Director of Technology

RITALKA, Inc; New Ulm (MN); On-site; USD 93,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA/FSA options

Disability Insurance

401(k) with Employer Match

Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Employee-of-the-Month and Year

RITALKA University

Employee Luncheons

Community Volunteering

Job summary

RITALKA, Inc. is seeking a Director of Technology to lead IT strategy and align technology initiatives with business goals across our rural Midwest manufacturing footprint. You will oversee infrastructure, applications, and data security, guiding a growing IT team to deliver reliable, scalable solutions.

The role emphasizes governance, vendor management, and digital transformation to support sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred.
• Or any combination of education and experience providing required skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's technology strategy to align with business objectives.
• Lead planning, implementation, and optimization of corporate software systems and infrastructure.
• Direct cybersecurity strategy to safeguard company systems and data.
• Partner with leaders to deliver scalable, cost-effective IT solutions and manage vendor negotiations.

Skills

Leadership

Enterprise systems

Cybersecurity

IT strategic planning

Project management

Change management

Communication

Vendor management

Budgeting & contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Global Shop MRP

Enterprise productivity tools

Cybersecurity tools

Network & infrastructure management tools

Job description

Join an Established and Growing Business!

RITALKA, Inc., is a family-owned specialty engineering and manufacturing business focused on creating jobs in rural communities. We take pride in finding careers that fit the person rather than a person to fit a job - which allows us to do extraordinary things with ordinary people. Learn more about us at ritalka.com and apply today!

Salary in accordance applicable experience, $103,000+, dependent on experience

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance; HSA/FSA options; Accident & Critical Illness Insurance; Short- and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) with Employer Match; Term Life Insurance; Employee Assistance Program; Employee-of-the-Month and Year; RITALKA University; Employee Luncheons; Community Volunteering

Director of Technology provides leadership and strategic direction for all information technology and information systems across RITALKA companies and locations. This role is responsible for ensuring that technology infrastructure, applications, and data systems are secure, reliable, and positioned to support business growth. This position works closely with leadership to align technology initiatives with organizational goals, drive digital transformation, and lead an IT team that delivers necessary and efficient solutions

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Strategic Technology Leadership
  • Develop and execute the company's technology strategy to align with business objectives
  • Establish IT governance policies, standards, and best practices to ensure security, compliance, and operational excellence
  • Identify and implement emerging technologies that provide competitive advantage, improve productivity, and enhance customer experience
• Enterprise Systems and Infrastructure Oversight
  • Lead planning, implementation, and optimization of all corporate software systems, including Global Shop MRP, engineering platforms, and enterprise productivity tools
  • Oversee the design, security, and maintenance of corporate network and infrastructure systems
  • Direct cybersecurity strategy to safeguard company systems, intellectual property, and sensitive data from threats
• Business Partnership & Innovation
  • Partner with leaders to assess technology needs and deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows and increase operational efficiency
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for technology-related vendor negotiations and contract management
• Team & Resource Management
  • Lead and develop IT staff to ensure high performance, skill growth, and exceptional service delivery
  • Develop and manage the IT department budget, ensuring cost control while funding strategic priorities
  • Oversee technology training initiatives to ensure employees can effectively use available tools and systems

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire teams
• Deep understanding of enterprise systems, infrastructure, and cybersecurity principles
• Proven experience in IT strategic planning, project management, and change management
• Ability to communicate complex technology concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Skilled vendor management, budgeting, and contract negotiation

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• Master's degree preferred
• 8+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred
• OR Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be acceptable.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

RITALKA Overview

When it comes to recruiting, many companies focus on an applicant's faults - what doesn't fit, what experience they don't have, etc. Our philosophy is different in that we are actively looking for a reason to hire someone. RITALKA, Inc. is a family-owned manufacturing and engineering company focused on creating jobs in rural communities here in the Midwest; purposefully creating jobs away from the chaos of larger metro areas. Our company values foster strong relationships with not only our employees and customers, but also our communities. We take pride in finding careers that fit the person rather than a person to fit a job which allows us all to do extraordinary things with ordinary people.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.