Manager, Manufacturing Operations Technology

Manager, Manufacturing Operations Technology The Manager, Manufacturing Operations Technology leads Operations Technology (OT) vendor management, partner strategy, and site coordination across LGI’s US-based manufacturing footprint. This position is responsible for aligning OT infrastructure initiatives with organizational goals, ensuring consistent vendor performance, and supporting the long-term scalability and security of our OT systems. As a central liaison between IT, Operations, Plant Engineering, and external OT partners, this role will not only oversee day-to-day execution but also shape the strategic roadmap for vendor engagement, lifecycle management, and service delivery across our manufacturing sites. Responsibilities Define and drive the overarching OT vendor and support strategy in collaboration with IT and Operations leadership. Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies, standardization, and modernization across site-level OT systems. Provide thought leadership around OT lifecycle management, future capabilities, and industry trends (Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, system integration). Own all relationships with external OT vendors, solution providers, and service contractors. Negotiate and manage contracts, SLAs, licenses and renewals to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. Develop and track KPIs for vendor performance, compliance, and service delivery across all sites. Act as a senior liaison between Operations, Plant Engineers, and IT to align OT priorities, schedules, and outcomes. Facilitate strategic planning sessions, quarterly reviews, and incident retrospectives involving OT vendors and internal stakeholders. Partner with internal teams on OT/IT convergence strategies, especially around network segmentation, cybersecurity, and data integration. Ensure vendor activities align with corporate IT/OT governance, safety, compliance, and cybersecurity standards. Oversee documentation and reporting related to vendor scope, maintenance activities, site engagements, and lifecycle planning. Champion best practices in vendor access controls, change management, and service documentation across sites. Lead the coordination and execution of bi-annual maintenance and system upgrades with partners across 10 manufacturing sites. Develop playbooks, templates, and repeatable processes to streamline vendor-led work across locations. Drive consistent standards for systems such as FactoryTalk, Ignition (Inductive Automation), and Allen‑Bradley PLC platforms. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, information systems, or a related field, or significantly relevant work experience. Master’s degree preferred. Project management or vendor governance certifications (PMP, ITIL, etc.) preferred. Experience: 7+ years in OT, industrial automation, or IT/OT convergence roles; proven experience leading vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and multi‑site technology strategies. Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and plant-level technology requirements. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross‑functional leadership skills. Preferred: experience in a manufacturing environment with OT/IT network segmentation. Working knowledge of cybersecurity practices in ICs/SCADA environments. Familiarity with FactoryTalk, Allen‑Bradley PLCs, and Inductive Automation Ignition. Requirements Strategic thinker with operational discipline and influential communicator. Proactive, organized, and comfortable working in a matrixed, multi‑site environment. Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with the ability to prioritize and manage tasks effectively. Collaborative spirit, strong customer service focus, and ability to travel domestically up to 30%. Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary; maintain confidentiality and professionalism during peak periods. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality related to all duties and responsibilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr