Company Overview
Stuart Rush is a private business formed from the legacy electric chain hoist plants of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, with the first Lodestar® hoist made in the 1950s. With long-standing operations in Damascus, VA and Lexington, TN, the company builds on a legacy of quality in chain and hoist manufacturing. Stuart Rush values its employees as the foundation of its success and is committed to fostering a strong, supportive and resilient workplace. The company is dedicated to delivering reliable products and earning customer trust through consistent performance while building a strong future for its people and customers.
Director of Information Technology (Manufacturing)
Location: Knoxville, TN
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Position Summary
The Director of IT is responsible for leading all technology operations across a manufacturing-focused organization, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and aligned with business objectives. This role oversees the company’s technology infrastructure, ERP environment, data architecture, and vendor ecosystem while partnering closely with operations, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams.
This leader will work collaboratively across the organization to develop technology plans, policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with company goals. The Director of IT will also coordinate and execute the transition from existing to new platforms and systems, while serving as the enterprise architect and driving the continual improvement of business systems and data products to support evolving business needs.
The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience supporting and optimizing a mid-market cloud ERP in a mixed-mode manufacturing environment. Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, or similar modern data architecture is highly advantageous.
This leader will oversee a small internal IT team supported by key external service providers.
Key Deliverables
- Deliver IT assurance to the business by ensuring architecture, systems, and services are available, reliable, and secure.
- Oversee all technology operations and evaluate performance against established organizational goals.
- Establish IT policies, systems, standards, and governance frameworks that support business strategy and operational execution.
- Assess business requirements across all departments and translate them into practical, scalable technology solutions.
- Coordinate and execute platform and system transitions with minimal business disruption.
- Optimize the ERP environment and broader application stack to support manufacturing, supply chain, and business performance.
Position Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the IT function in collaboration with senior leadership.
- Develop the IT strategy in partnership with leadership, ensuring alignment with manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial priorities.
- Establish departmental policies, practices, and procedures that have a significant impact on the organization.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on technology opportunities, risks, investments, and priorities.
- Consult with leaders across the organization to identify business and technology needs and optimize the use of information technology.
Technology Operations & Infrastructure
- Oversee all technology operations, including infrastructure, systems performance, hardware, software, telecommunications, and cloud environments.
- Ensure smooth delivery and operation of IT services by monitoring system performance, uptime, reliability, and service levels.
- Oversee network infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, hardware lifecycle, and core enterprise technologies.
- Ensure reported issues are resolved in a timely manner and maintain strong service delivery across all locations.
- Ensure the ongoing maintenance and support of current projects, systems, and technology platforms.
ERP & Business Systems
- Lead the optimization and continuous improvement of the company’s mid-market cloud ERP system.
- Coordinate the transition from existing to new systems and platforms, ensuring strong execution and user adoption.
- Partner with plant and business leadership to support production, scheduling, inventory, quality, and other operational workflows.
- Manage integrations between ERP and other operational and business systems, including MES, CRM, and related platforms as applicable.
- Create processes and standards for the selection, implementation, support, and enhancement of systems.
- Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve data accuracy and operational efficiency.
Data Architecture & Business Intelligence
- Serve as the enterprise architect, continually developing business systems and data products to support business needs.
- Oversee the development of data models, dashboards, reporting tools, and analytics capabilities to improve decision-making.
- Lead the evolution of the organization’s data architecture, including Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, or similar platforms.
- Ensure appropriate data governance, quality, accessibility, and integrity across the organization.
Vendor & Financial Management
- Develop, manage, and track the annual IT budget, ensuring cost-effective technology investments.
- Prepare financial budgets and performance reports for the department.
- Build effective relationships with vendors and negotiate cost-efficient contracts.
- Manage IT vendors and service providers to ensure strong service levels and return on investment.
- Purchase efficient and cost-effective technology equipment and software in alignment with business needs.
Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
- Identify vulnerabilities, system gaps, upgrade needs, and opportunities for improvement.
- Recommend and implement strategic solutions, new systems, software, and process improvements.
- Maintain compliance with cybersecurity standards, internal controls, and industry best practices.
- Monitor emerging technologies and assess their relevance to the organization’s strategy and operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- 8+ years of experience managing IT operations, technology teams, or vendors.
- Proven experience as an IT Director or similar leadership role.
- Experience supporting mid-market manufacturing cloud ERP systems.
- Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, or similar data architectures.
Technical & Leadership Skills
- Strong understanding of hardware, software, networks, and cloud environments.
- Experience managing IT budgets and technology investments.
- Skilled in evaluating, implementing, and optimizing IT systems.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner across all levels of the organization.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
- Knowledge of project management principles and best practices.
- Willingness to travel as needed to support multi-site operations.
Benefits
At Stuart Rush, we value our employees and are committed to offering a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, paid time off, and a 401(k) plan.
