Role Overview for Vice President of Information Technology | Manufacturing | Nashville, TN
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, forward-thinking manufacturing organization in Nashville, Tennessee, in their search for a transformative Vice President of Information Technology. This is a pivotal executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, designed for a strategic and hands-on technology leader who will shape the future of the company’s technological landscape. The successful candidate will be responsible for the vision, strategy, and execution of all aspects of information technology and digital systems, ensuring they align with and drive the company’s ambitious business objectives.
As the VP of IT, you will be the catalyst for innovation, steering the company through a significant period of digital transformation. Your mandate will be to modernize infrastructure, optimize enterprise applications, fortify cybersecurity, and harness the power of data to create a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market. This role requires a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the manufacturing sector, including the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). You will lead a talented team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Your leadership will directly impact operational efficiency, product quality, supply chain resilience, and overall profitability. If you are a visionary leader with a passion for leveraging technology to revolutionize manufacturing operations, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Key Responsibilities of Vice President of Information Technology | Manufacturing | Nashville, TN
Strategic IT Leadership & Vision
Develop and communicate a clear, long-term IT vision and strategic roadmap that supports the company’s growth, operational excellence, and market leadership goals. Collaborate with the executive team to ensure technology initiatives are prioritized and aligned with corporate strategy.
Digital Transformation & Innovation
Champion and direct the company’s digital transformation journey. Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies such as IoT, AI/ML, advanced data analytics, and automation to enhance manufacturing processes and create smart factory environments. Drive initiatives related to Industry 4.0 to improve productivity and decision-making.
Infrastructure & Operations Management
Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of a robust, scalable, and secure IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud services (Azure/AWS), and data centers. Ensure high levels of system availability, performance, and disaster recovery readiness.
Enterprise Systems & Application Oversight
Direct the management, optimization, and integration of all enterprise applications, including the core ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms. Ensure these systems effectively support business processes and provide actionable data.
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Establish and maintain a comprehensive, enterprise-wide cybersecurity program to protect company data, intellectual property, and critical infrastructure from internal and external threats. Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards and data privacy regulations (e.g., NIST, CMMC).
Team Leadership & Talent Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing IT organization. Foster a collaborative and innovative culture that attracts, retains, and develops top technology talent. Structure the IT department to effectively support the evolving needs of the business.
Budget & Vendor Management
Develop and manage the annual IT operating and capital budgets, ensuring investments are cost-effective and deliver maximum value. Lead vendor negotiations, manage key technology partnerships, and oversee service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure quality and performance.
Data Governance & Business Intelligence
Create and enforce a robust data governance framework to ensure data quality, integrity, and accessibility. Champion the use of business intelligence and data analytics tools to provide critical insights that support strategic decision-making across all business functions.
IT/OT Convergence
Bridge the gap between traditional IT systems and shop-floor Operational Technology (OT), including SCADA and industrial control systems. Develop a cohesive strategy to ensure seamless integration, data flow, and security across both domains.
Requirements for the Vice President of Information Technology | Manufacturing | Nashville, TN
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree or MBA is strongly preferred.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Information Technology, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., Director of IT, Senior Director, VP) managing complex IT environments and teams.
Manufacturing Industry Expertise
Demonstrable and significant experience within the manufacturing industry is a non-negotiable requirement. Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain logistics, shop floor systems (MES/SCADA), and the IT/OT landscape is essential.
Strategic & Visionary Mindset
Proven ability to develop and execute a technology strategy that aligns with and drives business goals. Experience leading large-scale digital transformation and change management initiatives.
Technical Acumen
Broad and deep knowledge of modern IT infrastructure, cloud computing platforms (Azure, AWS), enterprise architecture, cybersecurity frameworks (NIST), data management, and business intelligence. Extensive experience with Tier 1 or Tier 2 ERP systems is critical.
Leadership & Communication Skills
Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills. The ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including the board of directors and executive leadership.
Financial Acumen
Strong experience with IT budget management, financial planning, vendor contract negotiation, and demonstrating the ROI of technology investments.
Problem-Solving & Decision Making
A results-oriented leader with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of making critical decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. This includes:
Competitive Executive Compensation
A highly attractive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and long-term incentive plan (LTI).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Full suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Paid Time Off
Ample paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and sick leave to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
Significant investment in your growth through funding for certifications, conferences, and executive education programs.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the right candidate.
Work Environment
An opportunity to join a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking executive team dedicated to innovation and market leadership.
How to Apply
This is a retained search managed exclusively by JRG Partners. To be considered for this career-defining opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience in the manufacturing sector and your accomplishments in leading digital transformation. We are looking for leaders who are ready to make a significant impact.
JRG Partners is a leader in executive search for technology leaders. To learn more about our expertise and other opportunities, please visit the JRG Partners’ CIO & CTO Executive Search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how your background aligns with this exciting role.
