IT General Manager

About The Role A global manufacturing organization specializing in advanced plastic components, primarily serving the automotive industry is seeking an IT General Manager. The organization combines deep technical expertise with a forward-looking approach to “monozukuri” (craftsmanship in manufacturing), emphasizing sustainability, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. This is an opportunity to join a well-established yet evolving company investing in digital transformation and modern IT infrastructure to support its next phase of growth. The IT General Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and continuous improvement of both Information Systems (IS) and IT functions. Qualifications 10+ years of IT experience, including ERP, infrastructure, and security within a manufacturing environment 8+ years of progressive leadership experience Proven experience managing multiple IT functions or departments Deep expertise in ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA strongly preferred), infrastructure, and cybersecurity Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and production systems (MES experience preferred) Solid knowledge of network architecture, client/server systems, and enterprise applications Hands-on experience with servers, networks, backup systems, and Wi-Fi environments SAP experience highly preferred Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Define and execute IT and Information Systems strategy aligned with business and manufacturing objectives Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities for digital transformation and operational efficiency Develop short- and long-term technology roadmaps supporting growth and scalability Lead continuous improvement initiatives across systems, processes, and data utilization Enterprise Systems & ERP Governance Oversee ERP (SAP preferred), MES, BI tools, and core enterprise applications Lead system implementations, upgrades, and integrations across business units Ensure data accuracy, reporting reliability, and system optimization Establish governance frameworks, documentation standards, and change management processes Maintain high availability through robust disaster recovery and business continuity planning IT Infrastructure & Operations Oversee networks, servers, cloud environments, and end-user support Ensure stability, performance, and scalability of all IT services Manage hardware/software lifecycle, standardization, and procurement Support both office and production environments, including plant-floor systems Cybersecurity & Risk Management Develop and enforce cybersecurity strategy, policies, and controls Ensure compliance with security standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies Lead incident response planning and security awareness initiatives Financial & Vendor Management Manage IT budgets, capital planning, and cost optimization initiatives Evaluate and negotiate vendor contracts and service agreements Ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value Maintain strong partnerships with external technology providers Leadership & Organizational Development Lead, mentor, and develop IT and IS teams Establish performance expectations and professional development plans Promote cross-functional collaboration with operations, engineering, and finance Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and service-oriented IT support