What are the responsibilities and job description for the IT Manager position at The Berne Apparel Corpo?
Berne Apparel is a manufacturer and distributor of durable work and outdoor apparel, proudly serving hardworking Americans for over 100 years. We design clothing that is made right, made to work, and made affordable, with a strong focus on quality, functionality, and sustainability.
Our products are distributed throughout the United States through farm and home retailers, sporting goods retailers, uniform resellers, and promotional product distributors.
At Berne, we value hard work, teamwork, accountability, and practical solutions. Our teams work closely together to support the people who rely on our products every day.
Job Description:
This role oversees a small but highly impactful team consisting of software engineers and an IT Support Technician, ensuring that Berne’s internally developed systems and infrastructure remain reliable, secure, and aligned with business needs.
The IT Manager will be responsible for managing development priorities, guiding system improvements, overseeing technology projects, and ensuring that our internal tools support the daily operations of a growing manufacturing and distribution business.
This position requires a hands-on leader who can balance strategic thinking with practical execution, working closely with teams across operations, sales, finance, and distribution.
Primary Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and support a team of Software Engineers and an IT Support Technician
- Establish clear priorities, manage workload distribution, and ensure effective collaboration across the IT team
- Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, provide performance feedback, and support professional growth
- Foster a culture of problem-solving, accountability, and continuous improvement
Systems Ownership & Technology Operations
- Ensure stability, reliability, and performance of internal systems
- Oversee troubleshooting and resolution of bugs and issues
- Monitor performance and implement improvements
- Maintain documentation of systems, workflows, and technical standards.
- Manage software procurement and integrations.
Technical Environment
- Work with internally developed systems supported by a diverse tech stack including Python, Perl, VBA, SQL, PHP, and Java
- Oversee and support integrations across systems, databases, and business tools
- Drive effective use of Microsoft tools and platforms, including Teams, Excel, SharePoint, and related technologies, to improve communication, reporting, and business operations
- Identify opportunities to better leverage Microsoft ecosystem tools to enhance collaboration and workflow efficiency across departments
Project & Development Oversight
- Manage the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and aligned with business priorities.
- Coordinate development planning, sprint cycles, testing, and feature releases
- Ensure QA processes and proper testing processes are followed before system changes are implemented.
- Track project progress and communicate updates to leadership.
- Occasionally Participate in coding & configuration
Strategic Technology Leadership
- Identify opportunities to enhance internal systems or introduce new technology that support business growth.
- Evaluate and implement software tools that improve efficiency, communication, and operational visibility
- Partner with leadership to ensure IT strategy aligns with company goals and future expansion.
Security, Infrastructure & Vendor Management
- Maintain IT security protocols, data protections practices, and disaster recovery planning.
- Manage vendor relationships, technology contracts, and software licensing.
- Oversee network infrastructure, cloud environments, and system integrations
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 5 years experience in IT systems management, software environments, or technology leadership.
- Experience leading or supervising a technical team
- Strong understanding of internally developed software environments and system architecture
- Experience managing cross-functional technology projects
- Familiarity with cloud hosting environments (AWS, Azure, or similar).
- Knowledge of IT security best practices and data protection protocols.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
- Experience with AI code generation
- Experience with Business Intelligence tools
Benefits & Perks
- Medical, dental, vision
- PTO
- Paid holidays
- Work-from-home days
- Supportive team environment
Berne Apparel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.