IT Manager

Responsibilities

The IT Manager will be responsible for leading day-to-day IT operations while driving technology planning and vendor management for a growing automotive manufacturing organization. This role serves as the primary escalation point for IT issues and acts as a key liaison between the business, third-party vendors, and managed service partners.

The IT Manager will oversee internal IT staff and ensure stable, secure, and scalable technology operations in a compliance-driven environment. This is a contract to hire or direct hire role located onsite in Traverse City, Michigan.

• Oversee day-to-day IT operations across infrastructure, systems, and end-user support
• Manage and mentor internal IT staff, including Help Desk and Systems Administration personnel
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical and operational issues
• Lead technology planning, roadmap development, and lifecycle management initiatives
• Act as the main IT liaison between business stakeholders, managed service providers, and third-party vendors
• Own vendor management activities, including performance oversight, coordination, and issue resolution
• Collaborate with Sentinel’s Managed Services, Help Desk, and SOC/SIEM teams to ensure effective service delivery
• Support infrastructure and platform transitions, including network standardization and virtualization changes
• Ensure IT operations align with compliance requirements, including government and manufacturing standards
• Maintain documentation, processes, and operational best practices

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an IT Manager or IT Lead role supporting enterprise or manufacturing environments
• Strong background in vendor management and third-party service coordination
• Experience supporting or managing teams across multiple IT functions
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and priorities
• Familiarity with compliance-driven environments such as aerospace, defense, or automotive manufacturing
• Hands-on technical background with infrastructure, systems, or networking
• Security knowledge and oversight capability is strongly preferred
• Cloud experience is a plus

Requirements

• Likely authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
• Must demonstrate a “can-do” attitude
• Must meet the minimum requirements