Job Summary: This role balances strategic oversight with hands‑on capability, ensuring the stability, continuity, and efficiency of our technology systems while guiding the team to operate with accountability, structure, and excellence. The ideal candidate brings proven IT experience, strong leadership, and the judgment to identify gaps in processes and infrastructure-and implement effective solutions. Reports to: SVP of IT and Operations Duties/Responsibilities: Lead, mentor, and manage a team, fostering a culture where everyone takes ownership and wants to do the right work. Ensure IT systems-including ERP, VPN, virtual infrastructure, databases, business intelligence tools, and internal applications-are stable, secure, and optimized to support business operations. Proactively identify gaps in processes, systems, or team execution and implement effective solutions. Oversee day‑to‑day IT operations, including monitoring, issue resolution, backups, and alerts, ensuring prompt and thorough follow‑through. Refine and enforce existing documentation, SOPs, and processes, filling gaps where necessary. Collaborate with SVP of IT and Operations and COO on strategic decisions, including hiring and performance management, while maintaining full autonomy over team workflows. Drive cross‑functional collaboration to ensure IT initiatives align with business goals and support operational efficiency. Manage IT projects from planning to completion, balancing deadlines, resources, and business priorities. Build a culture of accountability, communication, and continuous improvement across the IT team. Required Skills/Abilities: Minimum 5 years of IT leadership experience, managing technical teams. Minimum 5 years of hands‑on IT systems administration experience. Deep understanding of ERP systems, VPNs, virtual infrastructure, databases, BI tools, and internal applications. Proven ability to see systemic gaps and implement solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and team performance. Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills. Experience in mentoring, coaching, and developing mid‑to‑senior‑level IT staff. Demonstrated ability to drive follow‑through and hold teams accountable while maintaining a positive work culture. Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience). Experience in a mid‑sized operational environment (100–300 employees). Familiarity with IT vendor management, cloud platforms, and disaster recovery planning. #J-18808-Ljbffr