Manufacturing Applications Manager

We are seeking an experienced Software & Applications Manager to lead the development, integration, optimization, and ongoing support of enterprise business applications within a manufacturing environment. This position will manage a team of software developers, business systems analysts, product owners, and technical resources responsible for delivering technology solutions that improve operational efficiency, business performance, and the user experience.

The successful candidate will bring a combination of software development expertise, ERP application management, technical leadership, and business acumen. This individual will work closely with IT, Operational Technology (OT), business stakeholders, and data science teams to align application capabilities with organizational priorities and continuous improvement initiatives.

Software Development & Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of software developers, business systems analysts, product owners, and technical architects.

• Oversee the development, enhancement, integration, and support of custom software, .NET applications, ERP systems, and other enterprise business applications.

• Establish team objectives, performance expectations, professional development plans, and succession strategies.

• Manage departmental budgets, external development resources, and technology investments.

• Promote a collaborative, customer-focused culture emphasizing accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Enterprise Applications & Solution Design

• Oversee JD Edwards ERP applications, custom software solutions, system integrations, and related business applications.

• Partner with manufacturing and business leaders to understand operational processes, identify improvement opportunities, and translate business requirements into effective technology solutions.

• Develop application roadmaps and prioritize enhancements based on business value, operational needs, and strategic objectives.

• Guide software architecture, application modernization, system integration, and technology selection.

• Collaborate with data science teams on data accessibility, analytics, machine learning, and operational automation initiatives.

Project & Delivery Management

• Direct software development and implementation activities using Agile methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban.

• Manage project schedules, resources, budgets, risks, and deliverables to ensure successful execution.

• Provide technical direction to development teams on complex programming, integration, and application challenges.

• Oversee software development lifecycle practices, including design, development, testing, implementation, documentation, and change management.

• Advance automated testing, Dev Ops practices, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) capabilities.

• Coordinate external vendors and development partners to ensure quality, cost, and schedule expectations are achieved.

Business Partnership & Performance Improvement

• Collaborate with business and technology leadership to align software capabilities with manufacturing and enterprise objectives.

• Establish and monitor KPIs, OKRs, and software development performance metrics to evaluate team effectiveness and business value.

• Develop dashboards and reporting tools that provide visibility into application performance, project progress, and support activities.

• Communicate project priorities, risks, timelines, and investment recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve system reliability, and increase operational efficiency through technology.

Application Support, Security & Compliance

• Oversee ongoing application maintenance, troubleshooting, enhancements, and user support.

• Establish reliable support processes for business-critical applications, including after-hours support coverage as needed.

• Ensure secure software development practices, including code reviews, application testing, and compliance with established security requirements.

• Partner with IT Security and infrastructure teams to maintain reliable, secure, and integrated business systems.

• Improve system reliability through automation, proactive monitoring, and structured problem resolution.

• Support user training and technology adoption to maximize application capabilities and business benefits.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent…