IT Director

Join Acorn Distributors , a multi-million-dollar distributor of disposable paper and plastic products, janitorial supplies and equipment, chemicals, sanitary maintenance materials, and foodservice supplies. Acorn serves customers across Education, Healthcare, Government, Lodging, Commercial, Property Management, Restaurants, and Catering.

Acorn Distributors is seeking a motivated, self-driven, collaborative IT Director to lead the company’s technology strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, applications, and Prophet 21 (P21) ERP environment.

Job Overview

• Develop and execute an IT strategy aligned with company growth and businessobjectives.
• Serve as a strategic technology partner to executive leadership.
• Own and oversee the company’s Prophet 21 ERP system, ensuring it supports Finance, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory, Warehouse, and Operations.
• Identify opportunities to optimize P21 workflows, reporting, integrations, and business processes.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, networks, cybersecurity, SaaS applications, and end-user services.
• Manage the IT budget, vendors, contracts, and technology investments.
• Establish IT policies, procedures, security standards, and best practices.
• Evaluate technology and automation opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic IT Leadership

• Partner with leadership to develop a multi-year technology roadmap.
• Lead IT projects, implementations, upgrades, integrations, and system improvements.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process improvement, and technology optimization.
• Develop disaster recovery, business continuity, and risk management strategies.
• Ensure IT investments align with business priorities and provide measurable value.

Prophet 21 ERP

• Serve as the internal Prophet 21 subject matter expert and system owner.
• Oversee P21 administration, support, maintenance, upgrades, and optimization.
• Work with department leaders to improve P21 business processes and workflows.
• Manage P21 reporting, dashboards, security, user access, and data integrity.
• Oversee integrations with websites, EDI, CRM, WMS, and other business applications.
• Manage P21 consultants and third-party partners.
• Provide guidance and training to key users and maximize the company’s investment in P21.

Infrastructure & IT Operations

• Oversee multi-office IT infrastructure, networks, cloud systems, SaaS applications, and end-user technology.
• Maintain strong cybersecurity, backup, disaster recovery, and access controls.
• Manage hardware, software, telecommunications, and technology lifecycle.
• Ensure reliable and secure IT operations across all locations.

Leadership & Vendor Management

• Recruit, develop, and mentor IT team members.
• Establish priorities and service expectations for the IT department.
• Manage vendors, consultants, MSPs, and software providers.
• Negotiate contracts and conduct periodic vendor and system audits.
• Manage the IT budget and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Proven IT leadership experience, preferably in a distribution or ERP-driven environment.
• Strong Prophet 21 experience, including administration, reporting, integrations, and business process optimization.
• Experience with ERP implementations, upgrades, and system improvements.
• Understanding of distribution processes including purchasing, inventory, warehouse, sales, and finance.
• Strong strategic planning, communication, leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-driven, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.