Director, Information Technology

Role Overview

The Director of Information Technology (IT) plays a critical role in overseeing the IT department and its technical operations within ODC, which includes leading the technology side of the company's artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, governance, and responsible-use efforts. This position requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership abilities, and expertise in various IT technical domains. The ideal candidate will excel in the delivery of IT Technical Services including support of IT and OT networks, help desk functions and enterprise-wide cyber security. The successful candidate will be a strong business partner in AI enablement and governance, will possess strong IT project management abilities and will be able to lead Oil-Dri’s efforts in cybersecurity. The candidate will also possess technical expertise in both OT (operations technology) and IT (information technology) networks, will lead ITGCs (Information Technology General Controls) for this publicly-traded company, and most importantly, will be able to lead and develop the IT team at Oil-Dri. One of our core beliefs is that “winning at Oil-Dri is a team game,” therefore, the successful candidate must be excellent at partnering with the business.

Hybrid role based out of the Chicago office. Monday - Wednesday onsite required

Regular in-person attendance consistent with the Company's established work schedule is an essential function of this position to facilitate effective collaboration, communication, and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy and Planning:

• Identify the organization’s information and operations technology needs and align them with business objectives.
• Develop and update, as needed, a rolling 5-year technology roadmap to support Oil-Dri’s business strategies.
• Make recommendations to senior management regarding technology investments, upgrades, and enhancements. Ensure that these recommendations are aligned with the strategy of business, provide appropriate returns on investment or defend the organization’s ability to achieve its business plans. The successful candidate will be adept at using data and analysis to support the recommendations.

Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Governance:

• Partner with the Enterprise AI Guru to lead the development and execution of the company's enterprise AI strategy and roadmap, aligning AI investments and use cases with business priorities, innovation goals, and risk tolerance.  Identify and train the organization on the proper tools to use to support AI initiatives.
• Own and maintain company policies, standards, and procedures governing AI and generative AI, including responsible use, data protection, human oversight, transparency, and acceptable-use requirements.
• Establish and lead the company's AI governance framework in partnership with Cybersecurity, Legal, Human Resources, Internal Audit & Compliance, and business leaders.
• Oversee the intake, risk assessment, approval, provisioning, monitoring, and retirement of AI tools and use cases, including maintaining an approved-tools register and appropriate technical safeguards.
• Evaluate AI opportunities across corporate, manufacturing, and operational environments, balancing productivity and innovation with cybersecurity, intellectual property, privacy, safety, and regulatory considerations.
• Define requirements for human review and accountability for AI-generated content, code, recommendations, automated decisions, and agentic or autonomous capabilities.
• Lead AI awareness, training, and change-management efforts so teammates understand approved tools, appropriate use, data-handling expectations, and their responsibility for AI-assisted work.
• Monitor AI-related risks, incidents, adoption, vendor capabilities, and emerging technologies; report material developments and recommendations to senior leadership and appropriate governance committees.

Cybersecurity and Risk Management:

• Evaluate the company’s adherence to standard technology requirements for security.
• Implement robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard data, networks, and systems.
• Stay informed about emerging threats and industry best practices.
• Define and manage ODC Cybersecurity Plan and threats.

Planning and Project Management:

• Lead and oversee IT infrastructure projects from initiation to completion.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources effectively.

Production Support:

• Lead and oversee IT Tech Services team to deliver reliable IT/OT production environment support in a 24/7/365 environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners, especially Operations, to determine the best times for production outages necessary to support and upgrade the environment.
• Lead robust root cause analysis for downtime events and ensure that sustainable, well-documented solutions are implemented.

Operational Technology (OT) Networks:

• Possess technical knowledge in researching, planning, and managing various OT projects.
• Understand industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA systems.
• Ensure seamless integration of OT systems with IT infrastructure.

IT Audit and Compliance:

• Conduct regular audits of IT processes, systems, and controls.
• Assess outcomes and recommend improvements.
• Maintain compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and mentor the IT team, including security analysts, support technicians for networks and the help desk as well as third-party service providers.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Communicate job expectations, provide coaching, and conduct performance appraisals.
• Translate IT needs/considerations in a non-technical manner ensuring leadership and teammates are aware of concerns and impact.
• Provide periodic updates to the Board of Directors

Budget Leadership:

• Develop the IT Technical Services budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and continuous improvement in cost position
• Partner with Indirect Procurement to negotiate vendor contracts for service providers
• Allocate resources appropriately to achieve strategic goals.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years working in IT operations, supervising technology infrastructure teams, and overseeing information technology projects.
• Experience in integrating acquired businesses and working within a high-growth organization.

Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of IT General Controls and proper audit processes.
• Deep experience in sustainable problem-solving
• Strong knowledge of ICS, SCADA systems, and third-party vendor management.
• Excellent understanding of computer systems, security, cyber security, disaster recovery, business continuity, network administration, and databases. Knowledge of Microsoft 365 products and Oracle’s JDEdwards platform is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise AI strategy, AI governance, responsible-use policies, vendor and tool evaluation, risk assessment, and cross-functional adoption initiatives.
• Proven ability to maintain confidential information and work under pressure.
• Project management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to grow into a Chief Information Officer.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive pay ($175,000 - $295,000) + annual bonus
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• Paid parental leave, generous PTO, & paid holidays
• Work-life balance
• Career growth with exposure to senior leadership.
• Annual merit increase opportunity
• Fitness & Gym Reimbursement
• Employer Contribution - Health, Dental

About Us

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for consumer and business-to-business markets that has been voted as a Top 100 workplaces in the Chicago Tribune. Oil-Dri’s products are sold in the pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agricultural, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri controls millions of tons of specialty mineral reserves, including calcium bentonite, attapulgite, and diatomaceous shale. The company’s mines and manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, and California. Oil-Dri is a family-controlled and operated organization that emphasizes honesty, integrity, and accountability. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to Create Value From Sorbent Minerals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Oil-Dri is committed to providing equal opportunity for all teammates and qualified candidates without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Accordingly, all employment decisions and personnel actions or programs such as hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, transfers, reductions in workforce, and training, etc. will be consistent with the principle of equal employment opportunity.