Innovation Transformation Lead

Description

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Onsite - This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Tonawanda on a full-time basis.

The Role:

The Innovation Transformation Lead leads the implementation, maintenance, and optimization of technologies across departments-managing hardware, software, networks, user training, AI upskilling, and system performance to support efficient production operations. You will also evaluate new innovations, oversee third-party solutions, coordinate upgrades, travel for research and training, and drive ongoing progress through resource management and weekly team leadership.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

• Establish new technologies for multiple departments in launch phase for team utilization.
• Install, configure, and maintain hardware, software, servers, and networks.
• Ensure systems are secure, reliable, and optimized for performance on the production floor.
• Provide training and assistance to end-users for hardware and software issues.
• Diagnose and resolve technical issues quickly to minimize downtime and maintain operations.
• Evaluate new technologies and solutions to improve efficiency.
• Design and implement technology strategies that align with business metrics.
• Regularly coordinate necessary system upgrades.
• Monitor performance and compliance standards.
• Innovate and recommend technology solutions that apply to the day-to-day functions of the business.
• Upscale team knowledge of AI tools; coordinate and provide training.
• Manage 3rd party solutions.
• Travel for researching new strategies to implement in the plant and training.
• Lead weekly team meetings for follow-up of new technologies and provide assistance.
• Create and manage library of resources and innovation tracker.

• 3 or more years in IT Systems/Infrastructure, Plant IT, or Manufacturing IT supporting production environments.
• Demonstrated experience introducing/launching new technologies across multiple departments.
• Strong break/fix troubleshooting with urgency on the production floor (downtime mitigation, root cause analysis).
• Track record designing/implementing technology roadmaps or strategies tied to business KPIs (uptime, OEE, cycle time, scrap, cost).
• Experience training end users and teams; building SOPs, knowledge bases, and/or resource libraries.
• Ability to travel 10-25% for technology research, vendor visits, and training.

• Experience in manufacturing/industrial IT, especially supporting production lines, HMI/SCADA, MES, CMMS, barcode/RFID, vision systems, or data historians.
• Cloud experience (Azure preferred), automation platforms, or data pipeline tools (Power BI, Power Automate).
• Experience building innovation trackers or PM-lite practices (roadmaps, RACI, sprint/kanban).
• Vendor/3rd-party solution management (selection, implementation, and support).
• Clear documentation, ticket hygiene, and change management discipline (ITIL-lite).

• The expected base compensation for this role is: $86,400.00 - $137,900.00 USD Annual. Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
• Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

• Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.