Who we are:
Gopher Sport is an industry-leading inventor and seller of high-quality, innovative products used by teachers, coaches and kids for physical education, athletics, fitness and recreation.

Our mission is “To help teachers and coaches show kids how to have fun and be healthier through physical activity”. Started in 1947, we are committed to giving our customers innovative, high-quality products; fast, friendly, easy, right service; and an unconditional satisfaction guarantee.

Our Values:

We create delighted fans

We are dependable and trustworthy

We are passionate about quality and excellence

We move fast to innovate and improve

Description

The IT Manager leads the IT Department to deliver cost-effective, reliable, and secure technical solutions that enhance customer experience, increase revenue, and reduce costs.

This is a full time, in-person position in Owatonna, MN.

What will you be doing:

1. LMA (Lead, Manage, and Hold Accountable) IT team members.

2. Maintain the IT Roadmap by updating project owners, project status and project completion dates after each update, by the CEO and COO, to the IT project list and project priorities.

3. Oversee IT project planning, execution, and resource allocation to meet project completion dates within approved spend on each project.

4. Evaluate, recommend, and implement technologies that enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

5. Assign IT team members to manage applications, ensure user feedback is collected, and optimize software functionality.

6. Implement security policies, conduct annual security training, and enforce cybersecurity best practices.

7. Maintain and improve IT infrastructure, evaluating cloud solutions where appropriate.

8. Oversee IT support, track response times, and implement proactive fixes to reduce ticket volume.

9. Coordinate and maintain clearly published documentation showing owners of company reports.

10. Develop, document, and ensure annual testing of disaster recovery plans to ensure rapid system recovery.

11. Negotiate vendor contracts, continually find and implement new ways to reduce IT spending.

12. Identify inefficiencies, streamline IT processes, and implement automation where feasible.

13. Identify applications that are underutilized and reduce the features, reduce their licenses, and/or take other steps to reduce the costs of these applications.

14. Identify software applications that provide redundant functionality and features and eliminate applications to reduce the total number of applications that the company uses.

15. Maintain IT system documentation, cross-train employees, and ensure continuity planning.

16. Provide IT performance reports to the Executive Team, highlighting successes, risks, and recommendations.

17. Establish and enforce IT policies and best practices to ensure consistency and compliance.

18. Foster collaboration between IT and other departments to align technology solutions with business needs.

19. Track and report key IT performance metrics to measure efficiency, security, and service levels.

20. Evaluate and mitigate IT risks, ensuring business continuity and regulatory compliance.

21. Develop and maintain relationships with external technology vendors and service providers.

22. Stay informed on industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation and efficiency.

23. Define IT priorities, allocate resources, and align technology with business objectives.

1. Bachelors degree in a technical related field from an accredited university/college and/or significant work experience

2. Minimum 5 years success working in the information technology field and 3 to 5 years supervisory experience in a progressive team environment required

3. Demonstrated success leading technologies associated with enterprise applications including ERP and WMS

4. NetSuite, Oracle, Manhattan ILS and Linux experience, preferred

Why join our Team?
You'll get satisfaction knowing you're helping millions of kids around the world have fun and become more active and healthy. Plus, you'll get a competitive compensation and benefit package, including traditional and HSA Health Insurance options, Vision, 3 weeks of Paid Time Off accrued the first year, 3 weeks of remote work flexible hours, 8 company paid holidays, profit sharing, 401K, a Lifestyle Spending Account, tuition reimbursement, product discounts, an onsite fitness center and so much more!

To apply:

1. A short, clear Cover Letter that explains WHY you are interested in this specific position and gives examples of your prior successes performing the responsibilities listed above.

2. Your Resume