IT Applications Manager

Gables Search Group; Illinois; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Succession path to senior ITLeadership

Employee-owned organization

~15% ESOP contribution

Target bonus ~10%

Job summary

Gables Search Group in Illinois is seeking an IT Applications Manager to lead enterprise applications, software development, data, and OT initiatives. This highly visible role will position you to succeed the retiring IT leader within about 18 months, with a fully onsite presence in Spring Grove, IL.

You will manage a team of developers, analysts, and data professionals, oversee ERP and manufacturing technology apps, and partner with IT/OT and operations to prioritize investments while advancing

Qualifications

• Experience leading IT/software development and data initiatives in manufacturing.
• Strong leadership, communication, and strategic thinking.
• Experience with agile delivery using Scrum or Kanban.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of developers, analysts, and data professionals.
• Oversee enterprise applications, ERP, and manufacturing technology.
• Partner with IT, OT, and operations to prioritize technology investments.
• Manage Agile delivery with Scrum or Kanban.
• Strengthen DevOps, CI/CD, testing, security, and data governance.
• Introduce advanced technologies to improve operations and productivity.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic IT planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT, software engineering, or related field

Tools

JD Edwards

ERP systems

Job description

We are recruiting for an employee-owned manufacturing organization seeking an IT Applications Manager to lead its enterprise applications, software development, data, and operational technology initiatives. This highly visible position offers the opportunity to succeed the company’s retiring IT leader within approximately 18 months.

This position is fully onsite in Spring Grove, IL.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop a team of developers, application specialists, product owners, analysts, and data professionals
• Oversee ERP, custom software, data platforms, and manufacturing technology applications
• Partner with IT, OT, operations, and business leaders to prioritize technology investments
• Manage Agile delivery using Scrum or Kanban
• Strengthen application support, DevOps, CI/CD, testing, security, and data governance
• Introduce advanced technologies that improve manufacturing operations and productivity

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, software engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• Extensive experience in software development or enterprise application management
• Three to five years of experience managing IT teams, ideally with 15 or more professionals
• Manufacturing industry experience
• JD Edwards experience strongly preferred
• Exposure to analytics, machine learning, or data science initiatives
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

Why Consider This Opportunity

• Succession path into senior IT leadership
• Employee-owned organization
• Annual ESOP contribution of approximately 15%
• Target bonus typically around 10%, with long-term value based on a five-year rolling salary history