Senior Technology Manager – Technology & Global Operations - Manufacturing Industry

Prairie Consulting Services; Alabama; On-site; USD 180,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee assistance program

Education assistance

Job summary

Prairie Consulting Services is seeking a Senior Technology Manager to lead technology and global operations for manufacturing-focused environments. The role emphasizes executive engagement, modernization, and complex customer interactions in automotive, rail, aerospace, and related sectors.

The position is onsite with strong leadership responsibilities and travel (~25%), including international assignments.

Qualifications

• Background in rail, transportation, automotive, aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing.
• 10+ years of technology management and leadership.
• Experience leading technical teams for software, infrastructure, cloud, or enterprise integrations.
• Willingness to work onsite and travel approximately 25%, including international travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide global technology leadership for enterprise applications and connected systems.
• Oversee modernization of legacy applications and data integration environments.
• Partner with executives to align technology with operational and customer needs.
• Manage budgets, plans, risks, vendors, and delivery commitments.
• Lead technical discussions with customer executives and engineering teams.
• Mentor technical professionals and ensure performance accountability.
• Deliver secure, reliable technology solutions supporting mission-critical operations.

Skills

Technical leadership

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or related field

Job description

Senior Technology Manager – Technology & Global Operations - Manufacturing Industry experience such as Automobile - Locomotive - Aerospace

Direct Hire | $180-190K+ Target Base + Annual Incentive | Global Technology Leadership

Location: Albertville, AL (Strongly Preferred) | Southlake, TX | La Grange, IL

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite, 5 Days Per Week – Non-Negotiable

Travel: Approximately 25%, including international travel

We are seeking an experienced Senior IT Manager to lead a technical organization supporting complex industrial technology, enterprise applications, connected systems, and global customer operations.

This is a senior leadership position requiring a unique combination of technical knowledge, people leadership, business acumen, and executive-level customer engagement.

The ideal candidate has experience leading technical teams in a manufacturing, transportation, automotive, aerospace, defense, or similar industrial environment. They understand how software, hardware, networking, infrastructure, and enterprise data systems work together to support mission-critical operations.

This is not a traditional internal IT management position. A significant part of this role involves working directly with global customers, managing complex technical escalations, and representing the organization in high-level business and technical discussions.

We are looking for a leader who understands sophisticated technology, can confidently engage with executives and engineering teams, and has successfully led technology modernization initiatives.

Technology Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop technical teams responsible for enterprise applications, connected technology platforms, integrations, and critical operational systems.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight across software, infrastructure, networking, and technology delivery initiatives.
• Mentor and develop technical professionals while establishing accountability for performance, delivery, and operational excellence.
• Partner with engineering, commercial, and business leadership to align technology solutions with operational and customer requirements.
• Oversee multiple technology initiatives, including project planning, budgets, resource allocation, vendor management, and delivery commitments.

Customer-Facing Technical Leadership

• Serve as a senior technology representative for global customers and business partners.
• Lead technical discussions with customer executives, engineering teams, security professionals, and other key stakeholders.
• Manage critical customer escalations involving system performance, outages, service delivery, and technical concerns.
• Translate complex technical issues into clear business communications and actionable solutions.
• Navigate sensitive customer discussions involving cybersecurity, contractual requirements, proprietary technology, and intellectual property.
• Build strong relationships with customers while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and protecting company technology.

Technology Modernization & Enterprise Systems

• Lead modernization of legacy applications, enterprise technology platforms, and complex data integration environments.
• Oversee initiatives involving large-scale data acquisition, transmission, processing, storage, and distribution.
• Improve how connected equipment and operational systems communicate with enterprise and customer environments.
• Evaluate modern technology solutions involving cloud, networking, APIs, automation, and emerging technologies.
• Partner with technical teams to develop modernization strategies while maintaining uninterrupted business operations.
• Support cybersecurity, application reliability, and ongoing improvements to mission-critical technology systems.
• Manage complex commercial and technology implementation initiatives from planning through completion.
• Work with stakeholders to define business requirements, project scope, schedules, and deliverables.
• Develop comprehensive project plans and monitor performance against business and financial objectives.
• Manage budgets, project risks, resources, and vendor relationships.
• Provide regular updates to senior management and business stakeholders.
• Ensure successful delivery of technology solutions that support both customer and business needs.

Senior Technology Manager - Required Qualifications

• Background in rail, transportation, automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial manufacturing, or similar environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of demonstrated success in technology management and leadership.
• Proven experience directly leading technical teams responsible for software applications, infrastructure, networking, cloud, enterprise integrations, or complex technology platforms.
• Strong technical foundation with the ability to understand sophisticated systems and communicate effectively with engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with external customers, including senior executives and technical stakeholders.
• Experience managing high-priority customer escalations, complex technical issues, or mission-critical service environments.
• Experience leading technology modernization, system upgrades, enterprise integrations, or major technology transformation initiatives.
• Strong project management experience, including budgets, schedules, resources, risks, and vendor relationships.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear business discussions and executive-level communications.
• Willingness to work onsite at an approved company location and travel approximately 25%, including internationally.

Senior Technology Manager - Highly Desired Experience

• Experience with industrial control systems, connected equipment, embedded technologies, or operational technology.
• Understanding of how software, hardware, networking, and back-office enterprise systems interact.
• Experience with high-volume data environments, data acquisition, integration platforms, or distributed systems.
• Leadership of legacy application modernization initiatives involving cloud, APIs, automation, or AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience supporting globally distributed customers and technical teams.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, intellectual property protection, and contractual technology obligations.
• Experience overseeing business-critical systems requiring high availability and ongoing production support.

This direct-hire opportunity offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 401(k) with up to 6% company match, immediate eligibility, and vesting
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Paid vacation, holidays, and PTO
• Employee assistance and education assistance programs
• Additional employee recognition and incentive programs