Manufacturing Solutions Strategy Lead

KAIZEN TECHNOLOGIES INC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KAIZEN TECHNOLOGIES INC is seeking a Manufacturing Solutions Strategy Lead to develop the IT strategy for application and infrastructure architecture at greenfield manufacturing sites. The role involves defining technology roadmaps that align with business objectives and leading early-stage solutioning for site buildouts. Qualified individuals should have a Bachelor’s degree in IT or related fields, strong experience in IT architecture, and the ability to translate strategy into actionable plans. Onsite work will be at various locations in the Midwest, including Illinois and neighboring states.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in IT architecture, infrastructure strategy, application strategy, or manufacturing technology planning.
• Experience supporting manufacturing environments, preferably in regulated industries.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable solution plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop IT strategy for application and infrastructure architecture supporting greenfield manufacturing sites.
• Define future-state technology roadmaps that align business objectives.
• Lead early-stage solutioning for site buildouts.

Skills

IT architecture

Infrastructure strategy

Application strategy

Manufacturing technology planning

Collaboration skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Manufacturing Solutions Strategy Lead

Location: Midwest, Illinois (Chicago area), Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota (Onsite)

Type: Contract

Responsibilities

• Develop IT strategy for application and infrastructure architecture supporting greenfield manufacturing sites.
• Define future-state technology roadmaps that align business objectives, manufacturing capabilities, compliance requirements, and enterprise standards.
• Lead early-stage solutioning for site buildouts and, where required, technology separation during manufacturing acquisitions.
• Collaborate with architects across the BTO to develop integrated solution plans and decision options.
• Assess technology needs for manufacturing sites, including applications, infrastructure, networks, platforms, and supporting services.
• Identify dependencies, risks, assumptions, and implementation considerations that inform business and IT decisions.
• Present strategic recommendations and practical implementation pathways to stakeholders and leadership.
• Work across manufacturing, quality, engineering, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and application teams to ensure solutions are feasible and scalable.
• Ensure alignment with Fortune 10 Mid west pharma company standards, regulatory requirements, and architecture principles.
• Contribute to planning for future manufacturing technology capabilities and modernization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong experience in IT architecture, infrastructure strategy, application strategy, or manufacturing technology planning.
• Experience supporting manufacturing environments, preferably in regulated industries.
• Experience with greenfield site planning or technology separation efforts strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into actionable solution plans.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills across architects, technical teams, and business stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and shape complex concepts into practical plans.

Preferred Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a practical, delivery-oriented mindset.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing site technology dependencies and operational readiness.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus across diverse teams.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping early-stage concepts into actionable plans.