Job Description
Job Description:\n\n IT Manager\n Location: 2577 AR-59, Decatur, ARJob Type: Full-Time, On-SiteDepartment: Information TechnologyReports To: Plant Manager, with functional alignment to Group IT ManagerClassification: Salaried, ExemptSchedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours, with flexibility to provide after-hours and weekend support for critical systems or operational needs\n About United Petfood\n United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.\n Joining us means joining an international, passionate, and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there—we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a place in which you can grow, bloom, and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!\n Check out our website: United Petfood Producers USA, Inc.\n Position Summary\n The IT Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, reliability, security, support, and continuous improvement of information technology systems and infrastructure at United Petfood's Decatur, Arkansas manufacturing facility.\n This is a highly hands-on position serving as the primary on-site IT resource for the facility. The IT Manager provides technical support across business and manufacturing operations, maintains the existing technology environment, and supports the integration and implementation of additional United Petfood systems and applications.\n The position is responsible for supporting local servers, networks, workstations, business applications, manufacturing technology, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure. This includes maintaining applications and technology retained from the facility's previous ownership while coordinating the implementation and integration of new systems, including Microsoft Dynamics 365.\n Working closely with plant leadership, Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Warehouse, Quality, People & Engagement, external vendors, the Indiana IT team, and Group IT, the IT Manager ensures technology solutions support operational efficiency, system reliability, information security, and business continuity.\n The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with an ownership mindset, excellent troubleshooting skills, and the ability to independently manage a broad range of IT responsibilities within an active manufacturing environment.\n Duties & Responsibilities\n IT Operations & Infrastructure Management\n \n Manage day-to-day IT operations and serve as the primary on-site technical resource for the Decatur manufacturing facility.\n Maintain the availability, reliability, performance, and security of IT systems supporting business and manufacturing operations.\n Install, configure, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot servers, computers, network equipment, printers, mobile devices, and other IT hardware.\n Administer Windows Server, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, user accounts, permissions, licensing, and related systems.\n Manage and support network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, VPN, Wi-Fi, firewalls, switches, routing, and network segmentation.\n Maintain network connectivity and reliable communication between plant systems, business applications, and external services.\n Manage virtualization environments, including Microsoft Hyper-V.\n Monitor infrastructure performance and proactively identify equipment, network, or system issues.\n Coordinate operating system updates, security patches, software upgrades, and hardware replacements.\n Manage IT infrastructure lifecycle activities, including installation, replacement, upgrades, and technology refresh projects.\n Maintain accurate network diagrams, system configurations, equipment inventories, and technical documentation.\n Support data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity processes, including periodic testing of recovery capabilities.\n Troubleshoot hardware, software, network, connectivity, and system performance issues to minimize operational disruptions.\n \n Business Applications & Enterprise Systems Support\n \n Provide local technical support for business applications and software systems utilized throughout the Decatur facility.\n Maintain and support the existing technology environment retained from Wellness Pet Company, including established business, operational, and manufacturing applications.\n Support applications such as ADP Workforce Now, ClearCompany, Engagedly, Alchemy LMS, RedZone, IFS, Ignition, DocLocator, and other company-approved systems, as applicable to local IT responsibilities.\n Coordinate with application owners, corporate support teams, and external vendors to troubleshoot system access, connectivity, integration, and performance issues.\n Assist with user access, permissions, account provisioning, system configuration, and application-related technical support.\n Support the implementation, integration, and ongoing technical operation of new United Petfood systems, including Microsoft Dynamics 365.\n Coordinate with Group IT and designated application specialists on system implementations, upgrades, data integration, and technical troubleshooting.\n Support connectivity and communication between existing plant applications and newly implemented enterprise systems.\n Assist with testing, deployment, troubleshooting, and user support during application changes and system transitions.\n Maintain documentation of application configurations, integrations, access requirements, and technical support procedures.\n Work with department leaders to understand system needs and identify opportunities to improve application reliability and functionality.\n Ensure business application support activities align with company cybersecurity, data protection, and IT governance requirements.\n \n Manufacturing Systems & Operational Technology Support\n \n Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Warehouse, Quality, and external technology providers to support IT systems utilized throughout the manufacturing environment.\n Maintain and troubleshoot IT infrastructure supporting manufacturing applications, production equipment connectivity, and shop-floor technology.\n Support industrial networks, production-floor computers, manufacturing workstations, scanners, printers, and other connected equipment.\n Assist with the IT infrastructure supporting Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and other Operational Technology (OT) applications where applicable.\n Coordinate with Controls Engineering, Maintenance, and external OT specialists when troubleshooting technology issues affecting manufacturing equipment or production systems.\n Support secure communication and integration between business IT systems and manufacturing OT environments.\n Maintain appropriate network segmentation, access controls, and cybersecurity safeguards between IT and OT systems.\n Assist with installation, upgrades, and integration of technology associated with manufacturing equipment and production systems.\n Support manufacturing data collection, reporting, and communication systems.\n Prioritize technical issues that may impact production, product quality, equipment reliability, or operational continuity.\n Coordinate planned IT maintenance and system changes to minimize disruptions to manufacturing operations.