Senior IT Solutions Manager - Operations

At Bel, we are not just a company—we are a company on a Mission, built on 160 years of bold innovation, family values, and a commitment to social purpose. With beloved brands like Babybel®, GoGo squeeZ®, The Laughing Cow®, and Boursin®, our snacking solutions bring more than joy; they want to serve as a force for good. Our U.S. Mission? To help close the critical 80% nutrition gap by making it easier for Americans to eat more fruits, veggies, and dairy as part of their daily lives.

The company has headquarters in Chicago and New York City and operates 4 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID.  #IWorkForAllForGood

Job Description Summary

Reporting directly to the Vice President of IT, the IT Sr Solutions Manager – Operations (NorAm) plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering IT solutions that drive operational excellence. This dynamic position focuses on designing, managing, and optimizing IT systems and processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and functionality across Purchasing, Supply Chain and Manufacturing operations.

The Solution Manager will work in close partnership with NorAm Purchasing, Supply Chain and Operations leaders while collaborating with global and Local IT Operations teams. As a strategic partner, this role ensures alignment between technological initiatives and business goals and actively supports data-driven decision-making to deliver impactful results. This is a #hybrid role based in Chicago.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partner – optimizing IT systems and processes across Supply Chain, Purchasing and Operations

• • Provides strategic guidance to optimize IT systems and processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational efficiency.
  • Collaborate closely with Supply Chain, Purchasing and Operations stakeholders to anticipate technological needs, identify challenges, and implement solutions that enhance and streamline business processes.
  • Proactively evaluates emerging technologies and industry trends, assessing their potential value and recommending data-driven, strategic initiatives to strengthen the organization’s competitive edge.
• Application Management – responsible for end-to-end operation’s technology solutions
  • Operational Support and Adoption: Serve as the primary point of contact for Purchasing, Supply Chain and Operations teams, providing comprehensive support and fostering seamless adoption of IT solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. Guide cross-functional teams in maximizing the value of IT solutions through training, communication, and hands-on collaboration.
  • System Performance and Reliability: Ensure stable and reliable IT systems under their responsibility by continuously monitoring performance, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions to resolve issues proactively. Maintain a high level of data accuracy and system functionality to meet business and operational needs.
  • Global Project Engagement: Actively participate in global initiatives affecting Operations, ensuring alignment between regional needs and group-level IT systems. Identify opportunities to leverage and customize existing global IT solutions for regional implementation while ensuring business continuity.
  • Project Portfolio Management: Oversee a comprehensive portfolio of IT and operations projects, ensuring alignment with organizational governance processes and strategic objectives. Evaluate project priorities, perform risk assessments, and deliver results in line with deadlines.
  • Implementation and Maintenance of IT Solutions: Lead the full lifecycle of IT solution implementation, including planning, configuration, and ongoing maintenance, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Collaborate with stakeholders to continuously enhance system capabilities and address emerging business needs.
• Vendor Performance and Relationship Management:
• Oversee vendor relationships by managing performance, monitoring service-level agreements (SLAs), and ensuring partners consistently deliver on contractual obligations.
• Lead contract negotiations with vendors to secure favorable terms, balancing cost efficiency with the need for high-quality IT solutions and services.
• Act as the primary point of escalation for vendor-related issues, driving swift resolution to minimize disruptions to operations.

Qualifications and Skills

Education