IT Director

IT

Garner, Iowa – Direct Hire – Apr 13, 2026

Direct Hire | North Iowa | Hybrid (onsite to start, then 3 days/week)

Relocation Assistance Provided

Join a thriving $250M manufacturing company with 350 employees across six locations and an aggressive growth trajectory — targeting $500M in revenue over the next five years. This growth is fueled by strategic acquisitions, and IT is a core enabler of that vision. The company offers a collaborative, employee‑owned culture with a strong commitment to technology modernization and long‑term leadership development.

Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.

The Director of IT – Infrastructure & Operations (I&O) provides strategic and operational leadership for the enterprise technology foundation. This role defines and executes the vision for infrastructure, platform services, and IT operations to ensure reliable, secure, and scalable business capabilities. The Director drives modernization, service excellence, and continuous improvement while aligning I&O capabilities with business strategy and future‑state needs. This is a newly created position resulting from company growth — with a clear path to CIO for the right long‑term leader.

• Define and execute the I&O strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise IT and business objectives
• Lead modernization and innovation of infrastructure and operations, including an active Azure cloud migration across a Microsoft‑first environment
• Oversee IT service management (ITSM), asset management, and approximately 1,000 endpoints across six sites
• Provide operational support for both IT and OT (operations technology), including robotics and plant floor systems in a manufacturing environment
• Lead IT infrastructure integration for mergers and acquisitions
• Ensure high availability, resilience, and disaster recovery readiness across all infrastructure and platforms
• Partner with security leadership to embed enterprise security practices into all infrastructure and operations activities
• Own I&O financial management, including budgeting, cost optimization, and vendor/contract governance
• Build strong stakeholder relationships to ensure services are aligned, cost-effective, and deliver measurable business value
• Develop and lead a high‑performing team of 10, including one IT Manager direct report
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement

• Currently at the Director level (or equivalent) in IT infrastructure and operations
• 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including leadership roles; 3+ years leading strategy, budgeting, and technical teams
• Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments strongly preferred, including OT/plant floor support
• Hands‑on familiarity with ITSM platforms (Team Dynamix or similar), ERP environments, and Microsoft/Azure ecosystems
• Proven ability to scale and optimize IT operations in complex, multi‑site environments
• Experience leading or supporting M&A infrastructure integration
• Strong financial acumen: budgeting, vendor governance, and service delivery performance
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• Experience with AI/ML, automation, or self‑service technologies to improve operational efficiency
• Familiarity with Team Dynamix (ITSM) or Infor (ERP)
• Prior experience in a CIO succession or enterprise technology leadership pipeline role

• Base salary: $180,000 – $200,000
• Annual performance bonus: up to 30%
• ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan): 30% — build real ownership in the company you help grow
• Relocation/signing bonus available for candidates outside the area
• Company‑sponsored continuing education