Manufacturing IT & Application Mgr

We are looking for a technically strong IT leader to guide application support, software development, and operational technology initiatives in Chesterfield, Michigan. This position blends team oversight with direct hands-on work across business systems that support manufacturing, engineering, logistics, finance, and enterprise technology functions. The successful candidate will help keep critical platforms stable, improve system performance, and drive practical enhancements that support day-to-day operations and long-term efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day support and continuous improvement for business-critical manufacturing and operational applications.
• Design, develop, and maintain software solutions using Microsoft-based development tools to meet evolving business needs.
• Administer and optimize SQL Server databases to support application reliability, reporting, and data integrity.
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, logistics, finance, and corporate IT teams to identify issues, define solutions, and align technology with operational goals.
• Oversee IT operations related to application availability, system performance, hardware support, and configuration control.
• Supervise technical staff, assign priorities, and provide guidance on support, development, and troubleshooting activities.
• Coordinate external vendors and service partners to ensure timely delivery, issue resolution, and effective system support.
• Contribute directly to modernization efforts, including web-based application development and integration between business systems.
• Support operational platforms such as ERP, warehouse management, and manufacturing execution systems through maintenance and enhancement initiatives.
• At least 5 years of experience in IT leadership, application management, or a related technical management role.
• Strong hands-on background in software development with C# and .NET technologies; experience with VB-based environments is also valuable.
• Proven experience managing Microsoft SQL Server databases, including support for performance, stability, and data accuracy.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing technology environments and systems such as ERP, WMS, and manufacturing execution platforms.
• Ability to lead technical teams while remaining actively involved in development, support, and problem resolution.
• Experience with computer hardware and configuration management in a business or industrial setting.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across business stakeholders, technical teams, and third-party vendors.