IT Systems Specialist Lead - Fixed Term

About the Role

ITG Brands is the third-largest tobacco company in the USA, offering well-known cigarette, cigar, and e-vapor brands. As part of the globally recognized Imperial Brands PLC family, we are a forward-thinking partner with operational integrity, committed to putting consumers at the center of what we do. We foster an innovative workplace where inclusion, creativity, and bold thinking drive progress, empowering employees to bring their true selves to work and collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Solution Governance
  • Serve as the technical lead for manufacturing and operational technology solutions, establishing design standards and ensuring architectural alignment across OT, IT, and cloud environments.
  • Own and guide complex integrations (e.g., SCADA/PLC to applications; MES/MOM to SAP) and make key technical decisions across interconnected systems.
  • Define configuration baselines, integration patterns, and technical guidelines; review and validate internal and vendor technical deliverables.
  • Act as the final technical escalation point for high-severity incidents, cross-platform troubleshooting, and plant-critical system issues.
  • Lead root cause analysis and drive permanent remediation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Services Leadership & Operational Excellence
  • Oversee IT service delivery for plant systems using ITIL-aligned practices (incident, problem, change), ensuring service levels for performance, reliability, and system availability.
  • Establish system monitoring, alerting, and preventive maintenance standards; drive lifecycle management and system hardening.
  • Coordinate cross-functional response for operational incidents involving Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, IT Operations, Cybersecurity, and external vendors.
  • Mentor and guide analysts, contractors, and support partners on technical approaches, troubleshooting methods, and best practices (without direct people management).
• Solutions Delivery & Project Participation
  • Translate operational requirements into technical specifications, solution designs, and acceptance criteria.
  • Lead configuration, testing, deployment, cutover, and stabilization activities for new or upgraded plant and warehouse systems.
  • Participate as a technical authority in project teams, ensuring solutions are scalable, supportable, and aligned with enterprise and MOT standards.
  • Support modernization initiatives across legacy to modern application stacks, cloud platforms, standardization, and OT/IT convergence.
• Operational Domains & Technology Scope

  Process-first scope with technologies spanning operational technology (OT), shopfloor systems, logistics/warehouse platforms, and legacy to modern transition architectures. Examples include:

  • SCADA platforms and PLC integrations
  • RFID-based equipment and scanners
  • Laser/inkjet printing control technologies
  • Mixed .NET Framework stacks (Classic ASP, VB6, VBScript, MSMQ, C#, Angular)
  • IIS-based systems and SQL Server (2008 R2 → 2022)
  • Windows Server (2008 → 2022) and Windows 11/10 endpoints
  • Cloud-hosted workforce management, environmental/compliance, and research/analytics platforms
  • Automated palletizing, inventory management, and AGV-integrated warehouse systems
  • Maintenance and asset information systems, calibration management technologies
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, Planning, and Distribution teams
  • IT Project Management, IT Operations, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and IT Service Delivery
  • External vendors and solution partners for escalations, upgrades, and roadmap alignment

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of IT experience with significant exposure to manufacturing, industrial automation, or OT environments.
• Proven leadership in solution design, governance, and service delivery for complex, integrated systems.
• Hands-on expertise with SCADA/PLC integrations, SQL Server, Windows Server, and both legacy and modern application stacks.
• Experience with SAP (PP/PM), MES/MOM, warehouse execution, or automation platforms preferred.
• ITIL Foundation certification preferred.
• Ability to work 100% on-site at the Greensboro manufacturing facility.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.

Skills & Competencies

• Architectural and systems design thinking
• Advanced troubleshooting across application, integration, network, and infrastructure layers
• Clear communication and stakeholder influence
• Vendor management and technical oversight
• Strong prioritization in production-critical environments
• Continuous improvement mindset and disciplined documentation

Work Environment and Physical Demand

• Fully onsite role at the Greensboro manufacturing facility with frequent plant floor presence.
• Occasional after-hours or weekend work during deployments or production-impacting issues.
• Light physical effort; occasional handling of equipment (10–50 lbs).
• Frequent walking and extended computer use.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability plans.
• Dollar-for-dollar 401k match up to 6% and 5% annual company contribution.
• 15 company-paid holidays.
• Generous paid time off.
• Employee recognition and discount programs.
• Education assistance.
• Employee referral bonus program.
• Hybrid workplace – remote/in-office flexibility.
• Summer hours and casual dress policy (Monday through Friday).

Pay

Annual Base Salary Range: $103,761 – $138,347.