IT Director

Continuum Powders; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Continuum Powders seeks an accomplished Director of IT to drive strategy, governance, and execution across all IT functions. You will oversee cybersecurity, CMMC compliance, ERP infrastructure, vendor partnerships, and end-user support to ensure reliable, secure technology that enables business success.

This hands-on leader translates complex regulatory and technical requirements into pragmatic programs, builds value through vendors, and fosters a culture where employees are protected and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on leadership of IT programs, budgets, and multi-discipline IT teams.
• Proven experience with CMMC/NIST 800-171 compliance in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the multi-year IT roadmap aligned to business growth, operations, and security.
• Serve as the senior technology advisor to executives; translate risks and investments into business terms.
• Manage IT budget, allocate resources, and measure ROI on technology initiatives.
• Establish governance, policies, and standards for IT across the organization.
• Lead and grow the IT team with a culture of accountability and customer service.
• Oversee cybersecurity program, incident response, vulnerability management, and security architecture.
• Lead CMMC readiness, SSP/POA&M, and regulatory compliance (NIST SP 800-171, CMMC level).
• Coordinate ERP integrations and enhancements (NetSuite, Salesforce, Power BI) and ensure data integrity.
• Manage MSPs and vendor relationships; negotiate SLAs and oversee performance reviews.
• Oversee end-user support, IT infrastructure, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.

Skills

Leadership

Cybersecurity

CMMC

Regulatory Compliance

ERP Administration

Vendor Management

IT Strategy

Budget Management

End-User Support

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT

Tools

Microsoft 365

Azure

Intune

Power BI

NetSuite

Dynamics

SAP

SIEM

Job description

The Director of IT is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategy, execution, and governance of Continuum’s entire IT function. This leader oversees cybersecurity, CMMC compliance, ERP infrastructure, management of vendors, and the end-user support experience — ensuring that technology is a reliable, secure, and competitive enabler of the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role: you will set the direction and also roll up your sleeves. You will translate complex regulatory and technical requirements into pragmatic programs, build vendor partnerships that deliver value, and foster a technology culture where every employee is equipped and protected.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the company’s multi-year IT roadmap, aligned to business growth, operational scale, and security requirements.
• Serve as the senior technology advisor to executive leadership; translate IT risks, investments, and capabilities into clear business terms.
• Manage the IT budget: develop annual plans, allocate resources strategically, and demonstrate measurable return on technology investment.
• Establish IT policies, standards, and governance frameworks to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Future: Build, mentor, and manage the IT team , fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service.

Cybersecurity

• Continuously mature the company’s cybersecurity program, including threat monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, and security architecture.
• Design, implement, and maintain layered security controls: firewalls, endpoint protection, SIEM, encryption, identity and access management (IAM), and MFA.
• Lead response to cybersecurity incidents — investigation, containment, remediation, and post-incident review.
• Conduct or commission regular security risk assessments, penetration tests, and audits; track remediation to closure.
• Build and sustain a cybersecurity-aware culture through training programs, phishing simulations, and ongoing employee education.
• Partner with managed security service providers (MSSPs) and specialized third parties to extend capabilities as needed.
• Create an environment that is not too draconian and allows certain abilities with users e.g. connecting to a printer.

CMMC & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the company’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program: assess current posture, develop and execute the remediation roadmap, and manage certification readiness.
• Maintain a System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) in accordance with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Level 2 (or applicable level) requirements.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) handling requirements across systems, processes, and personnel.
• Monitor evolving regulatory requirements (NIST, ITAR, DFARS, CMMC rulemaking) and proactively adapt the compliance program.
• Coordinate with legal, contracts, and operations teams to ensure IT compliance requirements are reflected in customer and supplier agreements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for third-party assessors, auditors, and government representatives on IT compliance matters.
• Finalize DD2345 documentation
• Establish data governance standards before and during implementation to ensure clean, accurate master data at go-live.
• Partner with functional leaders to improve the functionality of the current tech stack – NetSuite, Sales Force and Power BI.
• Co-lead a continuous improvement with the Corporate Controller and Operations project lead.
• Govern change of release management for ERP updates
• Oversee integrations with other systems into ERP including API’s and middleware
• Assist with user support on error messages and creating complex saved searches
• Evaluate a ERP dedicated MSP
• Build and manage a portfolio of IT vendors and service providers (hardware, software, cloud, managed services, cybersecurity,).
• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable commercial terms; define SLAs, performance metrics, and escalation paths.
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews; hold the provider accountable to commitments and proactively address risks.
• Evaluate and rationalize the vendor landscape to reduce complexity, eliminate redundancy, and optimize spend.
• Manage the full vendor lifecycle: selection, onboarding, ongoing governance, and offboarding.

End-User Support & IT Infrastructure

• Contract and manage a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver IT helpdesk and end-user support; define scope, SLAs, and escalation paths to ensure a high-quality employee experience.
• Serve as the internal owner and escalation point for the MSP relationship: conduct regular performance reviews, hold the provider accountable to commitments, and drive continuous improvement.
• Define the standards, tooling (ticketing system, remote support, asset management), and workflows the MSP operates within; ensure alignment with internal IT governance and security policies.
• Retain oversight of all end-user support outcomes -- even when delivered by the MSP -- including ticket SLA adherence, first-contact resolution rates, and employee satisfaction (CSAT).
• Maintain and optimize the company's IT infrastructure: on-prem and cloud systems, networking, servers, endpoints, and collaboration tools (Microsoft 365, Intune, Azure).
• Own disaster recovery and business continuity planning, including regular testing and documentation.
• Manage software and hardware procurement, asset lifecycle, and license compliance.

Qualifications

Experience & Education

• 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role managing teams, budgets, and multi-discipline IT programs.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading a CMMC, NIST 800-171, or equivalent compliance program in a defense-adjacent or regulated manufacturing environment.
• Proven ERP administration and project leadership experience (Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, NetSuite, or equivalent).
• Strong track record in vendor negotiation and contract management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Technical Skills

• Deep knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks: NIST CSF, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, ISO 27001.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Azure, Intune, and enterprise endpoint management.
• Familiarity with SIEM platforms, vulnerability management tools, and network security technologies (firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPN).
• Understanding of ERP architecture, integrations, and data management concepts.
• Experience with ITIL or similar IT service management frameworks.

Certifications (Preferred)

• CISSP, CISM, or CISA
• CompTIA Security+ or CySA+
• CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) or Certified Professional (CP)
• PMP or equivalent project management certification

Desired Qualities

• Strategic thinker who also executes — comfortable moving between boardroom conversations and hands-on technical work.
• Strong communicator - able to translate complex IT and compliance concepts into plain language for executives, auditors, and end-users alike.
• Proactive risk manager — stays ahead of threats rather than reacting to them.
• Collaborative partner — builds trust with cross-functional stakeholders and is seen as a business enabler, not a gatekeeper.
• High integrity and accountability - takes ownership of outcomes.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, growth-stage company where priorities evolve and agility is valued.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements of the role

• The position is largely based in an office environment, with regular interaction in the manufacturing facility (loud noises, moving mechanical parts and exposure to metal powders), Laboratory and office environment.
• Strict adherence to safety protocols is required to minimize risks associated with handling hazardous materials.
• The role requires wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including steel-toe shoes, protective eyewear, earplugs and respiratory equipment (when working with metal powders).