IT Manager

Job Description

Position: IT Manager
Location: Itasca, IL 60143
Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary range: $130K -$180K DOE

I am looking for a hands-on IT Manager with 5+ years of leadership experience to oversee IT operations, infrastructure, and security for our growing manufacturing company. This role is crucial in ensuring the performance, reliability, and security of our IT systems while supporting business expansion and technological innovation.

As part of a small but growing team, the IT Manager will play a key role in governance, decision-making, and long-term IT strategy. This position requires a balance of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic planning to drive business success. The ideal candidate will also be responsible for managing external vendor relationships and staying ahead of emerging technologies to keep the company competitive and future-ready.

Key Responsibilities

IT Infrastructure Management

• Oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, and servers.
• Ensure optimal performance, scalability, and security of all IT systems to support manufacturing operations.
• Continuously monitor system health and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Coordinate IT support services, ensuring the efficient resolution of technical problems.

IT Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement IT policies, procedures, and best practices to align with business growth.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess IT needs and deliver scalable solutions.
• Play a key role in governance and IT decision-making, ensuring technology investments align with company objectives.
• Identify and implement innovative technologies to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Research and recommend new technologies, tools, and strategies to drive the company's growth and keep systems up to date.
• Maintain strong relationships with external vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and ensuring optimal service delivery.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure IT systems comply with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Implement cybersecurity strategies to protect against threats and data breaches.
• Oversee data backups, disaster recovery plans, and business continuity strategies.

Project Management

• Lead IT projects, including system upgrades, migrations, and new technology implementations.
• Ensure comprehensive documentation of IT systems, processes, and procedures.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, and system management.
• Expertise in Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and Power Platform.
• Proficiency in user account management via Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco Meraki devices, including firewalls, switches, and access points.
• Knowledge of VPN configuration, network segmentation, and traffic shaping policies.
• Expertise in wireless network optimization and security appliance configurations using Cisco Meraki solutions.
• Deep understanding of security and compliance policies, including MFA, DLP, and email security protocols.
• Proficiency in cybersecurity tools and best practices.
• Familiarity with IT governance frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., ISO, GDPR).
• Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and IT operations.
• Must be comfortable in a hands-on role while also driving strategic IT initiatives.
• Experience managing external vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring service quality.
• Ability to stay on top of emerging technologies and assess their potential impact on business growth.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNA, CISSP, or Microsoft certifications are a plus.

Sterling Engineering / Staffing has a rich history of delivering top talent to our clients. We are a nationwide Staffing Firm that has been in business for over 55 years. With over 200 currently active clients, Sterling works within the Automation, Energy, Facilities, Information Technology, Food, Logistics / Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Packaging, Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering and R&D industries.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Meet Your Recruiter

Max Francis
Technical Recruiter

Max Francis is a seasoned Engineering Recruiter specializing in the Automation Division at Sterling. With five years of invaluable experience in recruitment, Max is on a mission to help individuals find their perfect career move-one that aligns with their professional goals and supports their families.

As an Engineering Recruiter, Max excels in the Automation Division, leveraging his deep industry knowledge to connect candidates with opportunities tailor-made for their unique skill sets and aspirations. He understands that finding the right career move is a pivotal moment in people's lives, and he thrives on being a part of that journey.

What Max finds most exciting and rewarding about his work is the opportunity to guide individuals to their ideal career fit. He recognizes that this transition is an exhilarating time for most people, and he derives immense satisfaction from helping them navigate the path toward their next professional adventure.

Max's advice to job seekers is grounded in the value of connections. He believes that having a well-connected recruiter within the industry you aspire to be in can open doors to companies and positions that may not be readily available on job boards. In today's competitive job market, he encourages candidates to connect with a recruiter early in their job search journey. While he advocates for candidates to continue their independent job searches, he emphasizes the benefit of having an additional set of experienced eyes on the market.

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As one of the most respected names in engineering staffing, Sterling has hundreds of opportunities with top employers. If you've got a friend or colleague seeking their next move in engineering, we could have their next opportunity. We offer a referral bonus for every referral that we place. Submit referral now.