IT Business Systems Lead

Description

The IT Business Systems Lead is responsible for aligning Buck Knives’ technology capabilities with business objectives. This role focuses on business applications, data, and systems strategy rather than traditional IT infrastructure, which is managed through a third-party Managed Services Provider (MSP).

This individual will serve as the primary liaison between business functions and technology resources, ensuring that systems support operational efficiency, financial performance, and long-term scalability.

Buck Knives is currently in the ERP selection phase. As such, this role supports (rather than sets) ERP readiness efforts, including process documentation, data structure alignment, and gap identification, working alongside third-party advisory resources who will inform overall IT and ERP strategy. Once a platform is selected, this role will step into an internal IT project lead capacity for implementation, over the following 24–36 months.

The essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following-

• Act as the primary owner of Buck’s business systems architecture, including ERP, data, reporting, and supporting applications.
• Manage and lead day-to-day business application support within the IT function — including issue resolution, enhancement requests, and system administration — scaled appropriately given that core infrastructure, helpdesk, and security are handled by the MSP.
• Directly manage the business systems support team member(s), including, setting priorities, reviewing work, and supporting their development.
• Translate business needs into system solutions that improve efficiency, visibility, and decision‑making.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, Sales, and Marketing to identify and prioritize system improvements.

• Support (not lead) ERP readiness efforts, including process documentation, data structure alignment, and gap identification.
• Once a platform is selected, serve as the internal IT project lead for implementation, coordinating with external implementation partners and internal stakeholders.
• Note:
  
  overall ERP and IT strategy will be sourced from third‑party resources as needed; this role is focused on execution and internal coordination rather than setting strategic direction.

• Provide day‑to‑day management and leadership for the business‑application‑support side of the IT department; this is intentionally a scaled‑down department leadership scope given that infrastructure, helpdesk, and security are owned by the MSP.
• Manage one or more direct reports, setting expectations, reviewing performance, and prioritizing their workload.
• Operate as a working leader — balancing hands‑on execution with oversight and delegation — rather than a purely administrative manager.
• Direct and coordinate additional internal or contract technical resources (e.g., developers) as needed on specific projects

• Oversee development and maintenance of reporting and data structures to support business performance.
• Ensure data integrity and consistency across systems.
• Drive practical, decision‑useful reporting (not overly complex or theoretical analytics).

• Own the intake, prioritization, and execution of all systems‑related work.
• Lead and manage the efforts of deploying solutions and tracking their impact.
• Establish and manage a clear backlog of projects and requests aligned to company priorities.
• Manage project priorities across concurrent initiatives, adjusting sequencing as business needs shift.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Managed Services Provider.
• Ensure MSP performance aligns with service expectations (helpdesk, infrastructure, security).
• Coordinate external vendors supporting ERP, data, or other applications.

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and reduce manual processes through system improvements.
• Support cross‑functional initiatives to improve operational efficiency and margin performance.

• Minimum of a 4-year…