Director of Information Technology

About the Role

DemKota Ranch Beef is a leading beef processing company committed to operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement. Technology plays a critical role in supporting our production facilities, corporate operations, and future growth. We are seeking an experienced IT Director to lead our Information Technology department and ensure reliable, secure, and efficient technology operations across the organization. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys leading people, solving operational challenges, and partnering with business leaders to improve manufacturing operations through technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily IT operations supporting manufacturing, corporate, and remote office locations.
• Ensure reliable technology services that support production and business operations.
• Immediately respond to and resolve production downtime events.
• Oversee service desk operations and establish service expectations.
• Lead response efforts during major technology incidents.
• Develop and maintain IT operational procedures and documentation.
• Lead, mentor, and develop IT staff while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews and develop technical talent through mentoring.
• Oversee ERP administration and support.
• Partner with business leaders on technology improvements to ensure business applications remain reliable and secure.
• Develop and manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, licensing, and contracts.
• Prioritize technology investments based on business value.
• Develop the technology roadmap and support modernization initiatives.
• Partner with the IT Infrastructure & Security Manager on strategic planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of progressive IT experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Manufacturing or industrial IT experience.
• Budget, vendor, and project management experience.
• Strong Microsoft infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, and business application knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• ERP experience.
• Digital transformation experience.
• Multi-site support experience.
• High-availability production environment experience.

Preferred Certifications

• ITIL Foundation
• PMP
• CISSP
• Microsoft Azure/Microsoft 365/Security certifications
• Lean Six Sigma (preferred)

Technology Environment

Microsoft 365, Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Hyper-V, Cisco networking, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender, ERP systems, Google Workspace, cloud-based business applications, and multi-site support including our satellite office in Omaha, Nebraska.

What Success Looks Like

• Develop a high-performing IT team.
• To the degree possible, eliminate IT-related production downtime.
• Improve overall IT service delivery.
• Strengthen documentation.
• Build relationships with business leaders.
• Advance strategic initiatives with the IT Infrastructure & Security Manager.
• Maintain secure, reliable technology supporting manufacturing.

Why Join DemKota Ranch Beef?

Lead technology in a manufacturing environment where IT directly impacts business success. Work alongside experienced technical professionals, influence technology strategy, and help modernize systems that support a growing organization.