IT/OT Manager

Vaco
$150,000.00 - $200,000.00 / yr
life insurance, 401(k)
United States, Ohio, Columbus
Mar 12, 2025
Description Our client is the largest manufacturer of hardwood, plywood, and hardwood veneer products. They are seekingan experienced Manager of OT/IT who will lead the development and execution of a unified OT/IT strategy across all operating locations, ensuring alignment with enterprise IT initiatives. Columbia Forest Products is an employee-owned company with comprehensive benefits: Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401K, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance. Job Summary: The Manager of OT (Operational Technology)/IT (Information Technology) Convergence will lead the development and execution of a unified OT/IT strategy across all operating locations, ensuring alignment with enterprise IT initiatives. This role will bridge the gap between OT and IT, standardizing systems, reducing risk while enhancing security, and supporting the continuous improvement of operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of information technology best practices with hands on experience in infrastructure & networking. They will possess knowledge of industrial control systems, automation technologies, IT/OT convergence, coupled with strong leadership and change management skills. This position reports directly to CIO. Key Responsibilities: Strategic IT Leadership Develop and implement a common OT strategy that aligns with enterprise IT and business objectives. Identify opportunities for technology-driven innovation and improvement. Prepare the organization for future technological advancements and challenges, including our digital transformation initiatives. Build and mentor a high-performing OT team, fostering cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing. Infrastructure Management Inventory, catalog, and define risk framework around current state OT footprint. Identify and deploy standardized OT solutions across all operating locations to improve efficiency, security, and interoperability. Work closely with IT leadership to integrate OT systems with corporate IT infrastructure while ensuring security, compliance, and performance. Cybersecurity and Compliance Establish and maintain OT cybersecurity policies, ensuring robust protection of industrial control systems and compliance with industry regulations. Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. Participiate in the selection and management of OT vendors and service providers. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Develop and implement business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure the company can respond to and recover from disruptions. Ensure top risks are appropriately mitigated and well understood by all stakeholders. Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to ensure OT initiatives support business needs and drive continuous improvement. Manage relationships with key OT solution providers, ensuring effective service delivery and alignment with strategic goals. Communicate the value and impact of OT/IT initiatives. Digital Transformation Drive digital transformation efforts to improve business processes, decision-making, and operational efficiency. Implement technologies that provide accurate and efficient information flow and presentation. Assess emerging technologies and trends in OT, making recommendations for improvements and investments that enhance operational performance. Qualifications: Experience 10+ years of experience in information / operational technology with at least 5 years in a leadership role. In depth understanding of experience if cyber security, networking, and modern IT infrastructure practices (virtualization, cloud, etc....) Strong leadership and change management experience in complex, multi-site organizations. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and drive alignment across diverse teams. Experience leading IT/OT convergence initiatives, integrating industrial systems with enterprise IT. In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity standards (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443) and best practices. Understanding of industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, PLCs, IIoT, and manufacturing execution systems (MES). Experience working in manufacturing or other industrial environments preferred. About company: 2,200 employees 11 facilities (USA and Canada) Sells: ESOP, each employee gets 15% of their salary contributed every year and is fully vested after 3 years. Great tenure The company will help folks move around to other areas,not pigeon-holed career wise Salary: The hiring manager is unsure what this person will cost, we need to help them establish what is market rate through our sourcing efforts. Vaco values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco's HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.