Description
American Equipment Systems is one of the leading material handling and industrial solutions providers in the United States. Over the years, our ability to grow and set ourselves apart from the competition is the result of a tried and true philosophy — take care of our customers and take care of our people.
We believe that our people matter, which is why we are committed to providing our team members with competitive wages, attractive benefit offerings, and abundant training opportunities. As one of the fastest growing companies in our industry, new opportunities are regularly available that enable our team members to develop, grow, and pursue their career passions.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director, IT Operations and Security to lead our IT Operations and Cybersecurity functions. This senior leader will be responsible for both the day-to-day reliability of our IT infrastructure and the long-term strategic direction of our technology and security programs. The Director will oversee teams that develop and implement enabling technology solutions, respond to service desk needs, ensure system stability and performance, and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of AES corporate data and information systems.
This role bridges strategic leadership with significant hands-on operational oversight, partnering closely with executive leadership to align IT capabilities with business objectives and drive digital transformation across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Technology Direction
- Lead IT strategy, infrastructure initiatives, and digital transformation efforts in alignment with organizational goals
- Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure technology investments support business growth and operational efficiency
- Develop, implement, and maintain IT policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements
- Stay current with emerging technologies, cybersecurity trends, and best practices to continuously enhance the organization’s technology posture
IT Operations & Infrastructure
- Oversee day-to-day IT operations, ensuring the availability, performance, and security of enterprise networks, systems, and data
- Ensure endpoint compliance with security standards; enforce policies using Microsoft Intune in coordination with application and security teams
- Manage IT inventory (laptops, phones, and related hardware) and coordinate hardware procurement for users across all locations
- Monitor support trends, identify automation opportunities, and optimize workflows and documentation; extend self-service options to cover common business system requests
- Oversee end-user software licensing, including evaluating tools, auditing usage, and managing vendor renewals and compliance
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
- Develop and execute a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect corporate data, systems, and infrastructure
- Identify, assess, and manage IT risks including cybersecurity threats, system vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps; implement mitigation strategies and controls
- Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of AES information systems and data assets
- Enforce safety policies and security practices to cultivate a culture of security awareness across the organization
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, manage, and hold accountable the IT Operations and Security team members across all functions
- Train and mentor IT Operations, Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity staff; foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture
- Prepare documentation, guidelines, and solution articles that standardize processes and empower team members
Vendor & MSP Management
- Serve as the primary owner of the relationship with AES’s Managed Service Provider (MSP), ensuring contractual obligations are met and service levels align with business needs
- Direct, assign, and manage the day-to-day work of MSP resources, providing clear priorities, escalation paths, and performance expectations
- Conduct regular business reviews with the MSP to evaluate performance against SLAs, address service gaps, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
- Ensure MSP resources operate in accordance with AES policies, security standards, and internal processes; hold the MSP accountable for compliance and quality of work
- Manage and optimize relationships with all IT vendors and third-party technology partners, including contract negotiations, renewals, and performance management
- Evaluate vendor and MSP capabilities on an ongoing basis; recommend changes to sourcing strategy where appropriate to improve quality, cost, or coverage
Budget & Financial Management
- Manage IT budgets, optimize technology expenditures, and ensure cost-effective delivery of IT services and projects
- Allocate and manage resources and personnel for IT Operations in alignment with organizational priorities
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field from an accredited institution; equivalent experience considered
- Minimum 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including 5+ years in IT leadership or management roles
- Previous experience in Service Desk, NOC, SOC, or multi-branch/multi-location IT support environments
- Experience in manufacturing, industrial, or similarly distributed operational environments a plus
Technical Skills
- Deep knowledge of IT systems, cloud computing (Microsoft Azure preferred), cybersecurity, and enterprise networking
- LAN/WAN design, configuration, and support experience; Cisco Meraki preferred; solid understanding of DNS, DHCP, and VPN
- Experience with Microsoft Azure services including compute, storage, networking, and Entra ID
- Proficiency with Microsoft tools including Intune and Defender
- Familiarity with ITSM/ticketing platforms such as ServiceNow, Freshservice, or Atlassian Jira
- Experience with IT project management methodologies including Agile and ITIL/ITSM frameworks
- General knowledge of database concepts, MS SQL, and/or ERP solutions
Leadership & Soft Skills
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively at all organizational levels
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to develop innovative technology solutions
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage high-stakes situations, and resolve conflicts effectively
- Strong financial management and budgeting acumen
- Strong written and oral communication skills with exceptional attention to detail
Certifications (Preferred)
- IT certifications such as CISSP, CISM, ITIL, CCNP, or equivalent cybersecurity/management credentials strongly preferred
This is a full-time, onsite position with standard business hours Monday through Friday. Occasional travel to branch locations may be required. The role may require after-hours availability to address critical system issues or security incidents.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Health Insurance
- Company contributed FSA & HSA healthcare options
- Critical Illness, Accidental, and Hospital Indemnity Plans
- Dental and Vision plans
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD & LTD)
- Basic & Voluntary Life AD&D
- 4% Matching 401(k)
- PTO and 56 hours front-loaded PTO upon hire
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
- A supportive and collaborative work environment
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.