Information Technology Director

PCC Airfoils manufactures complex highly technical investment castings

Current aerospace trends have placed a premium on engine performance and fuel efficiency; and, since performance and fuel efficiency both increase as the gas temperature inside the engine increases - this has created a need for complex aerodynamic turbine airfoils that operate at higher service temperatures.

Hot section airfoils must be able to maintain their structural integrity in an environment of extreme temperatures and corrosive gases. Their manufacture requires the use of special super alloys that are resistant to high temperature, oxidation, corrosion, and stress levels. The complex shapes required of these components can be achieved only with advanced investment casting technology. The dimensional control must be precise.

Demand for such airfoils has led to two advances on the grain structure of airfoil castings: directionally solidified (DS) and single crystal casting. Both advances are attempts to increase the high-temperature threshold of airfoil applications by altering the grain structure of the metal. (Grain boundaries are the weak link in cast parts.)

DS blades and vanes are solidified in a way that essentially orients all grain boundaries in the alloy in a single direction. As a result of this longitudinal grain alignment, both ductility and resistance to thermal fatigue is improved. Thus enhancing component life for our customers.

Single crystal castings eliminate grain boundaries altogether, as parts are produced that consist of a single crystal. The current method employed to produce these castings requires the most stringent control of the solidification cycle and the entire investment casting process.

PCC Airfoils, a leading producer of these components, has developed highly automated casting furnaces and investment casting processes for the manufacture of blades and vanes. Significant process development at PCC Airfoils with ceramic cores, solidification technology, computer modeling and inspection methods assures our continued strength in this market. PCC Airfoils, LLC consists of multiple manufacturing sites in the United States, Mexico, and England.

Position Summary:

The role of the Information Technology Director within the PCC Airfoils Division reports directly to the Vice President of Finance. In this capacity, the Director is responsible for directing, planning, developing, and implementing professional, effective, and efficient information systems and procedures across all business units. Additionally, the Director oversees the performance and professional development of a highly skilled internal IT staff as well as external resources.

Essential Functions:

• Direct the maintenance of the company-wide Information Technology platform while ensuring compliance with SOX and Corporate policies.
• Ensure the high performance and availability of the Information Technology platforms.
• Develop an Information Technology strategy in support of, and that is directly aligned with, the broader PCC Airfoils strategic plan.
• Ensure that ERP initiatives meet business needs. Regularly work with senior leadership to implement change management, project planning, resource allocation, steering committee leadership and team organizational structure.
• Directly manage a team of technical resources at the Division level.
• Communicate the IT department projects to the balance of the organization to ensure appropriate prioritization.
• Manage the performance and professional development of the IT departments across the Division.
• Build strong relationships with vendors for support, maintenance and resolution of problems and operational issues.
• Manage a budgetary process for the IT departments which is aligned with the company’s strategic plan including operational expenses, capital expenditures and department staffing.
• Extensive stakeholder collaboration with management teams at the Division and Corporate levels.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by operating and communicating in a professional and respectful manner with company employees, customers and business associates.

Required Skills:

• Ability to analyze and understand business requirements along with technical design and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance to senior management as well as internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate project status and key issues to be resolved with recommendations for resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent supervisory and team-building skills.
• Ability to create and manage budgets successfully.
• Demonstrated ability to drive project governance with a clear understanding of project teams, steering committees and executive sponsors.
• Manage project tasks, milestones and deliverables, including data conversions, interfaces, reporting standards/formats, process mapping, testing, workforce readiness, organizational change management, implementation and post-implementation stabilization.
• Strong time management and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities.
• Adaptable to new technologies with the business acumen to evaluate and assess new applications and processes and contribute to the long-term improvement of business systems within the organization.
• Understanding of cyber security trends and their impact on business continuity.
• Proven experience of taking initiative and having a strong sense of urgency along with critical thinking skills.

Experience & Education

• At least 10-12 year of technical IT experience including at least three years of management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience managing a large IT organization in a strong compliance environment.
• Experience managing disaster recovery planning, documentation and test execution.
• ERP and related business systems experience in a manufacturing environment.