IT Manager - MES

IT Manager - MES

Lead and develop a team responsible for MES capabilities across Packaging & Cellulose, setting clear priorities, coaching employees, and building the technical and leadership capability needed for current and future needs. Shape a sustainable MES staffing and support model across facilities by applying internal talent, site resources, contractors, partners, and vendors by comparative advantage. Establish the long-term MES strategy, including platform lifecycle, standards, modernization priorities, technical roadmaps, and investment sequencing. Partner with mill, IT, OT, engineering, and capital project leaders to plan and deliver MES scope for projects, upgrades, integrations, and site initiatives. Build reliable support for business-critical MES platforms, including on-call expectations, escalation paths, incident coordination, vendor engagement, documentation, and knowledge transfer. Strengthen facility engagement so mill leaders and IT partners have clear visibility to platform ownership, support accountability, priorities, risks, and opportunities. Coordinate with infrastructure, cybersecurity, architecture, data and analytics, automation, ERP, quality, and other manufacturing technology teams to align MES solutions with enterprise standards and site operating needs.

Experience leading, supervising, or developing technical employees or cross-functional technology teams. Experience supporting manufacturing applications, MES platforms, industrial technology, or other business-critical production systems. Experience translating technology strategy or roadmaps into prioritized delivery plans. Experience leading technology delivery for capital projects, major implementations, upgrades, or complex integrations. Experience establishing or operating production support models that include after-hours support, incident escalation, and service accountability. Willing and able to travel to Packaging & Cellulose manufacturing facilities as needed and participate in an after-hours support and escalation model. Must have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

Experience leading MES teams or supporting MES platforms in pulp, paper, packaging, cellulose, or other continuous-process manufacturing environments. Experience in mill operations and the relationship between MES, ERP, SCADA, PLC, historian, quality, laboratory, and industrial automation environments. Experience building distributed or site-based support models across multiple manufacturing facilities. Experience with workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, or third-party sourcing strategies. Experience improving application reliability, service management, incident response, problem management, or knowledge management practices.