other specialty solutions with a mix of cloud and custom apps. This position will have managers / supervisors and other team members as direct reports.
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Advise the Head of Information Technology and collaborate with Director of IT Operations (who manages infrastructure, network, cybersecurity, Help Desk and related IT Ops functions).
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Stay current on the latest technology trends, including progressive knowledge and experience with practical AI use for IT productivity and business value delivery.
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Architect an AI-Ready Data Foundation: Lead the modernization of data architectures to ensure all business applications—including the new cloud ERP—are optimized for AI consumption through high data quality, accessibility, and security.
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Responsible for day-to-day business application support, monitoring solutions and ensuring high system availability.
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Establish Data Governance for Innovation: Define and enforce data governance policies that treat data as a strategic asset, ensuring "clean" data feeds for automated workflows and custom-built AI agents.
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Identify, hire and mentor talent necessary to staff IT Business Applications organization.
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Facilitate effective and proactive business engagement through strategic planning, requirements definition, analysis, application support, issue resolution and ongoing training.
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Manage the business governance process to help define priorities, rationalize needs, facilitate consensus, maintain business accountability and drive near / long-term roadmaps.
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Implement expert project management disciplines using appropriate methodologies, tools and best practices.
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Lead application functions including analysis, requirements definition, development / configuration, testing, user acceptance, release management, system administration and production support.
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Provide strategic guidance on application solutions, architectures and support for business processes.
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Manage legacy ERP support while leading the selection, design, configuration, testing and implementation of a new, cloud-based ERP for core business functions.
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Lead application development functions with support from Dev Manager to maintain, enhance and implement custom solutions, integrated with the ERP platform.
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Provide direction on integration architectures, data management, application development, and BI reporting.
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Manage quality assurance through discipline in test planning, test execution, user acceptance and release management.
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Define and implement business application team policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.
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Develop and support a diverse team including all recruiting, staffing, role definition, goal setting and performance management.
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Leverage 3rd party application services and consulting expertise as appropriate.
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Develop and track ROI for significant project investments and metrics for IT application service levels.
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Implement and manage application-related controls, information security and compliance processes.
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Support IT leadership functions including annual planning, budgeting, status reporting, executive presentations and continuous improvement.
This position supervises all IT Business Application staff including business analysts, application developers, project and dev managers and vendors / partners.
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Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Business or other discipline combined with directly relevant, practical experience.
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10+ years hands-on experience with IT Business Applications including ERP implementations, CRM platforms, Business Intelligence / Analytics, analysis, custom development, business governance / support, project management and IT methodologies.
- Support for diverse business functions including F&A, Sales, Marketing, HR, Procurement, Operations, Manufacturing, Inventory Control, etc. for 1,000+ system users in a distributed environment with 4 or more locations.
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5+ years’ experience leading an IT Business Application organization of at least 15 people.
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Ind-depth knowledge of Manufacturing business processes and operations is highly valued.
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Practical experience with leading the design and implementation of ERP solutions such as SAP, Oracle and NetSuite is required. Must have expert methodology skills and demonstrated background in ERP implementation and project management.
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Deep understanding and progressive experience leveraging integrated AI tools to automate processes, improve productivity and support code development.
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Expertise in leading app dev teams for supporting custom solutions using relevant methodologies and technologies (C#, Python, PHP, .NET, SQL, etc.).
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Proven skills in AI Agents and the use of low-code platforms for rapid application development (e.g., Microsoft Power Apps, Outsystems, Agentforce, Mendix).
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Design, implementation and management of various best-in-class supporting software and cloud solutions such as Salesforce, Paycom, Workday, ServiceNow, Hyperion, etc.
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Data model, analytics and BI reporting solution design and delivery (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
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Integration architecture implementation and support (MuleSoft, Boomi, Workato, etc.)
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Modern Data Stack Knowledge: Familiarity with high-performance data environments (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, or advanced SQL environments) that enable real-time AI processing and predictive analytics.
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Practical knowledge of ITIL application processes and implementation.
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Proven track record of delivering large-scale, cross-functional projects.
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Ability to read, interpret and summarize technical documentation and procedures.
- Strong writing, content development and correspondence skills. Ability to present and speak effectively in meetings, with content tailored to the audience.
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Demonstrated ability to attract and retain superior information technology talent.
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Experience with project management techniques, methodologies and best practices supported by practical execution. Formal training a plus.
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Hands-on, collaborative leadership style with a heavy focus on business engagement.
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Experience leading organizations that support a 24x7x365 environment.
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Proven ability to lead managers / supervisors toward both tactical and strategic goals.
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Solid vendor and contract resource management are required.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as production rates, discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to work with measurements. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel and to talk or to hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function
NOTE: The work environment may differ when traveling to Plant locations. The employee may be exposed to working around moving machinery and vehicles, inclement weather or other outside environment conditions.
