Vice President of Technology

Select Milk Producers, Inc.                                   

Job Title: VP of Technology

Department: Internal Services
Reports To: General Counsel
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Dallas, TX
Travel: ~20%

About the Role

The VP of Technology is accountable for enterprise technology strategy, governance and performance across Select Milk Producers. The role sets company-wide direction for systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data, aligning technology priorities and investments with business operations while ensuring secure, reliable services and responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including AI.

This executive leadership role combines enterprise strategy and hands-on oversight with operational discipline, cross-functional partnership and risk management. The VP works with business and technology leaders to establish common priorities, strengthen capabilities and lead a phased organizational transition while maintaining system reliability and business continuity in a multi-site manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Technology Strategy, Governance & Execution

• Establish and lead Select Milk Producers' enterprise technology strategy and roadmap across corporate, plant and supply chain environments.
• Translate business priorities into a coordinated portfolio of technology initiatives, investment recommendations, timelines and measurable deliverables.
• Serve as the senior technology leader and point of accountability for enterprise technology performance, availability and service quality within approved decision authority.
• Partner with business leaders to evaluate and deploy emerging technologies, including AI‑enabled solutions, where they provide clear operational, efficiency, or decision‑making value.

Enterprise Systems & Digital Enablement

• Oversee enterprise applications supporting finance, supply chain, logistics, human resources, quality, and operations.
• Provide executive leadership for ERP, MES, data and infrastructure initiatives, including prioritization, governance, integration and modernization.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage data analytics, automation, and AI‑enabled solutions to improve forecasting, reliability, operational efficiency, and business insights.
• Partner with business leaders to ensure digital tools are practical, well‑governed, and aligned with operational needs.

Manufacturing & Operational Technology Support

• Work closely with plant leadership, engineering, and operations teams to support manufacturing systems and operational technology.
• Support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance through stable and well‑controlled systems.

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance

• Lead enterprise cybersecurity strategy and oversee programs, controls, monitoring and incident response in partnership with business and technology leaders.
• Maintain data governance and security standards aligned with regulatory and industry best practices.
• Ensure appropriate risk management and security controls are in place for AI‑enabled tools and advanced analytics.
• Assess and communicate enterprise technology risks, recommend mitigation priorities and escalate material issues and risk-acceptance decisions to appropriate executive leadership.

Team & Talent Leadership

• Develop and lead an integrated technology organization through a phased transition with existing business and technology leaders, preserving operational continuity and existing group leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear accountabilities and develop technology leaders and teams; exercise direct performance-management authority as reporting relationships are formally transitioned.

Vendor, Budget & Project Management

• Lead enterprise technology operating and capital planning, recommend investment priorities and manage budgets within approved authority.
• Lead vendor selection, contract management, and performance oversight.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with clearly defined outcomes and ROI.

Executive Partnership & Communication

• Serve as the senior technology advisor to executive leadership on enterprise strategy, investments, performance, risks and opportunities.
• Provide regular reporting on technology performance, AI‑enabled initiatives, project status, and key milestones.
• Lead technology contributions to strategic planning and present investment recommendations, trade-offs and expected business outcomes for executive decisions.

Direct Supervisory Responsibilities

No direct reports at appointment. Supervisory scope will be established through the approved phased transition of existing technology teams over approximately three months. Existing leaders will continue leading their respective groups. Specific reporting relationships and changes in authority will be documented and communicated before implementation.

Core Competencies

• Ownership mindset and accountability
• Strong financial and operational acumen
• Process discipline and internal control orientation
• Ability to communicate clearly with cross-functional leaders
• Continuous improvement and problem-solving capability

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• 10–15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide technology operations and initiatives in manufacturing, food processing, agribusiness, or industrial environments.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP platforms, infrastructure, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, data architecture, and manufacturing adjacent systems.
• Demonstrated experience working with advanced analytics, automation, or AI enabled solutions in an enterprise or manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing teams, budgets, and vendors in complex, multi-site organizations.

Leadership Competencies

• Enterprise-minded leader who combines strategic judgment with execution discipline.
• Ability to translate technology capabilities into clear business outcomes.
• Collaborative partner who builds trust across operations, finance, and plant leadership.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to safety, quality, and reliability.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with occasional travel to operating sites as needed.
• Periodic extended hours may be required during system go-live periods or system outages.

About Select

Select Milk is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives with likeminded producers that have earned a reputation for innovation in animal welfare, environmental sustainability, technology, and overall industry best practices. Established in 1994, Select Milk markets and processes milk from member dairies in the Southwest and the upper Mid-West. Headquartered in Dallas, the company has over 110 family-owned dairies, thirty-two wholly owned subsidiaries, and eight joint ventures with other major food/beverage producers.