Manufacturing Execution System Lead

Job Title: MES / QMS Technical Lead Location: Elkton, MD (Hybrid, 3 days Onsite a week) Duration: 6-12+ Months Contract to Hire Job Description: Focused on creating a technology roadmap, influencing new technologies, addressing risks (especially aging IT systems), and supporting system replacements (ERP with SAP, QMS, MES, shop floor systems, data estate). Collaborate with Enterprise Architects to understand the needs of the Specialties OpCo, and work closely with other IT teams to ensure reliability and security of apps and infrastructure estates Lead tech evaluations and implementations of new systems specific to e-Commerce, QMS, document management, and new business lines Strong QMS, MES, shop floor experience/understanding Technical breadth across applications, cloud-based infrastructure, and business process integration is valued. Experience w/ technology, solution and/or data architecture (NOT LOOKING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE/SECURITY ARCHITECT) Business Solution Architecture experience We are seeking a hands-on Technical Lead / Senior Solution Architect for the Specialty OpCo’s. This role is responsible for developing technology solutions and optimizing system performance and reliability for the Specialty businesses. They will collaborate with various teams to build technology and data roadmaps, ensure system administration and maintenance, and lead technical evaluations and implementations for new systems. Additionally, they will work closely with IT and business teams to align technology systems with business goals and improve customer-facing relationships. Responsibilities: Solution Architecture & Optimization: Develop the Specialty business context for technology solutions and determine the necessary mainstream and emerging technologies to support future operations. Provide guidance for Specialty’s business-aligned IT roadmap. Data Architecture: Collaborate with Data & Analytics teams to strategize, architect and mature our digital capabilities. Build a data architecture roadmap fueled by the organization's data strategy. System Performance & Reliability: Ensure optimal performance and high availability of internal and external systems by proactively monitoring and addressing incidents and risks. System Administration & Maintenance: Collaborate with technical analysts on primary support. Perform backup support and base level administration activities to maintain identified Specialty applications. Core Systems Implementation & Operations: Collaborate with IT teams and advocate Specialty’s architecture position on core systems and the integrations that enable scalable design with stable, efficient operations. Core systems include ERP, MES, CRM, QMS. Specialty specific systems: Lead technical evaluations and implementations for new systems as well as major business capability changes in areas critical to Specialty. These areas may include e-Commerce, Quality Management, new business lines, new plants or markets. IT Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other IT teams to ensure reliability and security of the application and infrastructure estate, addressing issues proactively while maintaining best practices. Business Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing, supply chain, quality, sales, and marketing teams to align technology systems with business goals, improving customer-facing relationships, knowledge and service levels. Requirements: Minimum of 5 years of experience in IT roles that regularly required influencing and advocating strategic technology decisions with leaders. Proven ability to identify and successfully deploy new IT technologies and processes in a medium to large IT organization. Experience with technology, solution and/or data architecture. Experience in translating strategic business goals and functional requirements into technical requirements. Demonstrated hands-on experience as a technical analyst solving complex application problems, configuring or developing solutions. Deep expertise in one of the following in a technical role: ERP, MES, QMS. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field. Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead cross-functional project teams and work hands-on with technical challenges. Soft Skills: Excellent communication, leadership, change management, and problem-solving abilities. Preferred Skills: Expertise in two or more of the following in a technical role: ERP, MES, QMS, QC labs, CRM, e-Commerce. Experience with implementing SAP or MES. Understanding of manufacturing/shop floor systems, supply chain optimization, logistics technologies, quality systems in a regulated environment. Experience managing global operations. Familiarity with global data privacy and security regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).