Specialist, IT Solutions 1

Summary

The Specialist, IT Solutions (functioning as an MES Specialist) will engage with site business functions to identify and advocate business process improvement opportunities through the use of IT solutions. This role is responsible for defining and driving the Manufacturing Execution System strategy while serving as the technical and functional leader between business stakeholders, manufacturing operations, and IT teams. Combining solution architecture, project leadership, and people management, the Specialist ensures MES solutions support business objectives and manufacturing excellence. You will collect, analyze, develop, document, and communicate business requirements, working with various IT teams to develop and deliver scalable solutions, while providing support and user training on selected systems (SFC, ERP, MES, and local applications).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Roadmap: Act as a highly strategic partner involving stakeholder management, prioritization of the MES roadmap, and coordination across business units and IT.
• Requirements & Architecture: Gather and translate business requirements into scalable MES solutions; define solution architecture to support business objectives.
• Project Execution & Management: Lead global MES implementations from blueprint through deployment. Manage project scope, timelines, budgets, and quality to deliver standardized, high-value manufacturing solutions across the enterprise.
• Systems Integration: Ensure seamless integration of MES with enterprise platforms such as SAP and cloud technologies.
• Team Leadership: Lead, develop, and coordinate both internal IT teams and external contractors to execute the MES strategy.
• Operations Support: Provide expertise in shop floor operations, manufacturing processes, and governance to optimize production, traceability, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Issue Resolution: Respond to system problems by analyzing the issue, determining the next course of action, and applying troubleshooting best practices.
• Training: Provide system training and documentation to end-users.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Technical Proficiency: Strong expertise in SQL for database querying/data analysis and advanced working knowledge of JavaScript for scripting and IT solution development.
• MES & Systems Knowledge: Deep understanding of Manufacturing Execution Systems, SCM, shop floor control, and ERP applications (including SAP).
• Integration & Architecture: Knowledge and experience with cloud technologies, application-to-application (A2A), and business-to-business (B2B) integrations. Understanding of interrelations between IT components (software, OS, databases, network, servers, etc.).
• Manufacturing Expertise: Solid knowledge of electronic manufacturing environments, materials, processes, and a solid understanding of associated business processes to drive manufacturing excellence.
• Project Management & SDLC: Strong project management skills, including budgeting and timeline management. Strong understanding of software development life cycle (SDLC) concepts, governance, and practices.
• Leadership & Communication: Exceptional stakeholder management, leadership, and teamwork skills. Good communication, documentation (including flow charting), and presentation skills.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical, technical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with a strong customer service orientation.

Qualifications

• Typical Experience: 4 to 6 years in similar roles
• Typical Education: Bachelor Degree or consideration of an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
• Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.