Director of Business Applications (D365 F&O) (Chicago)

Director of Business Applications & D365 F&O

Location: Greater Chicago Area
Compensation: Starting at $180,000 Base Salary + Bonus

A manufacturing organization is seeking a Director of Business Applications to lead enterprise business systems strategy, ERP initiatives, and technology transformation efforts across operations, supply chain, and finance.

This role is best suited for a leader with deep experience supporting complex manufacturing environments, particularly within Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food & Beverage, Ingredients, Agribusiness, or Process Manufacturing organizations . Candidates with backgrounds primarily in distribution, retail, professional services, or non-manufacturing industries are unlikely to be a fit.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic direction, optimization, and governance of enterprise business applications
• Oversee ERP initiatives, including implementations, enhancements, integrations, and ongoing support
• Partner closely with manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and finance leadership to improve business processes
• Drive solutions supporting production planning, inventory management, warehousing, procurement, and distribution
• Champion process automation, reporting, analytics, and emerging technologies
• Manage relationships with implementation partners, vendors, and key business stakeholders
• Build and mentor high-performing business applications teams

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) or Dynamics AX
• Proven success leading ERP programs within a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of production, supply chain, inventory, warehousing, and manufacturing operations
• Experience working for a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food & Beverage, Ingredients, Agricultural Processing, Chemicals, or Process Manufacturing organization
• Understanding of Production Control, MRP, BOMs, product costing, inventory management, and production planning
• Working knowledge of EDI, GS1 standards, retail compliance, or customer integrations
• Experience collaborating across operations, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, and IT teams
• Ability to work onsite in the Greater Chicago area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with process manufacturing environments rather than solely discrete manufacturing
• Experience supporting batch production, formula management, recipe management, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Exposure to Power Platform, AI-enabled business applications, or Microsoft Copilot capabilities
• Background leading enterprise application teams and external consulting partners

Ideal Backgrounds

Candidates who have worked within organizations such as food manufacturers, beverage manufacturers, ingredient producers, consumer products companies, packaged goods manufacturers, agricultural processing companies, or similar production-driven environments will be especially attractive.

EOE Statement: Specialist Staffing Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

In addition to base pay, direct-hire employees may be eligible for client offered benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, and paid leave where required by applicable law. Eligibility may vary based on factors such as location and hire date and is subject to change.