IT Director

The Company

Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, but also the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint.

In the Americas region, HI-LEX has grown steadily and now has ten manufacturing facilities across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., HI-LEX operates under three divisions: HI-LEX America in Battle Creek, Michigan; HI-LEX Controls in Hudson, Litchfield, and Hazel Park, Michigan; and Daedong HI-LEX of America in Cusseta, Alabama. The company’s automotive center is in Rochester Hills, Michigan which consists of human resources, finance, sales, engineering, testing, program management, and will serve as the home location for the new Director of Information Technology position.

Department: Information Technology

Reports to: Vice President in Saltillo, Mexico

Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan

Job Type: Full-time

Position Summary

The Director of Information Technology will report directly to the Vice President of HI-LEX Controls Inc. in Saltillo, Mexico, serving as the central leader for all IT operations across the United States and Mexico. HI-LEX is currently implementing a shared services model to better support and lead all business groups. To streamline operations, this Director will lead and manage the IT department, which includes IT Managers responsible for Operations, Infrastructure, EDI, ERP, Sequencing, Information Security, and Data Protection.

This is a hands-on leadership role with full tactical responsibility for the entire IT department.

Key responsibilities

• IT Leadership:
  Manage the IT department, acting as the primary point of contact for the Vice President for strategic planning, budget reviews, and corporate metrics. This includes regular weekly and monthly check-ins to ensure alignment on business goals.
• Infrastructure Management:
  Oversee the daily operations of all IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and data centers. The focus is on ensuring maximum reliability, security, and uptime for 24/7 manufacturing operations.
• System Oversight:
  Take charge of critical automotive systems such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
• Factory Floor Technology:
  Lead the implementation and management of technology on the factory floor, including robotics control systems and automated testing equipment.
• Strategic Improvement:
  Assess current systems and drive strategic improvements in data management, processes, and procedures to consistently exceed both customer and internal expectations.

Key Roles And Responsibilities

The IT Director is a key leader responsible for aligning technology with the company’s long-term business goals. This includes:

• Technology Strategy and Planning
  :
  Develop and execute a comprehensive IT strategy that directly supports business goals and the company's vision. This involves assessing the current tech environment, identifying opportunities for improvement, and creating a clear technology roadmap to boost efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.

• IT Operations and Infrastructure
  :
  Oversee all daily IT operations, including networks, servers, and data centers, to guarantee maximum uptime and reliability for 24/7 manufacturing operations. This role is also responsible for ensuring high availability, disaster recovery, and robust backup procedures.

• IT Governance and Policy
  :
  Establish and enforce IT governance frameworks, policies, and best practices to ensure compliance with standards like JSOX and TISAX, as well as customer cybersecurity audit requirements. This ensures technology investments meet regulatory and industry standards, protecting the organization’s information assets.

• Budgeting and Resource Management
  :
  Manage the IT budget, which includes forecasting technology needs, allocating…