Director of IT & Industrial Systems

Director of IT & Industrial Systems
Location: Northeast Arkansas (Greater Memphis region) — on-site, split between the office and the plant floor
Pay Rate: $120,000–$180,000 base salary, based on experience, plus an annual performance bonus
Overview
Our client is a North American steel processing and supply company handling sourcing, coil processing, and multi-modal logistics for manufacturers and distributors. This role supports a new flat-rolled coil processing plant that began production in 2026, with phased expansion already planned.
The Director of IT & Industrial Systems is the first IT leader for the plant and owns both IT and OT. This is not a full-time PLC programming role, but the Director must understand industrial controls, manufacturing networks, and systems integration well enough to troubleshoot issues and hold automation and equipment vendors accountable. The role reports to the General Manager.
Systems environment:
ERP, MES, and line automation/controls systems (vendors disclosed during the interview process)
PLC, HMI, and SCADA environments, including an automated overhead crane and other automated processing equipment
Microsoft 365 and Windows; SQL databases; REST APIs and web services
Industrial protocols: OPC-UA and MQTT
VoIP, IP cameras and NVR, access control, VPN, firewalls, and managed switching
What the Director will own:
Systems integration
Integration between ERP, MES, automation, and processing equipment, including production orders, coil and material data, inventory transactions, and production results
Troubleshooting APIs, databases, network communications, and system interfaces
Diagnostic procedures for system and communication failures
Documentation of interfaces, data flows, IP addressing, network architecture, and system dependencies
Infrastructure
Plant and corporate network design and maintenance: switches, routers, firewalls, wireless, fiber, cabling, and redundancy
Segmentation between corporate IT and industrial OT networks
Corporate IT: computers, servers, Microsoft 365, email, printers, user accounts, permissions, licensing, and hardware inventory
VoIP telephone systems
Security and continuity
Manufacturing-appropriate cybersecurity policies and controls
Secure VPN and remote access for approved vendors
Backup, recovery, and business continuity procedures
IP cameras, NVR/cloud recording, remote viewing, and access control, including retention and access standards
Vendors, budget, and planning
Coordinating software vendors, controls integrators, and equipment manufacturers through implementation and troubleshooting, and enforcing specs, testing, and documentation
IT budgets and capital technology projects, including evaluation of vendor proposals
A technology roadmap for future automation, equipment, and software expansion
End-user support for employees and management
Software: ERP, MES, and automation platforms; Microsoft 365 and Windows; SQL; REST APIs; OPC-UA and MQTT; PLC/HMI/SCADA; VoIP; IP camera/NVR; VPN, firewall, and managed switching platforms
Compensation & Perks
$120,000–$180,000 base salary, based on experience; the top of the range is reserved for candidates who can work hands-on at the server and network level
Annual performance bonus paid as a percentage of salary, tied to defined KPIs
Full-time, on-site
Medical, dental, and vision coverage, eligible after 90 days; the company covers COBRA premiums until coverage begins
401(k) with a 3% company match, eligible after one year
Unlimited PTO
Paid holidays
Leadership that prioritizes automation and AI-driven tools over manual data entry, and backs the tools needed to get there
A direct reporting line to the General Manager and a defined mandate to build the plant's technology foundation from the start
Requirements
7+ years of progressively responsible IT experience
Manufacturing, distribution, steel processing, or industrial automation background strongly preferred
Experience supporting ERP and/or MES environments
Microsoft 365 and Windows administration
Working knowledge of SQL databases
Networking: TCP/IP, managed switches, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs, Wi-Fi, and fiber
Working understanding of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems
REST APIs and system-to-system integration
IT/OT network segmentation and manufacturing cybersecurity
IP surveillance cameras and VoIP systems
Experience managing technology and automation vendors
Comfortable working both in the office and on the plant floor
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred; significant manufacturing technology experience may substitute
Titles that translate: IT Manager, IT Director, Manufacturing Systems Manager, OT Systems Manager, Systems Integration Manager, Infrastructure Manager, Plant IT Manager.
Nice to have:
OPC-UA, MQTT, or similar industrial communication protocols
Automated crane systems or other automated plant equipment
Background check required.
This is not a remote position — this role is fully on-site at our client's plant in Northeast Arkansas. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Our client is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No