Director of Technology at Golden Ceramic Dental Lab, LLC – Prospect Heights, Illinois

GCDL Job Description

Director of Technology

Department: Technology/Transformation
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Prospect Heights/Chicago, IL
FLSA Status: Exempt (Full-Time)
Key Peer Partner: Director of Production/VP-Finance

Position Summary

The Director of Technology is accountable for researching, evaluating, testing, and deploying technologies that reduce COGS, improve quality, and increasing productivity to enable GCDL to insource 80% of production through automated, integrated, world-class dental lab workflows located in our Chicago facility. This role owns the technology strategy/roadmap, vendor ecosystem, pilots/validation, systems integration, and commissioning/handoff to Production, while partnering tightly with the Director of Production who owns daily execution, staffing, scheduling, standard work, and sustained performance after go-live.

This is a hands-on leadership role spanning R&D, design of automation solutions, validation, deployment, and KPI realization in a high-mix, custom manufacturing environment.

Primary Mission/Core Outcomes

• COGS reduction: measurable reductions via automation, material yield improvements, fewer remakes, labor productivity, and optimized make/buy economics.
• Quality step-change: improved first-pass yield, fewer remakes attributable to digital/CAM/process variance, and tighter process capability.
• Productivity & capacity: integrated workflows that increase throughput and enable sustained insourcing toward the 80% target.
• Reliable automation platform: scalable, standardized, and measurable tech stack (CAD/CAM/print/mill + systems) that supports growth and repeatable outcomes.
• De-risked deployments: pilots validated with clear acceptance KPIs, then scaled with Production adoption and standard work.

Role Boundaries: Director of Technology vs. Director of Production

Director of Production (peer role) owns: day-to-day operations across all product lines; staffing/training execution; scheduling/capacity deployment; QMS compliance in production; adoption/standard work and sustained performance after go-live.

Director of Technology (this role) owns: technology strategy/roadmap, equipment/software selection, vendor management, pilots/validation (IQ/OQ/PQ as appropriate), data/model governance, systems integration (CAD/CAM/print, AI/vision, ERP/MES/LIS), commissioning and structured handoff; advanced troubleshooting

Joint (shared) responsibilities: co-lead pilots (Tech leads technical; Production leads operational readiness & training), co-author ROI/business cases, align on acceptance KPIs, and co-own the continuous improvement backlog that touches both process and technology.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions

1) Technology Strategy, R&D, and Automation Roadmap

• Own the 5 year digital/automation roadmap to achieve insourcing and productivity goals (automation sequencing, platform standards, de-risking approach, and scalability plan).
• Identify and prioritize opportunities across the value stream (case intake ? design ? CAM ? print/mill ? post-processing ? QC) that materially reduce COGS and improve quality.
• Maintain a technology “portfolio backlog” with quantified impact, timeline, dependencies, and acceptance criteria.

2) Research, Evaluation, Testing, and Validation (Pilot-to-Scale Engine)

• Lead technology scouting and evaluation (hardware, software, automation, AI/vision, robotics, material systems, workflow orchestration).
• Design and execute pilots with structured validation (IQ/OQ/PQ where applicable), including risk assessments, failure-mode analysis, and operational feasibility testing.
• Define go/no-go criteria, capital budgets and ROI with Production and Finance; ensure pilots tie to measurable KPIs (yield, remake rate, cycle time, labor/unit, uptime/OEE, material utilization).

3) Systems Integration & “End-to-End” Workflow Orchestration

• Own the integration architecture across CAD/CAM/print/mill systems, and operational systems with data traceability and workflow automation as first principles.
• Standardize digital libraries, parameters, and process controls (where tech-owned), and partner with Production on the operationalization of SOPs and training execution.
• Establish data governance for digital production (file standards, version control, model governance, access controls, and auditability).

