Garlock Flexibles

Role Description This role leads a broad IT transformation spanning ERP modernization, shop floor automation, enterprise data infrastructure, and commercial systems modernization. The Director of IT Applications leads the strategy, implementation, and ongoing governance of our core manufacturing and business application portfolio. The Director of IT Applications owns the application lifecycle across: - ERP platforms (ePS Radius and Globetek) - MES/shop floor systems (AutoCount 4D, PrintFlow) - Pricing and quoting tools - EDI - Cloud-based finance systems This position is remote with the ability to travel up to 25%. Key Responsibilities - Strategic Leadership and Governance: - Define and execute the enterprise application roadmap aligned to business strategy, ERP consolidation goals, and the company's multi-site manufacturing transformation program. - Serve as the internal subject matter authority for manufacturing ERP platforms, MIS systems, and their integration ecosystems. - Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of analysts, architects, and implementation specialists across application workstreams. - Establish and enforce application governance standards including change management protocols, validation frameworks, and release management disciplines. - Partner with the CIO, plant operations leadership, finance, and supply chain to prioritize application investments and translate business requirements into scalable IT solutions. - Develop and manage the IT Applications budget, including licensing, vendor contracts, professional services engagements, and internal resource planning. - Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and contractual service commitments. - Leadership & Staffing: - Building and developing a high performing team. - Setting clear performance expectations and holding teammates accountable for performance. - Compliance: - Ensuring adherence to legal regulations and company policies. - Ensuring compliance with all regulatory, safety, food contact, and environmental requirements. - Support change management efforts associated with process improvements, system enhancements, and organizational growth. - ERP & MIS Platform Ownership: - Own the full application lifecycle for ePS Radius Packaging Suite and Globetek ERP across multiple production facilities, including configuration, extensions, upgrades, and integrations. - Oversee managing coexistence strategy and long-term migration planning toward standardized platform architecture. - Design and govern RESTful API and XLink integration architectures connecting Radius to pricing systems, production intelligence platforms, and third-party data sources. - Direct PrintFlow Scheduling and AutoCount 4D (MES) configuration, automation pipelines, and real-time production data integration initiatives. - Manage the evaluation, selection, and implementation of cloud-based software platforms to replace legacy systems. - Integration, Data & Analytics: - Architect and govern enterprise integration standards across ERP, MES, EDI, pricing, and financial systems — including error handling, validation rules, and API contract management. - Partner with data and analytics teams to ensure ERP and application data quality supports enterprise reporting, standard costing analytics, and commercial intelligence initiatives. - Support development of automation tools, workflows and ERP integration for real-time data synchronization. - Vendor Management & Project Delivery: - Manage relationships with application vendors, implementation partners, and managed service providers — including contract negotiation, SOW governance, and SLA accountability. - Lead complex, multi-site application implementations using structured project methodologies, including scope management, resource planning, UAT coordination, and go-live support. - Ensure system upgrades are delivered through rigorous planning, regression testing, and cutover coordination with minimal operational disruption. - Oversee helpdesk escalations and second/third-level application support for manufacturing users across all facilities. Qualifications - 10+ years of progressive IT experience in manufacturing environments, with at least 4 years in a senior application leadership, solution architecture, or director-level role. - Deep hands-on expertise with ePS Radius Packaging Suite ERP, including configuration, API/XLink integrations, PrintFlow, and AutoCount 4D (MES). - Demonstrated experience implementing or managing ERP systems in multi-site manufacturing companies; flexible packaging industry experience is a significant plus. - Proficiency architecting RESTful API integrations between ERP, MES, financial, and third-party platforms. - Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering complex, multi-workstream IT programs on time and within budget. - Experience managing vendor contracts, SOW negotiations, and professional services engagements. - Excellent executive communication skills — ability to present technical recommendations and program status to C-suite and board audiences. - Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience). Preferred - Flexible packaging or converting industry experience. - Familiarity with cloud-based platforms such as Sage Intacct, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, or Acumatica. - Experience with EDI platforms and trading partner integration (850, 856, 810, 832 transaction sets). - Exposure to demand planning tools in a manufacturing context. - Working knowledge of SQL, Python, or scripting languages sufficient to evaluate technical designs and collaborate with development resources. - Experience with enterprise data warehouse or BI platforms (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) in a manufacturing reporting context. - PMP, ITIL, or equivalent professional certification. - Effective interpersonal skills for both internal and external stakeholders. - Problem-solving skills to address operational issues. - Demonstrated experience with budgeting, P&L management, and cost management. - Proven ability to lead through influence in highly cross-functional environments. Leadership Competencies - Visible, hands-on leader who can inspire, engage, and develop teams. - Data-driven decision maker with the ability to balance speed and discipline. - Proven change leader comfortable driving transformation and growth. - Excellent communication and relationship-management skills with internal and external stakeholders. - Change leadership capabilities within complex, multi-site organizations. - High level of professionalism, judgment, and customer advocacy. Additional Job Functions - Complies with all general Company-wide standard operating procedures (SOP’s) and any job or department specific SOP’s. - SOP’s may cover the areas of (but are not limited to): - Employee Health and Safety - GFSI (Safe Quality Food packaging) and GMP (good manufacturing procedures) focused on eliminating contaminates in all packaging manufactured. - SGP (Sustainable Green Printer) environmental regulatory procedures and SOP’s. - Must work within productivity standards and completes work in a timely manner. - Special Projects & other duties as necessary. Physical Demands - Role spans 10 manufacturing facilities across the United States and Aurora, Ontario, Canada. - Exempt, work from home role. - Travel up to 25% of time. Other Details Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This company is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. It is the responsibility of all Employees to ensure that the product produced by Garlock Flexibles/C-P Flexible Packaging meets or exceeds the expectations for quality of the company and their customers. It is also the responsibility of all employees to ensure that the Hygiene of their work area meets or exceeds the standards set in the company’s Good Manufacturing Practices Manual.