Director, IT – Enterprise Applications

Make a difference. Have voice. Work hard and love what you do!

As the Director of IT, Enterprise Applications , based out of Chicago, IL, you will coordinate the development of information systems activities and services, and lead the information systems team by helping to define the strategic direction of company information systems, related architecture and processes. You will partner with senior leadership and field teams to gain a deep understanding of each team’s key information system needs and related workflows. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who thrives in a dynamic, demanding, and rapidly changing environment and who is adept at defining, refining, and executing a strategic roadmap for the company’s information systems and ensuring information systems are aligned with business objectives to grow revenue, deliver the highest client service levels and drive operating efficiencies.

James Hardie Building Products employs over 2,500 (2,200+ in U.S.) people who generate revenue of $1.9 billion a year. James Hardie Industries is a publicly traded company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ticker: JHX.AX) and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: JHX). We have 9 manufacturing plants located across the USA and corporate offices in Chicago, Illinois and Orange County, California.

To be considered for this position, you must have:
An undergraduate degree in or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related field (advanced degree, such as an MBA, is desirable)

7+​ years of SAP experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment, preferably in the last 1-3 years v ECC6

7+​ years of team leadership

Advanced knowledge of project management or building system solutions and/​or business applications.​

Very strong writing, negotiation and presentation skills.​

Collaborative, customer-focused and able to create visible value.​​

Desired qualifications

A change agent who has lead successful and professional teams in a manufacturing environment.

A seasoned Information Technology executive with a minimum of 15 years of IS leadership experience and extensive experience and expertise in information systems;

Demonstrated use of innovation in how information technology can support business and customer needs with proven experience in providing strategic and measurable contribution to business results;

Technically current, a key thrust of this individual will be to lead/manage the technical, operational and application efforts of the information systems function in support of the company’s various businesses in a highly competitive and information-driven industry.

Must be an effective advocate of the use of technology through sharing, defending and promoting his or her views and thoughts with the leadership at James Hardie, and presenting information in a highly credible manner to clients, stakeholders and employees;

Possesses a compelling desire to excel in applying information systems to help James Hardie meet its goals and objectives and to compete successfully and cost effectively in today’s highly competitive marketplace;

Strong interpersonal communication and relational skills with executive presence and proven ability to lead, inspire, mentor, develop and guide a team of senior professionals;

Extensive executive management experience including dealing with budget, vendors, and helping create a positive work environment.

Must be willing and able to “roll up the sleeves.”

Unquestionable integrity, credibility and character who has demonstrated high moral and ethical behavior.

Responsibilities

Leadership and management

Accountable for providing senior level technical direction and oversight to application teams during complete life cycle development of projects to ensure the delivery of applications that meet the accepted industry benchmarks for software quality.

Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the business.

Establish IT departmental goals, objectives, and operating procedures.

Ensure staff is allocated to support business functions, trained to perform the responsibilities and are not single-threaded. Forecast, monitor and address demand and capacity management.

Ensure staff are engaged actively and are productive through project and operational work and that communication channels are open to engage with necessary domains in the most productive fashion.

Provide continuous, timely and relevant fact-based feedback to staff.

Monitor and hold staff accountable to resolve and manage conflict in the most efficient and a timely manner.

Provide effective operations and program management

Work with business to develop business cases that help justify and prioritize initiatives while adhering to overall business plan. Define requirements, goals & objectives, critical success factors, project barriers, resources etc with the ultimate goal of delivering the correct solution.

Ensure for all responsible projects that actual costs, implementation time, and benefits received are accurately assessed and reported. Actively support and participate with the PMO team and ensures the portfolio is managed accordingly. Monitors the progress of projects related to the goals stipulated in the project work plans. Takes a leadership role in resolving problems that impede the progress of the implementation.

Prepare written documentation such as process flowcharts and narratives that define systems, problems, and solutions designed to enhance or resolve business situations

Interview end-users to understand and document business functional requirements

Translate end-user requirements into detailed program specifications that are provided to programmers (both internal and external) for systems development

Lead and direct team to create unit and linkage test plans that ensure programs meet systems requirements

Ensure work with end-users is completed to develop, document, and execute systems test plans to ensure programs meet systems requirements

Prepare and maintain operating and capital budgets for assigned departments. Working with finance and accounting, review variances and document in an appropriate format to support monthly forecasting.

Lead efforts to deliver IT applications to the business community by leveraging resources, and third party relationships

Manage third party relationships, including, but not limited to, contract negotiations, delivery of agreed upon service levels, periodic service reviews and information sharing with the goal of maintaining a cohesive partnership.

Plan, monitor and prepare to forecast and renew all contracts in working with relevant groups within the organization, including legal to meet contractual obligations in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

Assess and communicate risks associated with IT investments.

Provide technical leadership and deliver operational excellence.

Program Management must include ability to drive and facilitate alignment of SAP programs and projects with priorities and strategic direction.

Ensure the team & processes are in place to effectively support the SAP application across a multi-site, multi-billion dollar manufacturing operation. Create a culture of continuous improvement of the SAP operations.

Continue to enhance regular SAP operating metrics, identify actions to improve & develop stakeholder communication plans. A key measure of success of the role is improvement in SAP operational excellence measures.

Requires capability to manage multiple and concurrent projects spread across multiple SAP programs.

Identify additional Operational Excellence improvement projects, agree a priority with business stakeholders and manage the SAP team to deliver identified benefits.

Responsible for execution and governance:
Provide expert counsel and guidance to senior management on information systems and its impact across the full range of business strategy, programs, products and services, and operational issues. Forge strong relationship with key business leaders across the Company.

Establish IT and data governance practices, policies, and procedures, including development of an IT steering group.

Leads the efforts to develop and maintain the information systems roadmap, including as strategy for the architecture across the span of enterprise applications and platforms to ensure business goals are met in the most efficient manner-cost, time and resources

Develop short- and long-term plans in alignment with and support for the Company’s strategies and goals, business plans, opportunities, products, and operating requirements and efficiencies; seek funding for technology driven initiatives that have strategic value and attractive rates of return; conduct ongoing strategic sourcing to identify the most cost effective, efficient and appropriate utilization of internal, contracted and outsourced functions including systems, operations, maintenance and support.

Responsible for leading a phase gate review process in the application development life cycle to engage with business and various IT partner teams to ensure the product developed meets the documented business criteria and quality specifications.

James Hardie Building Products is a dynamic, driven, and entrepreneurial type of manufacturing company that values their employees and believes in their careers. Your growth is our growth. We’re always looking for ambitious self-starters, who are thoughtful, creative and motivated to succeed.

What’s next?

“Come home to Hardie” and apply now !

James Hardie is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, among other things, or as a qualified individual with a disability. Equal Employment Opportunity is the law.