What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Technology Champion position at HECO Inc.?
Who We Are:
Founded in 1959, HECO is a family-owned business that maximizes the reliability of rotating equipment. Through a mix of repair, product sales, field service, predictive and equipment management services, HECO helps customers do three things better: 1) see what’s going on, 2) get rid of the issue, and 3) stop the issue from happening again. Warwood Armature is now part of the HECO organization, and this partnership offers a combined 165 years of experience in the reliable and efficient use of electric motors and rotating equipment to additional industries and geographic areas and creates a unique wealth of DC motor knowledge and capabilities.
We serve customers across a wide range of industries, including power generation, steel and other metals, coal, shale, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, paper and pulp, wastewater and freshwater, aggregate and cement, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and other manufacturing.
When you work for HECO, you can learn from industry experts and discover your potential while being part of a winning team committed to upholding our core values: Dedicated to the right way, can do attitude, respectful honesty, get stuff done, and team fellowship.
Position Overview
The Business Technology Champion will play a pivotal role in managing HECO’s technology strategy and initiatives. This individual will work closely with internal stakeholders and external vendors to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the seamless integration of technology with business processes. A key part of the role will be collaborating with our data lake vendor to evolve our data strategy and using tools like Power BI to provide actionable insights to leadership.
The Business Technology Champion will play a pivotal role in managing HECO’s technology strategy and initiatives. This individual will work closely with internal stakeholders and external vendors to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the seamless integration of technology with business processes. A key part of the role will be collaborating with our data lake vendor to evolve our data strategy and using tools like Power BI to provide actionable insights to leadership.
This is a cross-functional position requiring patience and adaptability, as you will be working within a blue-collar industry where technology adoption and change management may take time. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, comfortable navigating both business and technology landscapes, and ready to work collaboratively across different teams to drive results.
Key Responsibilities
- Technology Strategy and Vision
- Develop and execute a multi-year technology strategy to align with HECO’s business goals and growth.
- Understand and assess the current technology landscape, making recommendations for improvements and scalability.
- Serve as a thought leader in the development of HECO’s data lake, working closely with the data lake vendor to ensure its evolution and alignment with company needs. Use Power BI to deliver critical business insights to leadership.
- Vendor and MSP Management
- Manage relationships with all Managed Service Providers (MSPs), overseeing selection, performance, and compliance with HECO’s standards.
- Working closely with operational areas, oversee the selection, negotiation, and management of software vendors, ensuring they meet business and technology requirements.
- Monitor vendor performance against service level agreements (SLAs) and company policies.
- Technology Infrastructure Management
- Conduct comprehensive analyses of the company’s network infrastructure and related vendors to ensure scalability, security, and long-term success.
- Manage the integration of communication software, phone systems (desk and mobile), and file storage systems to meet the needs of HECO’s workforce.
- Product and Development Oversight
- Own the development plans and product roadmaps for systems such as TracRat, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with company goals.
- Manage relationships with the external vendors responsible for the TracRat system and other critical software products.
- Cybersecurity and Risk Management
- Ensure that cybersecurity best practices are implemented and adhered to across all technology systems and vendors.
- Regularly evaluate technology risks and work with stakeholders to mitigate any identified vulnerabilities.
- Process Improvement and Efficiency
- Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities for technology-driven process improvements.
- Ensure technology adoption improves operational efficiency, especially within a blue-collar environment where technology adoption may require careful planning and patience.
- Travel and Site Visits
- This role may require occasional travel to HECO's other sites, with travel expected to be less than 25% of the time. Travel will be essential for meeting with stakeholders and vendors, ensuring smooth technology implementations, and understanding site-specific technology needs.
Qualifications
- Experience:
- 5 years of experience in technology strategy, vendor management, and/or IT solutions management in a corporate environment.
- Proven experience working with MSPs, network infrastructure, enterprise software solutions, and data analytics tools like Power BI.
- Experience with data lake development and management, and working with external vendors to evolve technology solutions.
- Ability to manage cross-functional relationships and lead technology integration within a blue-collar industry.
- Skills:
- Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, cloud-based solutions, communication software, and phone systems.
- Expertise in Power BI, data lakes, business intelligence tools, and cybersecurity protocols.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and vendor management skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external vendors.
- Analytical and strategic mindset, with the ability to solve complex technology challenges.
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
Benefits
- Paid Time Off
- On-the-job Training
- 401K Employer Match
- Medical, Dental and Vision plans
- And more!
Pay Range:
- HECO strives to ensure that employees are paid equitably and competitively. Starting salaries may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, and education.
Ability to Commute:
- 3509 South Burdick Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Work Location: In person (Required)
HECO Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or veteran status.
