Applications Manager - Manufacturing

Applications Manager – Manufacturing

ERP Systems | Custom Applications | Manufacturing Technology Integration

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Applications Manager to lead the development, enhancement, integration, and ongoing support of enterprise business applications within a manufacturing environment. This position will focus primarily on ERP systems, custom software applications, and delivering technology solutions that improve business processes and manufacturing performance.

The ideal candidate will bring strong ERP application management experience, preferably with JD Edwards, along with a background in custom software development and technical team leadership. This individual must understand manufacturing operations and how enterprise applications interact with operational technology (OT) systems and shop-floor technologies.

This role requires a combination of technical knowledge, business acumen, and leadership skills to align software solutions with organizational objectives, improve operational efficiency, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

ERP & Enterprise Applications

• Lead the management, support, enhancement, and optimization of ERP and enterprise business applications, preferably JD Edwards.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and other business functions to understand operational requirements and identify opportunities for application improvements.

• Oversee ERP configurations, enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and ongoing application support.

• Evaluate existing applications and recommend solutions that improve functionality, efficiency, reliability, and user experience.

• Develop and maintain application roadmaps, prioritizing initiatives based on business needs and operational impact.

• Ensure business applications effectively support manufacturing processes, inventory management, production planning, and other critical business functions.

Custom Software Development & Application Integration

• Lead the development, maintenance, and enhancement of custom business applications using technologies such as .NET, JavaScript, and related development platforms.

• Oversee software development projects from requirements gathering and solution design through testing, implementation, and ongoing support.

• Provide technical direction to developers and business systems analysts, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with business requirements.

• Oversee integrations between ERP systems, custom applications, databases, and other enterprise technologies.

• Apply Agile development methodologies, including Scrum or Kanban, to improve software delivery and project execution.

• Identify opportunities to automate business processes, eliminate manual workflows, and improve operational reporting and data accessibility.

• Establish software development standards and promote application quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Manufacturing Technology & Systems Integration

• Apply a working understanding of operational technology (OT) systems and applications used in manufacturing environments, including MES, SCADA, PLC-connected systems, and industrial data collection tools.

• Understand how shop-floor technologies interact with ERP and enterprise applications to support production, scheduling, inventory, quality, and operational reporting.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Automation, and IT teams to identify opportunities for improved application integration and manufacturing data visibility.

• Support initiatives that connect manufacturing information with business applications to improve data accuracy, reporting, and decision-making.

• Translate manufacturing operational requirements into practical application enhancements and software solutions.

• Serve as a technical partner to manufacturing stakeholders without direct responsibility for programming or maintaining industrial control systems.

Team Leadership & Project Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a small team of application developers, business systems analysts, and other technical resources.

• Establish clear performance expectations, development goals, and accountability for project delivery and application support.

• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on problem-solving, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Manage multiple application projects, balancing priorities, resources, budgets, and delivery timelines.

• Collaborate with business leaders to establish project priorities and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

• Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate application performance, system reliability, project execution, and business impact.

• Communicate project progress, risks, and recommendations to IT leadership and business stakeholders.

• Coordinate with external technology partners, software vendors, and consultants as needed.

Business Partnership & Continuous Improvement

• Develop strong working relationships with business stakeholders to understand challenges, requirements, and opportunities for improvement.

• Evaluate business processes and recommend technology solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and operational performance.

• Promote effective utilization of existing software applications through enhancements, user training, and adoption initiatives.

• Identify and prioritize opportunities to modernize applications, improve integrations, and streamline business processes.

• Support application troubleshooting, issue resolution, and root cause analysis to minimize business disruptions.

• Stay informed of emerging technologies and evaluate their potential application within the manufacturing environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• 7+ years of progressive experience in ERP systems, business applications, software development, or application management.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing technical teams.

• Manufacturing industry experience is required.

• Strong experience managing, supporting, implementing, or enhancing enterprise ERP applications.

• Experience overseeing custom software development and business application initiatives.

• Working knowledge of software development technologies such as .NET, JavaScript, or comparable platforms.

• Experience with enterprise application integrations, software implementation projects, and business process improvement.

• Working understanding of operational technology systems and applications used in manufacturing, including MES, SCADA, PLC-connected equipment, or comparable shop-floor technologies.

• Understanding of how manufacturing systems interface with ERP and other enterprise applications.

• Experience with Agile software development methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban.

• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with manufacturing operations, engineering, IT, and business leadership.

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• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, production planning, inventory management, supply chain operations, and quality systems.

• Experience developing application roadmaps and managing software development backlogs.

• Exposure to Industry 4.0, manufacturing digital transformation, data analytics, or AI-enabled software development tools.