Director of Information Technology

Director of IT & Industrial Systems — Steel Processing

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.

Current state:

The plant is a greenfield build; ERP, MES, and automation systems are still being implemented by multiple vendors

There is no dedicated IT leadership today

No established environment to inherit; architecture, documentation, and standards start here

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

Success in this role looks like:

Reliable ERP, MES, and automation integration

Documented plant and corporate network architecture

Clear ownership of every system and interface

Secure IT/OT separation and controlled vendor remote access

Tested backup and disaster recovery procedures

Standardized IT practices and a roadmap for growth

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, approved case by case

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.