IT Change Management Lead

About the role

We are seeking a senior-level IT Change Management Lead to support a large-scale manufacturing transformation initiative, including the implementation of a new facility in Hopkinsville, KY and the decommissioning of the Nashville manufacturing site. This role will lead end-to-end IT change coordination across business, IT, operations, and engineering, ensuring seamless system integrations, validated processes, and successful user adoption.

Responsibilities

• Lead IT change management strategy for new site startup and legacy site closure
• Serve as the primary liaison across IT, Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, and Business teams
• Drive cross-functional alignment on system readiness, cutover, and transition plans
• Identify risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans across all change activities
• Coordinate deployment and integration of enterprise and manufacturing systems (MES, ERP, WMS, infrastructure, shop floor systems)
• Ensure alignment of IT deliverables with operational startup milestones
• Oversee data migration, system validation readiness, and cutover execution
• Lead execution and oversight of UAT (User Acceptance Testing), IQ (Installation Qualification), OQ (Operational Qualification), and PQ (Performance Qualification)
• Ensure documentation, traceability, and compliance with validation standards
• Develop and execute training strategies for plant users, supervisors, and support teams
• Coordinate creation of SOPs, job aids, and system guides
• Drive readiness and adoption across all user groups
• Lead cutover planning and execution for new site go-live
• Establish and manage hypercare support model (triage, issue resolution, stabilization)
• Track and report stabilization metrics, system performance, and issue resolution

Required qualifications

• Proven experience with greenfield site implementations and/or plant shutdowns
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems (MES, ERP, WMS, shop floor technologies)
• Hands-on experience with validation processes (UAT, IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., tobacco, pharma, CPG) strongly preferred

Details

• 5 days onsite in Nashville, TN
• 12 month contract to extend