Position: Director of Technology
Reports to: Director of Business Optimization
Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides day-to-day guidance and functional leadership to a small team operating information and technology systems as well as implementation of technology development projects. This role coordinates with external contractors and consultants, including an external managed services provider (MSP).
Director of Technology Summary: The Director of Technology provides operational and strategic leadership for CMD's technology systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and business applications. This role partners with leaders across the organization to align technology initiatives with business needs, improve operational efficiency, protect company data, and ensure reliable technology support for employees. The Director leads day-to-day operations, oversees technology development projects, manages the technology team and vendor relationships, and supports continuous improvement through practical, secure, and scalable technology solutions that advance the organization's strategy.
Director of Technology Essential Functions:Growth and Strategy
- Develop and execute technology strategies, standards, policies, and procedures that support business goals, operational efficiency, data integrity, security, and reliable system performance.
- Develop and maintain a practical technology roadmap, evaluating emerging tools, platforms, and process improvements that support scalability, productivity, security, and long-term business needs.
- Deliver technology projects from development through implementation, including needs assessment, requirements development, and scope definition; solution sourcing, evaluation, and selection; project planning, budgeting, scheduling, communication, testing, and go-live execution; and training, documentation, and post-implementation support.
- Partner with department leaders to understand business needs, evaluate technology requests, improve processes, support reporting needs, and implement practical solutions that enhance productivity and customer success.
Operations and Cybersecurity
- Manage technology budgets, contracts, service agreements, software renewals, equipment lifecycle planning, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and dependable technology services.
- Oversee cybersecurity practices, access controls, backup and recovery processes, system monitoring, incident response, and risk mitigation efforts to protect company data and technology assets.
- Own and direct the managed services provider (MSP) agreement by providing technical direction and oversight, coordinating with MSP personnel and vendors, managing communication, governance, and policy, escalating issues unable to be resolved by the service desk, and reporting on overall health and status of technology systems.
- Provide leadership, coaching, prioritization, and day-to-day direction to technology team members and external technology partners to ensure responsive, high-quality support for employees and business operations.
Data and Technology Systems
- Lead the planning, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of CMD's information and technology systems, infrastructure, networks, hardware, software, and business applications.
- Identify and support product owners responsible for management of core business platforms and applications, including Microsoft environments, HubSpot, Epicor, AutoCAD, and related integrations, workflows, upgrades, licensing, user access, and vendor support.
- Ensure reliable core infrastructure and plant-floor technology, including server and database performance, industrial networking, and consistent campus Wi-Fi, so operational and shop-floor systems perform dependably.
- Lead data governance and business reporting (for example, Power BI) and establish AI enablement and acceptable-use governance to support the company's digital and AI initiatives.
- Establish, own, and regularly test business continuity, disaster recovery, backup, and restoration plans to ensure timely recovery of critical systems and minimal disruption to business operations.
Governance
- Ensure employees receive timely technical assistance, training, and communication regarding systems, tools, security expectations, and technology changes.
- Establish and monitor technology service expectations, operational metrics, support processes, and periodic reporting on system performance, risks, project status, and improvement priorities.
- Lead change management, communication, training, and adoption planning for new or changing technologies to ensure employees understand and effectively use systems and tools.
- Establish project and program governance - a formal intake and prioritization process, project steering committees with executive sponsors, and regular status reporting - to keep major initiatives on scope, on schedule, and visible to leadership.
- Maintain documentation for systems, processes, assets, security controls, user procedures, and disaster recovery plans to support continuity, compliance, and knowledge sharing.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list 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.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Director of Technology Competencies:- Strategic technology leadership and business alignment
- Strong working knowledge of IT infrastructure, systems administration, cybersecurity, data protection, and business applications
- Project management, prioritization, and follow-through
- Problem solving, analytical thinking, and sound decision-making
- Clear communication with technical and non-technical audiences
- Leadership, coaching, collaboration, and team development
- Customer service orientation and commitment to reliable employee support
- Stakeholder, consultant, and vendor management
Education and Experience:- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education, certifications, and relevant experience may be considered.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive information and technology experience, including experience leading technology operations, systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, business applications, and technology projects.
- Minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience managing, supervising, or providing functional/influence leadership to information and technology staff, vendors, consultants, and cross-functional project teams required.
- Experience supporting technology in a manufacturing, engineering, or equipment-based business environment preferred. Familiarity with plant-floor/operational technology (OT), industrial networking and campus Wi-Fi, and engineering/CAD environments is a plus.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft environments and enterprise business systems required; experience with HubSpot, Epicor, AutoCAD, ERP, CRM, and CAD-related systems strongly preferred.
- Experience with cybersecurity practices, data protection, backup and recovery, network administration, cloud-based systems, user support, system integrations, reporting, and vendor management required.
- Relevant technical, cybersecurity, project management, Microsoft, ERP, or business systems certifications preferred.
Additional Details and Requirements:Work Environment: CMD is located in Appleton, WI. Our three facilities operate by secure entry, are well lit, air temperature controlled for comfort, and clean with low noise. Safety is our top priority. Our culture is centered around mutual respect, clarity of communication, and employee wellbeing.
Physical Demands:- While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, and use hands and fingers.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements and ability to adjust focus.
- Capacity to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, ear protection, and hard hat as needed.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to moderate levels of noise, vibration, odor, and varying temperatures in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to follow health and safety guidelines and protocols including emergency procedures.
- Regular, predictable attendance is required.
Status: Full-time, exempt
Travel: Occasional, planned travel
Work Authorization/Security Clearance/Confidentiality: Must be authorized to work in the United States and adhere to CMD's confidentiality agreement(s).
