IT Application Manager

Job Description

Illuminate USA, located in the heart of Central Ohio, is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,600 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory.

Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels, we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

We are seeking an experienced Application Manager to lead the team responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of our core business applications, including ERP, MES, and WMS systems. This role combines deep business knowledge with broad technical expertise to ensure our application landscape aligns with business objectives and delivers efficient, reliable processes across manufacturing, supply chain, and back-office operations. Reporting directly to the Head of IT, the Application Manager functions as a liaison between IT and the business, sets technical direction, drives complex cross-functional projects, and leads and develops a team of Application Engineers. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership ability, a strategic mindset, and the hands-on technical depth needed to guide solution design and resolve complex system issues in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Management 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Application Engineers, fostering technical growth, collaboration, and a positive, high-performing culture. 

• Set technical direction and make key architecture and solution decisions across ERP, MES, WMS, and related systems. 

• Allocate resources, prioritize workloads, and coordinate team activities to meet business and project commitments. 

• Report on the status of application initiatives to senior management, providing insights and strategic recommendations. 

System Operations and Support 

• Oversee the daily operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting of business applications, ensuring reliable support and uninterrupted business activities. 

• Direct the identification of recurring problems and coordinate the implementation of improvement measures and standards. 

• Establish standards for system data analysis, problem resolution, user permissions, and system parameter management to meet evolving business and regulatory needs. 

• Ensure regular training is delivered to key system users and end-users across the organization. 

Optimization and Project Delivery 

• Direct the collection, analysis, and implementation of system optimizations and upgrades to enhance functionality and user experience. 

• Drive complex application projects from conception to execution, including planning, requirements gathering, process review, system configuration, testing, data migration, and deployment. 

• Foster innovation to develop cutting-edge solutions that provide competitive advantages. 

• Ensure seamless integration and consistent information flow across ERP, MES, WMS, and other enterprise systems. 

• Guide custom application development and system integration efforts, leveraging AI-assisted development tools to accelerate delivery while upholding code quality, security, and maintainability standards. 

Collaboration and Governance 

• Liaise with vendors, IT partners, and stakeholders to maintain system integrity and foster partnerships that support the application infrastructure. 

• Create and maintain system and application documentation, including requirements, processes, procedures, operation manuals, and guidelines. 

• Provide on-call support coverage to business teams and complete other duties as assigned, reflecting the dynamic nature of system operations within a manufacturing environment. 

Leadership and Team Management 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Application Engineers, fostering technical growth, collaboration, and a positive, high-performing culture. 

• Set technical direction and make key architecture and solution decisions across ERP, MES, WMS, and related systems. 

• Allocate resources, prioritize workloads, and coordinate team activities to meet business and project commitments. 

• Report on the status of application initiatives to senior management, providing insights and strategic recommendations. 

System Operations and Support 

• Oversee the daily operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting of business applications, ensuring reliable support and uninterrupted business activities. 

• Direct the identification of recurring problems and coordinate the implementation of improvement measures and standards. 

• Establish standards for system data analysis, problem resolution, user permissions, and system parameter management to meet evolving business and regulatory needs. 

• Ensure regular training is delivered to key system users and end-users across the organization. 

Optimization and Project Delivery 

• Direct the collection, analysis, and implementation of system optimizations and upgrades to enhance functionality and user experience. 

• Drive complex application projects from conception to execution, including planning, requirements gathering, process review, system configuration, testing, data migration, and deployment. 

• Foster innovation to develop cutting-edge solutions that provide competitive advantages. 

• Ensure seamless integration and consistent information flow across ERP, MES, WMS, and other enterprise systems. 

• Guide custom application development and system integration efforts, leveraging AI-assisted development tools to accelerate delivery while upholding code quality, security, and maintainability standards. 

Collaboration and Governance 

• Liaise with vendors, IT partners, and stakeholders to maintain system integrity and foster partnerships that support the application infrastructure. 

• Create and maintain system and application documentation, including requirements, processes, procedures, operation manuals, and guidelines. 

• Provide on-call support coverage to business teams and complete other duties as assigned, reflecting the dynamic nature of system operations within a manufacturing environment. 

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• At least 8 years of experience working with and supporting business applications, including significant experience leading projects, teams, or technical staff. 

• Broad knowledge of enterprise application systems such as ERP, MES, and WMS, including systems analysis, design, and integration between platforms. 

• Demonstrated leadership ability, with experience mentoring engineers and making technical decisions in a cross-functional environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and communicate effectively with both technical teams and business stakeholders. 

• Strong programming and technical skills, with a preference for candidates who exhibit a depth of technical proficiency. 

• Hands-on experience in application development, including designing, building, and deploying custom applications, integrations, and automation to extend and connect enterprise systems. 

• Experience with AI-assisted code development and AI development tools (such as GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Copilot, or similar), with the ability to apply these tools to accelerate delivery while maintaining code quality and security standards. 

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite. 

• Excellent team working skills balanced with the ability to work independently, and a positive attitude. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with Oracle ERP / EBS technology and ERP integration between Oracle and other systems. 

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems and Rockwell FTPC platforms, Java, XML, and Oracle SQL. 

• Familiarity with warehouse management operations and PL/SQL. 

• Prior experience in solar or other high-volume manufacturing environments. 

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.