Manufacturing ERP & Applications Lead

MDS Staffing; Spring Grove (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MDS Staffing seeks an Applications Manager to lead the development, integration, and support of enterprise applications in a manufacturing setting, with emphasis on ERP systems and custom software development.

The role requires strong ERP experience, leadership of a technical team, and collaboration with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and IT to improve processes and manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in ERP systems, business applications, software development, or application management.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing technical teams.
• Manufacturing industry experience is required.
• Strong experience managing, supporting, implementing, or enhancing enterprise ERP applications.
• Experience overseeing custom software development and business application initiatives.
• Working knowledge of software development technologies such as .NET, JavaScript, or comparable platforms.
• Experience with enterprise application integrations, software implementation projects, and business process improvement.
• Working understanding of operational technology systems and applications used in manufacturing, including MES, SCADA, PLC-connected equipment, or comparable shop-floor technologies.
• Understanding of how manufacturing systems interface with ERP and other enterprise applications.
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with manufacturing operations, engineering, IT, and business leadership.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, production planning, inventory management, supply chain operations, and quality systems.
• Experience developing application roadmaps and managing software development backlogs.
• Exposure to Industry 4.0, manufacturing digital transformation, data analytics, or AI-enabled software development tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management, support, enhancement, and optimization of ERP and enterprise business applications, preferably JD Edwards.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and other business functions to understand operational requirements and identify opportunities for application improvements.
• Oversee ERP configurations, enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and ongoing application support.
• Evaluate existing applications and recommend solutions that improve functionality, efficiency, reliability, and user experience.
• Develop and maintain application roadmaps, prioritizing initiatives based on business needs and operational impact.
• Ensure business applications effectively support manufacturing processes, inventory management, production planning, and other critical business functions.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and enhancement of custom business applications using technologies such as .NET, JavaScript, and related development platforms.
• Oversee software development projects from requirements gathering and solution design through testing, implementation, and ongoing support.
• Provide technical direction to developers and business systems analysts, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with business requirements.
• Oversee integrations between ERP systems, custom applications, databases, and other enterprise technologies.
• Apply Agile development methodologies, including Scrum or Kanban, to improve software delivery and project execution.
• Identify opportunities to automate business processes, eliminate manual workflows, and improve operational reporting and data accessibility.
• Establish software development standards and promote application quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Apply a working understanding of operational technology (OT) systems and applications used in manufacturing environments, including MES, SCADA, PLC-connected systems, and industrial data collection tools.
• Understand how shop-floor technologies interact with ERP and enterprise applications to support production, scheduling, inventory, quality, and operational reporting.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Automation, and IT teams to identify opportunities for improved application integration and manufacturing data visibility.
• Support initiatives that connect manufacturing information with business applications to improve data accuracy, reporting, and decision-making.
• Translate manufacturing operational requirements into practical application enhancements and software solutions.
• Serve as a technical partner to manufacturing stakeholders without direct responsibility for programming or maintaining industrial control systems.
• Lead, coach, and develop a small team of application developers, business systems analysts, and other technical resources.
• Establish clear performance expectations, development goals, and accountability for project delivery and application support.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on problem-solving, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage multiple application projects, balancing priorities, resources, budgets, and delivery timelines.
• Collaborate with business leaders to establish project priorities and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate application performance, system reliability, project execution, and business impact.
• Communicate project progress, risks, and recommendations to IT leadership and business stakeholders.
• Coordinate with external technology partners, software vendors, and consultants as needed.
• Develop strong working relationships with business stakeholders to understand challenges, requirements, and opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluate business processes and recommend technology solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and operational performance.
• Promote effective utilization of existing software applications through enhancements, user training, and adoption initiatives.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to modernize applications, improve integrations, and streamline business processes.
• Support application troubleshooting, issue resolution, and root cause analysis to minimize business disruptions.
• Stay informed of emerging technologies and evaluate their potential application within the manufacturing environment.

Skills

ERP management

Team leadership

Agile methodologies

Manufacturing know-how

Technical direction

Project management

Data visibility

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/SE

Tools

.NET

JavaScript

Job description

MDS Staffing seeks an Applications Manager to lead the development, integration, and support of enterprise applications in a manufacturing setting, with emphasis on ERP systems and custom software development.

The role requires strong ERP experience, leadership of a technical team, and collaboration with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and IT to improve processes and manufacturing performance.