Director of Enterprise Applications - Operations

Great Dane LLC; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Dental, vision, and medical benefits

Pension plan and 401(k) with employer

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Great Dane seeks a Director, Enterprise Applications - Operations to partner with the EVP of Manufacturing and lead the technology strategy for manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and engineering. You will steer the portfolio including JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and MES tools, drive digital transformation, and deliver measurable business value.

You will mentor a team of analysts, align roadmaps with plant needs, and ensure governance, security, and continuity across all operational systems.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, business administration or related field.
• Experience: Extensive implementation and management experience with ERP (JD Edwards preferred) and other manufacturing, supply chain and quality systems.
• Thorough understanding of the functional and technical landscapes of these systems.
• Experience in leading inter-organization change to increase efficiency by the implementation of technology.
• Expertise in investigating, negotiating and selecting outside services and computer software.
• Skills: Fully knowledgeable of the systems development life cycle, system utilities and development tools, application software packages used in development or support of production systems.
• In-depth knowledge of company operations, within functional business areas as well as cross-functional.
• Expertise in leading and managing a professional IT staff.
• Travel: Must be able to travel domestically up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary IT business partner to the Executive Vice President of Operations, aligning technology strategy with business objectives across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering.
• Develop and execute the technology roadmap for operational systems and capabilities, ensuring investments support productivity, quality, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Lead the operational application portfolio, including JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, RFGen mobile ERP transaction tools, ProPlanner MES and other related manufacturing, supply chain, manufacturing engineering, and quality systems.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives, business process improvements, and technology-enabled innovation across operations.
• Oversee the delivery of application projects, enhancements, upgrades, production support and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring successful execution and business value realization.
• Own ERP application security governance, including user access controls, role design, segregation of duties, audit support, remediation of findings, and annual audit activities in partnership with Finance, Internal Audit, external auditors, and IT Security.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Business Systems Analysts responsible for supporting operational applications, projects, and business initiatives.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, analytics, and emerging technologies that improve business performance.
• Establish strong governance, prioritization, and demand management processes to ensure technology resources are focused on the highest-value business opportunities.
• Ensure reliable application support and operational continuity across manufacturing plants, supply chain operations, engineering functions, and corporate teams.
• Manage relationships with software vendors, implementation partners, and consulting organizations while overseeing budgets and technology investments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

JD Edwards ERP

Manufacturing & SC systems

Leadership & mentoring

IT security governance

Change management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IS or related field

Tools

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

RFGen

ProPlanner MES

Job description

Overview

THE ROLE

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and we’re calling on them to join our expanding team, the time has never been better to Embrace Your Great and work in an environment with the highest safety standards in the industry.

The Position: The Director, Enterprise Applications - Operations will serve as the primary IT business partner to the Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and his team to lead the technology strategy, application portfolio, and business systems team supporting Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering. This role is responsible for defining and executing the technology roadmap that supports Great Dane's operational capabilities while ensuring operational applications, projects, and improvement initiatives deliver measurable business value. The Director will lead a team of Business Systems Analysts and work closely with operational leaders to optimize business processes, drive continuous improvement, support production applications and support the company's ongoing digital transformation journey. This individual will combine deep manufacturing and supply chain business knowledge with strong enterprise application leadership experience, preferably including JD Edwards EnterpriseOne in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Serve as the primary IT business partner to the Executive Vice President of Operations, aligning technology strategy with business objectives across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering.
• Develop and execute the technology roadmap for operational systems and capabilities, ensuring investments support productivity, quality, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Lead the operational application portfolio, including JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, RFGen mobile ERP transaction tools, ProPlanner MES and other related manufacturing, supply chain, manufacturing engineering, and quality systems.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives, business process improvements, and technology-enabled innovation across operations.
• Oversee the delivery of application projects, enhancements, upgrades, production support and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring successful execution and business value realization.
• Own ERP application security governance, including user access controls, role design, segregation of duties, audit support, remediation of findings, and annual audit activities in partnership with Finance, Internal Audit, external auditors, and IT Security.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Business Systems Analysts responsible for supporting operational applications, projects, and business initiatives.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, analytics, and emerging technologies that improve business performance.
• Establish strong governance, prioritization, and demand management processes to ensure technology resources are focused on the highest-value business opportunities.
• Ensure reliable application support and operational continuity across manufacturing plants, supply chain operations, engineering functions, and corporate teams.
• Manage relationships with software vendors, implementation partners, and consulting organizations while overseeing budgets and technology investments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

YOUR SKILLS & ABILITIES (REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, business administration or related field.
• Experience: Extensive implementation and management experience with ERP (JD Edwards preferred) and other manufacturing, supply chain and quality systems.
• Thorough understanding of the functional and technical landscapes of these systems.
• Experience in leading inter-organization change to increase efficiency by the implementation of technology.
• Expertise in investigating, negotiating and selecting outside services and computer software.
• Skills: Fully knowledgeable of the systems development life cycle, system utilities and development tools, application software packages used in development or support of production systems.
• In-depth knowledge of company operations, within functional business areas as well as cross-functional.
• Expertise in leading and managing a professional IT staff.
• Travel: Must be able to travel domestically up to 25% of the time.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office and plant environment.
• Keyboarding, lifting, standing, bending, walking.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT GREAT DANE

With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader of today – delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; we foster relationships that last a lifetime.

WHY WORK FOR US?

Great Dane is a leading manufacturer of dry-freight vans, refrigerated trailers, and flatbeds with 10 manufacturing facilities and 20 service centers throughout the United States. With a legacy like ours comes a dedication to the hard-working individuals that make Great Dane what it is today. Our jobs are waiting to be filled by driven, challenge-focused & enthusiastic people like you.

Our culture is comprised of “Champions” and offers a rewarding workplace rooted in core values of safety, leadership, integrity, quality, and passion. Every employee has opportunities to learn, to grow, to succeed and to be engaged in a collaborative environment.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• Competitive compensation
• Benefits, including but not limited to dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions
• Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid holidays and vacation
• And more!

SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range for this role is $116,663 - $237,506 per year.

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your exact pay, we may also consider your skills, experience, and other job-related factors.

Great Dane is an Equal Opportunity Employer