4) Deployment, Commissioning, and KPI Realization

• Lead commissioning and structured handoff of new technology into Production, including documentation, escalation paths, support model, and performance baselines.
• Partner with the Director of Production to ensure operational readiness (training plans, staffing implications, layout/cell implications, takt time alignment) and adoption.
• Track post-deployment KPI performance against the business case; drive corrective actions (technical changes, parameter updates, vendor fixes) until targets are consistently met.

5) Vendor, Partner, and Asset Lifecycle Management

• Own vendor relationships for technology platforms and integration partners; negotiate service levels, uptime commitments, upgrade paths, and total cost of ownership.
• Maintain asset lifecycle plans for printers, mills, furnaces/curing units, scanners, and software with a focus on performance, reliability, and cost per unit.

6) Cross-Functional Leadership and Governance

• Serve as a leader in GCDL’s transformation partnering with Production, Quality, Customer Care, Sales/Scanner Program, and Finance.
• Co-author capital requests and ROI models; ensure investments are linked to measurable capacity, quality, and COGS outcomes.
• Establish a regular governance cadence: roadmap reviews, pilot readouts, KPI dashboards, and CI backlog prioritization.

KPIs

• COGS per unit/labor cost per unit (by product line)
• First-pass yield; remake/rework rate attributable to tech/process variance
• Equipment uptime/OEE for critical assets; mean time between failure; maintenance adherence
• Material utilization/nesting yield; scrap rate
• Cycle time reduction at key steps; throughput capacity added
• % production insourced (progress vs. 80% target)
• Deployment success: pilot-to-scale conversion rate and time-to-value

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in digital production / advanced manufacturing environments (custom manufacturing, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, CNC/milling, automation, or adjacent).
• Demonstrated success delivering technology deployments that improved COGS, quality, and productivity (not just selecting tools).
• Experience designing and running structured pilots/validation, integrating systems, and commissioning into production operations.
• Strong vendor and partner management experience; able to drive outcomes and accountability.
• High proficiency in data-driven performance management and cross-functional change leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Dental laboratory experience strongly preferred; familiarity with fixed, implant, removables, orthodontic, and digital dentistry ecosystem.
• Experience with common dental platforms and integrations (e.g., exocad, 3Shape, print/mill ecosystems, ERP/MES/LIS concepts).
• Experience with AI/vision systems, workflow orchestration, robotics/automation, and/or industrial engineering in high-mix environments.

Skills and Abilities

• R&D mindset with practical deployment discipline (test ? validate ? commission ? scale).
• Systems thinker: designs integrated workflows vs. point solutions.
• Strong technical communication: translates technical work into operational adoption and measurable KPIs.
• Structured problem solving: FMEA, root cause, continuous improvement methods (in partnership with Production).
• High standards, urgency, and accountability for measurable outcomes.

Work Environment

• Full-time, on-site (hybrid being considered) in Chicago/Prospect Heights; occasional off-shift support during deployments
• Occasional travel for vendor/site visits, conferences, and partnership development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

· GCDL is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

· GCDL will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and/or pregnancy-related conditions in accordance with applicable law. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential functions of this role, please notify Human Resources.

Employment At-Will

· Employment with GCDL is at-will, meaning either the employee or GCDL may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment or guarantees employment for any specific duration.

Job Description Disclaimer

· This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Duties and responsibilities may change or be added at any time based on business needs.

Background Check/Eligibility to Work/Drug Screen/Financial Check

· This position may be contingent upon successful completion of applicable background and financial checks, drug screens, and verification of eligibility to work in the United States, consistent with applicable law.

Confidentiality & Proprietary Information

· Employees are expected to protect GCDL’s confidential and proprietary information, including customer information, pricing, processes, designs, and any other business-sensitive materials, both during and after employment.

Safety & Compliance

· All employees are expected to follow GCDL safety policies and procedures and comply with all applicable regulations, quality standards, and company policies. Use of required PPE and adherence to laboratory safety protocols is mandatory where applicable.