Director Information Technology Operations

About the Role

The Director of Information Technology Operations oversees Clark Pacific’s IT Department, driving strategy and innovation—including AI and other advanced tools—to enable reliable operations and business growth. This working-manager position leads the IT team while actively participating in technical problem-solving, system administration, vendor coordination, project delivery, and user support escalation. The role partners with business leaders to deliver secure, scalable technology solutions across infrastructure, cybersecurity, business systems, data integration, and automation.

Responsibilities

• Manage IT operations across support, infrastructure, cybersecurity, business systems, integrations, and data tools to ensure reliable service delivery.
• Lead, coach, and develop IT team members; serve as an escalation resource for complex technical and business application issues.
• Define and execute the technology roadmap, including infrastructure improvements, system upgrades, cybersecurity initiatives, business system enhancements, reporting, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Collaborate with business departments to understand operational needs, recommend practical technology solutions, and deliver improvements that increase reliability, efficiency, and user adoption.
• Maintain and improve cybersecurity practices, access controls, data protection, endpoint management, backup processes, and user awareness in coordination with company standards and external partners.
• Support and evolve enterprise systems, integrations, reporting, and automation efforts to incorporate AI technology and improve data accuracy, operational visibility, and decision-making.
• Evaluate new technologies, tools, and vendors; make recommendations based on business value, security, cost, scalability, and support requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, field operations, and corporate departments to deliver standardized technology solutions across company locations.
• Manage technology vendors, service providers, and implementation partners to ensure timely delivery, issue resolution, and service quality.
• Support IT budget planning and manage assigned expenses, renewals, purchasing, licensing, and cost-control activities.
• Monitor vendor performance, service levels, support response, and contract compliance; escalate issues as needed.
• Lead technology adoption, training, communication, and change support for new or improved systems.
• Implement and maintain standards for applications, access control, cybersecurity, data quality, documentation, and responsible AI usage.
• Track service levels, project progress, system reliability, security risks, adoption, and user satisfaction; report status and risks to leadership.

Key Interfaces

• Internal: IT team members, department managers, senior managers, directors, operations, manufacturing, engineering, field, finance, HR, and corporate support teams.
• External: Software, hardware, telecom, security, and technology vendors; implementation, consulting, managed service, and support partners.

Key Metrics and Deliverables

• Reliable IT service delivery, timely issue resolution, and high user satisfaction.
• Successful execution of assigned technology roadmap initiatives, projects, system upgrades, and business system improvements.
• Improved cybersecurity controls, system reliability, access management, documentation, and operational resilience.
• Delivery of automation, reporting, data integration, and AI-enabled improvements that create measurable business value.
• Effective team performance, cross-training, documentation, vendor coordination, and business partnership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field (equivalent experience may be considered). Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive IT experience, including managing IT staff, vendors, systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, support services, and business technology projects.
• Demonstrated success delivering technology improvements, AI enablement, business systems support, integrations, and operational technology initiatives in complex or multi-site organizations.
• Experience supporting technology operations in manufacturing, construction, engineering, or similarly complex operational environments (strongly preferred).
• Proven ability to align technology work with business needs and deliver measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, security, adoption, and scalability.
• Experience evaluating and implementing modern technologies, including cloud services, endpoint management, cybersecurity tools, reporting, automation, analytics, and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Experience managing technology vendors, software renewals, system implementations, licensing, support agreements, and lifecycle planning.
• Strong familiarity with the Microsoft technology ecosystem, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Intune, Entra ID, Power Platform, and enterprise business systems.

Skills

• Hands-on IT management experience, with the ability to lead people while directly solving technical, systems, support, and implementation issues.
• Enthusiasm for AI expansion and experience implementing AI tools for increased productivity.
• Strong business partnership skills, with the ability to understand operational needs and translate them into practical technology solutions.
• Sound financial judgment, with experience supporting budgets, managing vendors, controlling costs, and evaluating technology investments.
• Broad working knowledge of modern technology domains, including infrastructure, cloud services, networking, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, data, automation, and AI-enabled tools.
• Proven ability to manage, coach, and develop IT staff; set priorities; balance workload; and hold team members accountable for service quality and project delivery.
• Ability to explain technical topics clearly to non-technical users, managers, and leadership.
• Strong risk management mindset, balancing security, usability, cost, innovation, and operational stability.
• Experience leading change, training, documentation, and adoption activities to ensure technology improvements are used effectively.
• Ability to operate effectively in dynamic, multi-site environments, including collaboration with manufacturing, engineering, field, and operational teams.
• Commitment to Clark Pacific’s mission and values, fostering a culture of accountability, service, continuous improvement, and practical innovation.

Work Environment

• In-person office environment with regular engagement across office and plant locations to support operations, technology deployments, and business partnership.
• Periodic exposure to manufacturing environments with hazards such as noise, electricity, chemicals, heavy equipment, and automated/manual machinery.
• Periodic exposure to outside weather conditions, including extreme cold, heat, wet, and/or humid environments.

Physical Demands

• Frequent: Sitting at desk, utilizing computers and phones, standing, and walking.
• Occasional: Evening and weekend work to meet deadlines; business travel (~15%), including travel to current and future company locations; bending, squatting, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting.

Pay

Competitive salary range: $180,000 – $225,000 depending on experience.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, paid weekly.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance (options include Kaiser and VSP for vision).
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Employer-paid life insurance provided by Clark Pacific.
• Voluntary ancillary benefits, including Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and Whole Life Insurance.
• 401(k) matching: 100% of the first 3%, then 50% of the next 2%. (Benefits subject to waiting period.)

Core Values

• Determination: Meet challenges head on!
• Innovation: Always look for better!
• Well-Being: Seek the success, health, and happiness of all!