Director of Manufacturing Business Systems

Kensington International Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Kensington International Executive Search is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Business Systems for a growing multi-site manufacturing company in the Chicago area. You will lead the ERP platform, broader IT operations, and business systems, collaborating with plant operations and executive leadership to drive performance and data integrity.

Ideal candidates balance hands-on ERP expertise with strategic leadership, partner with external vendors, and stay closely aligned with day-to-day

Qualifications

• Strong, hands-on experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment.
• An understanding of manufacturing operations and the relationship between systems, processes, and business performance.
• Experience improving ERP functionality, supporting users, and leading systems implementations or enhancements.
• The ability to communicate effectively with plant employees, functional managers, and senior leadership.
• Experience leading people, projects, or external technology partners.
• A practical, service-oriented approach with a willingness to remain close to day‑to‑day operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing support, improvement, and adoption of manufacturing ERP and related business systems.
• Work directly with plant personnel and functional leaders to identify problems and implement practical solutions.
• Improve processes involving production, inventory, purchasing, costing, and reporting.
• Lead ERP and business systems integration activities associated with acquisitions.
• Support consistent systems and operating practices across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Manage internal technology resources and coordinate external service providers.
• Provide oversight of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and other essential technology services.

Skills

ERP systems

Manufacturing operations

IT leadership

Acquisitions integration

Team leadership

Job description

Director of Manufacturing Business Systems

Location: Near West Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois

Kensington International, an executive search firm, has been retained by a growing, multi-site manufacturing company to identify and recruit a Director of Manufacturing Business Systems.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this individual will serve as the company's senior technology leader, with responsibility for its manufacturing ERP platform, business systems, and broader IT operations.

Our client is expanding through acquisitions and is seeking a hands-on leader who understands manufacturing operations and the important role technology plays in supporting business performance.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys working directly with plant operations, solving problems, improving business processes, and helping an organization get more value from its technology investments.

The Opportunity

The Director of Manufacturing Business Systems will have significant visibility and direct access to the CEO, with the opportunity to influence how technology supports the company's continued growth.

Working closely with manufacturing, finance, purchasing, and executive leadership, this individual will improve system performance, strengthen data accuracy, standardize processes, and support the integration of acquired businesses.

The position includes leadership of a small internal team and oversight of external technology partners. While the role carries broad responsibility, success will depend on someone who remains actively involved in the work and is comfortable addressing both operational and technical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing support, improvement, and adoption of manufacturing ERP and related business systems.
• Work directly with plant personnel and functional leaders to identify problems and implement practical solutions.
• Improve processes involving production, inventory, purchasing, costing, and reporting.
• Lead ERP and business systems integration activities associated with acquisitions.
• Support consistent systems and operating practices across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Manage internal technology resources and coordinate external service providers.
• Provide oversight of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and other essential technology services.

The Ideal Candidate

We are interested in individuals who bring:

• Strong, hands‑on experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment.
• An understanding of manufacturing operations and the relationship between systems, processes, and business performance.
• Experience improving ERP functionality, supporting users, and leading systems implementations or enhancements.
• The ability to communicate effectively with plant employees, functional managers, and senior leadership.
• Experience leading people, projects, or external technology partners.
• A practical, service-oriented approach with a willingness to remain close to day‑to‑day operations.

Experience with multi‑site manufacturing operations, acquisition integration, or ERP standardization would be particularly valuable.

We are open to candidates currently serving as ERP Managers, Business Systems Managers, Manufacturing Systems Managers, or IT Managers who are ready to assume broader leadership responsibility.

This position offers an unusual combination of direct access to the CEO, broad technology responsibility, and hands‑on involvement in manufacturing operations.