IT Director

Client Overview

Our client is an established aerospace and defense manufacturing organization specializing in the design and production of electrical power systems for commercial and military aircraft. With operations spanning New Jersey and Arizona, the company supports approximately 250 employees and delivers mission‑critical products to highly regulated markets. They are looking to add an IT Director to their team. This is an opportunity to join a specialized manufacturing business in a highly visible leadership role, reporting directly to the President. The organization is investing in technology modernization, cybersecurity maturity, and operational improvements, creating an opportunity for an experienced technology leader to make a meaningful impact.

Salary/Hourly Rate

$160 to $190k + 10% Annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced IT Director to provide strategic and operational leadership across the multi‑site manufacturing technology environment. This individual will oversee IT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and third‑party technology providers while ensuring systems remain secure, reliable, and aligned with business objectives. The IT Director will lead a primarily outsourced IT environment, managing MSP relationships, vendor performance, service delivery, and technology initiatives. While the position is predominantly focused on leadership and vendor governance, approximately 30% of the role will involve hands‑on technical responsibilities. The ideal candidate is comfortable stepping in to troubleshoot issues, guide technical teams, and take ownership when needed. A key priority will be supporting the organization’s ERP operations and Epicor Kinetic migration, partnering closely with the dedicated ERP/Epicor Lead. The IT Director will also serve as the primary internal owner of the information security program, driving cybersecurity operations, CMMC audit readiness, disaster recovery improvements, and ongoing compliance initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on IT leader with manufacturing experience who is ready to take ownership of a broad technology environment and work directly with executive leadership. Candidates outside New Jersey may be considered; relocation assistance may be discussed but is not guaranteed. Schedule is Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, with a flexible start between 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM with occasional travel to Arizona.

Responsibilities Of The IT Director

• IT Operations & Vendor Management:
• Provide strategic and operational oversight of IT across approximately 250 users and two manufacturing locations.
• Manage MSPs, third‑party vendors, and outsourced technology providers, ensuring service quality, SLA adherence, and accountability.
• Monitor vendor performance, prioritize escalations, and coordinate resolution of recurring or high‑impact technical issues.
• Lead infrastructure planning, technology roadmap development, vendor evaluations, and contract coordination.
• Review and approve infrastructure and system changes implemented by external providers.
• Oversee IT asset lifecycle management, technology standardization, disaster recovery, and business continuity improvements.
• Maintain hands‑on involvement in technical operations and troubleshooting when necessary.
• Cybersecurity & Information Security:
• Own and manage the organization’s internal information security program, serving as the primary security point of contact.
• Oversee security operations, including SIEM and EDR alert triage, log reviews, and incident response coordination.
• Manage identity and access controls, including SSO, MFA, directory services, and employee onboarding/offboarding access workflows.
• Conduct periodic access reviews and address outdated accounts, permissions, and security entitlements.
• Maintain endpoint security through EDR monitoring, patch management, configuration baselines, and disk encryption.
• Oversee network security activities, including firewall reviews, VPN administration, network segmentation, and security monitoring.
• Manage vulnerability assessments, prioritize findings, coordinate remediation, and track security metrics.
• Support vendor risk management and review third‑party security documentation.
• Develop security awareness initiatives, phishing simulations, employee training, and internal security guidance.
• Maintain security documentation, policies, procedures, and operational runbooks.
• Compliance & Audit Readiness:
• Lead coordination with corporate cybersecurity teams, MSSPs, and third‑party compliance consultants.
• Drive remediation efforts related to cybersecurity findings, audits, vulnerabilities, and compliance requirements.
• Lead CMMC audit readiness and maintain ongoing compliance across applicable requirements.
• Coordinate evidence collection, policy maintenance, customer security questionnaires, and audit preparation.
• Maintain and improve technology‑related policies, operational procedures, and security documentation.
• ERP & Business Systems:
• Serve as the executive IT partner to the ERP/Epicor Lead, aligning ERP strategy with broader business and technology objectives.
• Support ERP modernization initiatives, including the migration from Epicor 10 to Epicor Kinetic.
• Coordinate resources, vendor relationships, and technology support for ERP operations.
• Oversee technology initiatives that improve manufacturing operations, business processes, and system reliability.
• Leadership & Continuous Improvement:
• Champion improvements in end‑user technology experience, service responsiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with business stakeholders and executive leadership to identify technology improvements and modernization opportunities.
• Oversee technology onboarding, training coordination, and user adoption of business systems.
• Provide clear direction, accountability, and prioritization across internal stakeholders and external technology providers.

Required Experience/Skills For The IT Director

• 7+ years of progressive IT experience, including direct leadership of IT operations, vendors, and security programs.
• 5+ years of experience supporting IT operations within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing MSPs, third‑party vendors, and outsourced technology providers.
• Previous IT leadership experience within a smaller or mid‑sized organization, ideally with a lean internal technology team.
• Hands‑on knowledge across cybersecurity domains, including security operations, identity and access management, endpoint defense, network security, and vulnerability management.
• Working knowledge of SIEM, EDR, vulnerability scanners, identity providers such as Entra ID or Okta, and cloud platforms, preferably Azure.
• Solid understanding of networking, operating systems, authentication protocols, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Experience with ERP platforms and supporting business‑critical manufacturing systems.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Azure, VMware, Palo Alto, and related enterprise technologies.
• Ability to script using Python, PowerShell, or Bash for automation and operational tasks.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical and security concepts effectively to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Willingness to participate in an on‑call rotation for security and operational incidents.
• Occasional lifting or moving of equipment up to 30 lbs., along with routine movement around the office and manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience/Skills For The IT Director

• Experience with CMMC compliance, aerospace and defense manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Epicor ERP, particularly Epicor 10 and Epicor Kinetic, in a manufacturing environment.
• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCIE, CCNP Security, CompTIA Security+, CISA, CRISC, or equivalent.
• Experience leading or supporting cybersecurity audits and compliance initiatives.
• Exposure to cloud security posture management (CSPM).
• Familiarity with offensive security concepts and tools.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 GCC High, Azure infrastructure, VMware virtualization, and Power BI.
• Experience leading IT modernization, infrastructure upgrades, disaster recovery, or security improvement initiatives.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, MIS, or a related discipline is required.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $160k to $190k.
• 10% annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• Opportunity to report directly to the President and influence company‑wide technology strategy.
• Broad ownership of IT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and modernization initiatives.
• Client-provided benefits available, upon eligibility.