\n Support technology-related troubleshooting and recovery activities during critical production outages.\n \n End-User Support & Technical Services\n \n Provide hands-on technical support to employees, supervisors, and leadership throughout the facility.\n Troubleshoot computer, software, network, printer, email, and other technology-related issues.\n Install, configure, and deploy computers, monitors, printers, mobile devices, and other approved equipment.\n Manage employee technology onboarding, including workstation setup, account provisioning, system access, and equipment assignment.\n Coordinate with People & Engagement and department leadership regarding employee transfers, access changes, and terminations.\n Ensure timely deactivation of accounts and recovery of company-issued equipment when employees separate from employment.\n Support Microsoft 365 applications, email, collaboration tools, and other employee productivity systems.\n Assist users with software access, password issues, permissions, connectivity, and application troubleshooting.\n Provide basic user training and guidance on company technology, cybersecurity awareness, and appropriate system usage.\n Coordinate escalation of complex technical issues to Group IT, external vendors, or specialized support providers.\n Maintain accurate records of support requests, technical issues, resolutions, and recurring problems.\n Identify opportunities to improve employee technology support and reduce recurring service issues.\n \n Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Business Continuity\n \n Implement and maintain cybersecurity controls in accordance with company policies and Group IT standards.\n Monitor and support endpoint protection, antivirus, firewalls, access controls, and other security technologies.\n Coordinate security patching, vulnerability remediation, and system updates.\n Maintain appropriate user access controls, permissions, and authentication requirements.\n Support secure administration of servers, workstations, networks, and business applications.\n Assist with cybersecurity incident identification, investigation, escalation, and response in coordination with Group IT.\n Support security awareness initiatives and employee education regarding cybersecurity risks.\n Maintain and periodically verify data backup processes and recovery capabilities.\n Support disaster recovery and business continuity planning for critical business and manufacturing systems.\n Assist with identifying technology risks and implementing corrective actions to protect company systems and information.\n Ensure IT and OT systems are appropriately segregated and secured in accordance with established standards.\n Maintain documentation related to security controls, system access, backups, and recovery procedures.\n \n IT Asset Management, Vendors & Budget Support\n \n Maintain accurate records of IT hardware, software, licensing, network equipment, and assigned technology assets.\n Coordinate equipment purchasing, deployment, replacement, maintenance, and disposal.\n Monitor equipment condition, lifecycle requirements, and replacement needs.\n Serve as the primary local contact for external IT service providers, technology vendors, and equipment suppliers.\n Coordinate vendor support activities, service requests, troubleshooting, and project implementation.\n Monitor vendor performance and escalate unresolved service issues when necessary.\n Assist with evaluating technology solutions, equipment, software, and infrastructure improvements.\n Support IT budgeting and planning for hardware, software, licensing, infrastructure, and technical services.\n Coordinate technology-related purchasing and project expenditures in accordance with established approval procedures.\n Maintain documentation of vendor contacts, service agreements, system warranties, and technology assets.\n \n IT Projects, Systems Integration & Continuous Improvement\n \n Plan, coordinate, and execute local IT infrastructure and technology improvement projects.\n Support Group IT initiatives, corporate system rollouts, and technology standardization projects.\n Assist with implementation and integration of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and other enterprise applications.\n Coordinate technology changes involving existing plant systems and newly introduced United Petfood platforms.\n Work with internal departments and external partners to establish project requirements, timelines, and implementation plans.\n Support system testing, deployment, user readiness, and post-implementation troubleshooting.\n Identify opportunities to improve system performance, network reliability, cybersecurity, and employee productivity.\n Recommend technology improvements that support manufacturing efficiency and business operations.\n Develop and maintain IT procedures, technical documentation, and standard operating practices.\n Stay current on emerging technologies, cybersecurity risks, and IT best practices relevant to manufacturing environments.\n Perform other related duties as assigned.\n \n Communication, Collaboration & IT Governance\n \n Report to the Plant Manager regarding local IT priorities, operational support needs, site-level projects, and budget requirements.\n Collaborate with the Group IT Manager to ensure local systems and practices align with global technology standards, cybersecurity requirements, and strategic initiatives.\n Coordinate with the Indiana IT team and other United Petfood locations as needed.\n Maintain effective working relationships with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Warehouse, Quality, People & Engagement, and other departments.\n Communicate system issues, project progress, technology changes, and operational risks to appropriate stakeholders.\n Translate technical information into clear, practical guidance for non-technical employees and leadership.\n Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive employee, customer, and company information.\n Ensure local technology practices comply with established company IT policies and information security requirements.\n \n Required Qualifications\n \n Minimum of five years of experience in IT systems administration, infrastructure support, systems engineering, or IT management.\n Strong hands-on experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and virtualization technologies, including Hyper-V.\n Strong working knowledge of network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, VPN, Wi-Fi, firewalls, switches, routing, and network segmentation.\n Demonstrated ability to install, configure, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot IT hardware, software, servers, and network infrastructure.\n Experience administering user accounts, permissions, security groups, licensing, and endpoint devices.\n Working knowledge of cybersecurity principles, endpoint security, access management, and IT security best practices.\n Experience supporting backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions.\n Experience troubleshooting business applications, system connectivity, and software-related technical issues.\n Experience coordinating with external IT vendors, service providers, and technical support partners.\n Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.\n Ability to independently manage day-to-day IT responsib