Tech Jobs in Manchester, IA (NOW HIRING)

Join the winning team at Innovative Ag Services! IAS is hiring a Information Technology Director. This is a key role and essential to the success of Innovative Ag Services.

Innovative Ag Services is a full service farm cooperative offering a complete line of supplies and services to meet all of your farm needs. We provide value-added products and services to over 5,000 members in the grain, agronomy, feed, energy and building supply markets. Our 30 locations are located throughout northeast and central Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. IAS ranks as one of the Top Agricultural Cooperatives in Iowa.

Role Summary: The Director of Information Technology is a hands-on leader responsible for the design, delivery, security, and continuous improvement of the organization’s technology environment. This role blends strategy with execution, ensuring reliable day-to-day IT operations while modernizing systems to support growth, data-driven decision making, and operational efficiency.

A key near-term focus of this role will be supporting the organization through a major ERP transition, followed by stabilization, optimization, and enablement of business insights once the system is live (target go-live: September 2026).

The ideal candidate is a player-coach, someone who can lead a team, partner with the business, and personally engage in technical problem-solving when needed.

Primary Responsibilities:

Technology Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute an IT roadmap aligned with business goals, growth plans, and operational priorities
• Lead technology decisions that balance reliability, security, scalability, and cost-effectiveness
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on technology risks, investments, and opportunities

ERP & Core Systems

• Support ERP implementation activities through go-live and post-implementation optimization
• Own system administration, integrations, reporting, and ongoing ERP enhancements
• Partner with vendors and internal stakeholders to improve usability, automation, and data access

IT Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee and actively support:
  • Network and systems administration
  • Identity and access management
  • Backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning
  • End-user computing and support
• Optimize the current infrastructure and design solutions that scale with future growth
• Maintain a secure, resilient, and well-documented IT environment

Security & Risk Management

• Lead cybersecurity practices including access controls, firewall management, monitoring, and incident response
• Maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external requirements

Data, Reporting & Insights

• Enable the business with timely, accurate, and accessible data
• Support or implement data visualization and reporting tools
• Improve data flow across systems to support operational and financial decision-making

Automation & Innovation

• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive workflows using:
  • Low-code/no-code tools
  • Integrations and APIs
  • Software agents or AI-enabled solutions
• Partner with software providers to implement efficiency-enhancing tools
• Promote practical adoption of emerging technologies where they deliver real business value

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and support IT staff across all areas of operations
• Establish clear service delivery expectations, documentation, and procedures
• Develop and deliver end-user training to improve adoption and reduce friction

Financial & Vendor Management

• Develop and manage the IT budget
• Evaluate and manage vendor relationships and contracts
• Ensure technology investments deliver measurable value

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive IT experience across infrastructure, systems, security, and applications
• Proven experience with ERP systems and enterprise applications
• Strong hands-on background in IT operations and system administration
• Experience managing and leading IT teams
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Experience

• Experience with:
  • Data visualization and reporting tools
  • Business process automation and workflow optimization
  • AI-enabled tools or software agents in operational environments
• Experience working closely with software vendors and implementation partners
• Background in Microsoft-based environments (Active Directory, Azure/Entra, Microsoft 365)
• Networking, firewall (Cisco/Meraki), and security administration experience

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion
• Ability to bend, reach, and perform repetitive tasks as required
• Comfortable working in agricultural and industrial environments, including exposure to seasonal weather and outdoor conditions