Manufacturing ERP & Apps Lead

True North Consultants, Inc.; Spring Grove (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

True North Consultants, Inc. is seeking an experienced Applications Manager to lead ERP and custom software initiatives in a manufacturing setting. You will guide development, integration, and ongoing support of enterprise applications, with a focus on JD Edwards and manufacturing OT interfaces.

You will manage a small technical team, align projects with production planning and inventory needs, and drive continuous improvement through Agile practices and data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT/CS or related field.
• 7+ years of ERP and application management experience.
• 3+ years leading technical teams.
• Manufacturing industry experience required.
• Experience with ERP implementations and integrations.
• Proficient in .NET, JavaScript, and related platforms.
• Knowledge of OT/Shop-floor tech (MES, SCADA).
• Familiar with Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with manufacturing ops, engineering, IT.

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 OT systems and applications used in manufacturing, 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

JD Edwards

Team Leadership

Manufacturing Ops

OT & MES

Agile

.NET

JavaScript

Systems Integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS

Tools

.NET

JavaScript

Job description

True North Consultants, Inc. is seeking an experienced Applications Manager to lead ERP and custom software initiatives in a manufacturing setting. You will guide development, integration, and ongoing support of enterprise applications, with a focus on JD Edwards and manufacturing OT interfaces.

You will manage a small technical team, align projects with production planning and inventory needs, and drive continuous improvement through Agile practices and data-driven decisions.