Manager of Business Applications (QAD ERP Focus)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Manager of Business Applications with strong expertise in QAD ERP to lead and optimize our client's business systems. This individual will oversee the implementation, support, and enhancement of business applications across the organization, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate will serve as a key liaison between IT, business units, and third-party vendors, with a strong focus on manufacturing, supply chain, and finance modules within QAD.

Job Functions:

• Lead the management and continuous improvement of business applications, with primary responsibility over the QAD ERP system.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into scalable system solutions.
• Oversee application development, integration, and configuration to support business operations.
• Drive QAD upgrades, module implementations, and enhancement projects.
• Develop and manage a team of application analysts and developers.
• Ensure application integrity, security, and performance across platforms.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors, consultants, and QAD support.
• Monitor, measure, and report on KPIs for business application performance and support.
• Define and enforce governance around system usage, change management, and documentation standards.
• Identify and lead process improvement opportunities leveraging QAD and other business systems.
• Manage relationships with external vendors providing support and development for QAD and other relevant business applications.
• Coach and train other IT team members to be able to provide first and second level QAD support and resolve problems to the end user’s satisfaction.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with Quality System procedures and company policies.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, business management, engineering or an analytical discipline is essential.
• 5+ years leadership experience, including development, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise applications.
• 5+ years experience in information systems.
• Ability to make sound decisions and solve complex business and technical issues.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of management and thrive in a cross-functional environment.
• Experience working in a corporate and/or manufacturing environment supporting Microsoft Technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers.
• Strong analytical capabilities, planning, organizational, and time management skills with attention to detail and follow through.
• Maturity and ability to work independently and with a team in a dynamic project environment.
• Ability to solve complex problems and drive projects from concept to conclusion; work independently, manage multiple tasks, and set and reset priorities with direction or feedback from management and teammates.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Interpreting and applying rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Flexibility to work in a fast paced, and high-pressure environment interacting with cross functional teams.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• Must be able to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).