Role Background

Our client, an established and well-regarded private equity firm, is seeking a highly experienced Vice President of IT for a portfolio company, a leader in the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) space. The company provides manufacturing and industrial support services to a variety of industry verticals including energy, packaging and papermaking, railroad, chemical, marine and mining industries, among others.

The company offers industrial equipment, on-site mechanical and repair services, regionally based shop services, quality assurance and quality control inspection, testing and parts supply, rental and remanufacturing services, ensuring customers with quicker and more cost-effective services.

The portfolio company has grown through the acquisition and integration of smaller businesses, resulting in a disparate IT landscape, and the VP of IT will lead the transformation and consolidation of the company’s fragmented IT infrastructure. The current IT environment consists of multiple instances of systems configured differently across business units, which has created operational inefficiencies and challenges in scalability.

As the company continues its growth trajectory, the VP of IT will play a critical role in stabilizing and securing the IT environment, leading and growing the IT team, and aligning IT strategy with broader business objectives. This role is pivotal in preparing the company for potential future transactions and ensuring its IT systems are robust, secure, and scalable to support the company's long-term goals.

Responsibilities:

Strategic IT Alignment: Collaborate with company leadership to position IT as a partner in supporting the company’s growth and evolution. Develop IT strategy with the company’s business objectives in mind, driving efficiency and supporting growth initiatives. Work closely with other business leaders to eliminate redundant processes and implement effective IT solutions.
Leadership and Team Development: Manage and develop a dispersed IT team of ~25. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the IT function.
IT Systems Consolidation and Integration: Lead the integration of the company’s fragmented IT infrastructure, with a focus on consolidating multiple instances of key backoffice systems. Ensure seamless integration across business units while maintaining operational stability, while concurrently maintaining and optimizing a hybrid environment in areas of the business where system consolidation is not feasible.
Security and Compliance: Ensure that all IT operations are secure and compliant with industry standards. Implement best practices for data security and business continuity.
Future-Proofing IT Infrastructure: Prepare the IT infrastructure to support the company’s growth and potential future transactions, ensuring that the IT environment is scalable and capable of supporting business expansion.

Requirements

10+ years of IT leadership experience, preferably in the industrial, manufacturing, or field services/MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) industries.
Proven track record in IT systems integration, particularly in complex, multi-unit environments.
Strong understanding of enterprise systems, including expertise in managing and optimizing platforms like Sage 100.
Experience managing hybrid IT environments leveraging different systems across different environments and lines of business, ensuring secure and reliable operations across software platforms.
Demonstrated ability to align IT strategy with business objectives, driving operational efficiency and supporting growth initiatives.
Exceptional team leadership skills, with experience leading geographically dispersed IT teams.
Expertise in IT security and compliance, with a focus on safeguarding data and maintaining business continuity.
Proficiency in project management, particularly in leading IT transformations and managing cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of interfacing effectively with senior leadership and business unit leaders.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; advanced certifications in IT management or systems integration preferred.

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