At KI, we believe knowing our customers helps us serve them better. We listen. We observe. We understand that each customer has unique needs. So, we pride ourselves on helping our customers make smart furniture decisions by offering expert advice, design options and personalized solutions. Since 1941, we’ve positioned KI as the furniture company that best understands the furniture industry and is committed to providing customers with the smart solutions. By targeting specific markets with solutions for business furniture, university furniture, educational furniture, healthcare furniture and government furniture, we can quickly respond to our customers’ unique needs – including the choice to procure furniture according to what fits their ordering and fulfillment process. That’s why we say we offer far more than furniture. We’re Furnishing Knowledge.
Join the KI team as an IT Business Solutions Manager based out of our Green Bay Corporate Office.
Every KI product starts as an idea, and the technology that carries it from concept to the shop floor is yours to shape. This is your chance to sit at the intersection of technology and the products that define KI. As IT's primary strategic partner to Engineering, Product Development, and CET, you'll shape how KI designs, engineers, configures, and delivers its products, from the earliest concept to the dealer's design to the shop floor. You'll own the roadmap, lead a team of talented business analysts, and bring AI and automation into the heart of how KI builds what it sells. If you're a forward-thinking leader who wants to be a true business partner who is motivated to help take IT and KI into the future, this is your opportunity.
Why This Role Matters
- Be IT's Strategic Partner to the Business - Serve as the trusted technology advisor to Engineering, Product Development, and CET, building relationships from frontline users to executives and making decisions together, as one team.
- Shape How KI Products Come to Life - Own the technology behind how KI designs, engineers, and configures its products, from PLM, CAD, and product data through the CET environment our dealers and designers rely on every day.
- Bring AI and Automation to the Front Line - Identify and champion AI, design automation, and emerging technology opportunities that reduce engineering effort, shorten lead times, and help KI bring new products to market faster.
- Help Lead KI's ERP Transformation - Be the IT voice of Engineering and CET in one of KI's most significant initiatives, championing simplification and standardization that will position the business for years to come.
- Turn Technology into Measurable Value - Build business cases, own the roadmap and backlog, and track the real results every initiative delivers, so technology investments clearly move the business forward.
- Build a Forward-Thinking Team - Lead and develop business analysts who anticipate needs, challenge the status quo, and grow into the next generation of business partners and product owners.
- Grow Your Career and Your Influence - Step into a highly visible role with direct exposure to senior leaders and a path toward broader IT leadership as KI's technology landscape evolves.
What You'll Do
- Serve as IT's primary point of contact and strategic partner for Engineering, Product Development, and CET.
- Develop a technology strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with KI's enterprise IT strategy, and lead joint prioritization with business leaders.
- Own the technology roadmap for KI's CET environment and product content so dealers and designers can accurately specify, configure, and price KI products.
- Partner on PLM, CAD, PDM, and engineering change management across the full product lifecycle, from concept through launch and end of life.
- Strengthen product data and configuration rules so configure-to-order products flow accurately from specification to bill of materials to the shop floor.
- Own the functional backlog and serve as product owner for key platforms, applying agile practices to deliver value faster.
- Manage a portfolio of projects and enhancements and measure the business value they deliver.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of business analysts and senior business analysts.
- Represent Engineering and CET on KI's ERP program, supporting change management, testing, and adoption through go-live and beyond.
- Manage key software vendor relationships and collaborate across IT on architecture, data, AI, security, and quality.
What You'll Need to Succeed
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- 8+ years of progressive IT experience in business relationship management, product ownership, business analysis, or IT portfolio management, including 3+ years partnering directly with functional leaders.
- 2+ years leading or formally mentoring business analysts or similar professionals.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships with business leaders and turn their goals into technology roadmaps and prioritized work.
- Experience owning and prioritizing a backlog as a product owner using agile or hybrid delivery methods.
- A track record of delivering projects on time and on budget and measuring the value they create.
- Experience with enterprise application implementations, ideally ERP, including requirements, testing, and change management.
- Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to explain technology in business terms at every level.
- A curious, forward-thinking mindset and genuine enthusiasm for applying AI and emerging technologies to real business problems.
- Experience in configure-to-order manufacturing, with PLM, CAD, PDM, or Configura CET, and certifications such as BRMP, CSPO/PSPO, or PMP are preferred.
Why KI?
At KI, you're more than an employee, you're an owner. As a 100% employee-owned company, every team member shares in our success and has the opportunity to influence the future of the business.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
- On-site fitness center and wellness resources
- On-site café
- Educational reimbursement
- Employee product discounts
- Comprehensive benefits package, including life insurance, disability coverage, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
KI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, Engineering, or a related field
- 8+ years of progressive IT experience in business relationship management, product ownership, business analysis, or IT portfolio management
- 3+ years partnering directly with functional leaders
- 2+ years leading or formally mentoring business analysts or similar professionals
- Experience building relationships with business leaders and translating goals into technology roadmaps and prioritized work
- Experience owning and prioritizing a product backlog using agile or hybrid delivery methods
- Track record of delivering projects on time and on budget and measuring business value
- Experience with enterprise application implementations, ideally ERP, including requirements, testing, and change management
- Strong communication and facilitation skills, including explaining technology in business terms
- Experience applying AI and emerging technologies to business problems
- Experience in configure-to-order manufacturing with PLM, CAD, PDM, or Configura CET
- BRMP, CSPO, PSPO, or PMP certification
What We Do
KI (Krueger International, Inc.) is an employee-owned contract furniture manufacturer headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It designs and manufactures adaptable furniture and related service solutions for education, healthcare, government, and corporate environments. Its offerings include seating, desks, tables, casegoods, architectural walls, workspace systems, library and dormitory furniture, and accessories, supported by a customer-focused procurement and fulfillment approach.
