Director - IT

1100 Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. in Lenexa, KS seeks an experienced Director of IT Operations for Fluid Power & Flow Control.

The role leads infrastructure, security, and helpdesk functions, balancing hands-on leadership with strategic roadmapping and cross‑functional collaboration across IT and business groups. The successful candidate will drive cloud and on‑premises initiatives, manage technical teams, and partner with corporate IT to deliver scalable, secure technology solutions aligned

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, MIS, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years’ IT experience and 10+ years leading technical professionals.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CCIE, or PMP are desirable.
• Experience with cloud, compute, network, EUC, or distributed systems.
• Experience with infrastructure automation and Infrastructure-as-Code.
• Azure experience is needed and hybrid on premise/cloud familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the IT Infrastructure & Helpdesk team to drive results and a one-team culture.
• Collaborate with IT PMO, enterprise solutions, and Web teams to foster partnerships across the organization.
• Create, own and execute an infrastructure roadmap for IT solutions.
• Manage cloud applications, compute, and infrastructure services (in-house and outsourced).
• Drive security, disaster recovery, and governance across Fluid Power & Flow Control IT.
• Support end-user applications, infrastructure, hardware, servers, and devices.
• Oversee PDM/PLM systems support for engineering teams and processes.
• Manage incidents, vendor relationships, and SLAs to meet business needs.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

IT operations

Cloud & security awareness

Education

B.S. in Computer Science / MIS / Business

CISSP / CCIE / PMP certifications

Tools

Azure

Epicor P21

Job description

Job Purpose & Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, IT - Fluid Power & Flow Control, the Director of IT Operations - Fluid Power & Flow Control is a key leadership role within IT. This role is responsible for IT Operations supporting infrastructure, network, application security, database operations & helpdesk of technology for the Fluid Power and Flow Control business groups. This position entails being a hands‑on leader while accomplishing results through direct reports as well as other associates throughout the enterprise.

Key Accountabilities & Duties

Lead and mentor the Fluid Power & Flow Control information technology Infrastructure & helpdesk team by creating a culture that fosters "one team culture" while driving results, engagement, passion, and enthusiasm for complex technology systems.

Collaborate with IT PMO, IT enterprise solutions, Web solutions as well as corporate IT team to foster a deep partnership & "One team" culture within.

Create, own & execute infrastructure roadmap to drive IT infrastructure solutions.

Identify the most efficient and effective use of both in‑house and out-sourced services for cloud applications, computing, and infrastructure services.

Develop, align with key strategic leaders on infrastructure strategic initiatives, and own/drive the roadmap leveraging the resources - in-house or out-sourced.

Develop relationships with the Fluid Power & Flow control business execute teams and key managers across the business group.

Develop relationships with corporate IT infrastructure and cyber security leadership team.

Remain informed on trends and issues in the technology industry, especially within Cloud Infrastructure, AI initiatives in order to advise, counsel, and educate management teams on the relative importance and financial as well as security impact.

Help define and drive infrastructure projects that support IT technology strategies and manage a secured sustaining highly scalable infrastructure.

Provide the business group with end user support and services for applications, infrastructure, and hardware including servers, laptops, printers, and scanners.

Manage and support Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for engineering teams and processes.

Manage production technology incidents to resolution, ensuring timely engagement, escalation, and effective communication to business, technology, and supplier partners.

Manage & support critical business functional tools such as phone systems, printers, scanners etc. for Fluid Power, Flow Control business.

Understand and support the organization’s cybersecurity program and practices including the identification, remediation, and recovery from threats and incidents.

Develop, implement, maintain, and oversee enforcement of policies, procedures, and associated plans for user system access based on industry‑standard best practices.

Develop, implement, and test the IT elements in the Disaster Recovery Plan for the Fluid Power & Flow Control business group.

Working with the team, create procedures to manage recurring automated patches for servers, and create & drive server upgrades proactively to remain up to the date mitigating security risks.

Analyze trends in operational and support metrics to identify improvement opportunities.

Procure and manage end user computer related hardware and software.

Manage relationships with suppliers and service providers to ensure they cost‑effectively meet the needs of the organization; ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are established, and service and operational metrics are collected, reviewed, and reported on, on a regular basis.

Participate in the Fluid Power & Flow Control IT Annual Operating Plan owning Infrastructure and helpdesk related activities.

All other tasks as assigned.

Occupational Experience & Education Requirements

Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Business, or related field.

10+ years' experience in IT.

10+ years' experience leading highly skilled technical professionals.

Professional certifications such as CISSP, CCIE, or PMP are highly desirable.

Experience with cloud, compute, network, EUC, or distributed systems.

Experience with infrastructure automation and Infrastructure-as-Code.

Experience with network management, system administration, cloud computing, and IT security.

Azure experience is needed.

Experience in hybrid on premise and cloud topologies

Knowledge of Epicor P21 is a plus.

Experience with web/Ecommerce infrastructure is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

Proven analytical and conceptual thinking and execution skills.

Advanced knowledge of systems design methodologies & development, including infrastructure voice and data communications technologies, security frameworks & methodologies, open architecture systems, common programming languages.

Proven ability to effectively utilize techniques designed to reduce frequency, duration, and impact of common business disruptions particularly a