Director of Information Systems

Palm Bay International, a dynamic family-owned company, offers one of the nation's most comprehensive portfolios of imported wines and spirits, including over 50 suppliers from around the globe. Among Palm Bay's most valued assets is its remarkable network of long-term partnerships with the foremost wholesale companies in all 50 states, as well as the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. With the crucial collaboration of these partners, Palm Bay's portfolio meets the needs of every level of the industry, from independent restaurants and retail stores, to chain accounts, supermarkets, hotels, airlines, cruise ships, duty-free accounts and U.S. military bases. This impressive roster of brands, accounts, and relationships positions Palm Bay as a major source of fine wines and spirits and an industry leader in the U.S. marketplace. For more visit: www.palmbay.com.

Location: New York City or Port Washington, NY (4-day hybrid, M-Th)

Position Overview: The Director of Information Systems is accountable for the operational leadership and delivery of enterprise business systems, data, analytics, and reporting platforms. This role focuses on execution excellence across ERP, data governance, reporting, and analytics, ensuring these systems are stable, scalable, and effectively support business processes and decision-making.

The Director of Information Systems partners closely with the Director of Information Technology to ensure seamless integration between business systems and the broader technology environment. Operating as a peer leader, this role proactively drives delivery, resolves operational challenges, and contributes to overall IT effectiveness, inclusive of AI related growth potential, through collaboration and clear domain ownership.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Enterprise Systems Support: Lead the operational delivery of enterprise application initiatives, including system administration, configuration, integration support, data migration execution, and user adoption activities across ERP, reporting, and planning platforms. Support change management efforts to ensure successful adoption and effective use of enterprise applications.
• Data & Reporting: Own the architecture, development, and maintenance of Power BI dashboards and operational reports. Establish and enforce reporting standards, data definitions, and visualization guidelines. Take direct accountability for data accuracy and reporting integrity -- this role is expected to build, validate, and stand behind the output, not only guide others toward it.
• Data Governance Execution: Establish and enforce data governance policies and standards within enterprise applications, reporting, and analytics platforms. Ensure data quality, compliance, and reporting integrity through consistent execution, monitoring, and remediation. Proactively identify data risks, gaps, or compliance concerns and resolve them with a defined plan and timeline.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary IS point of contact for department heads and business stakeholders across the organization. Maintain proactive, structured communication on all open requests -- including clear ETAs, status updates, and escalation paths -- without requiring stakeholders to chase for information. Build and sustain trusted partnerships that position IS as a reliable business enabler.
• AI Enablement & Tool Adoption: Drive the implementation and operationalization of approved AI tools and platforms. Leverage AI tools actively to accelerate reporting delivery, data validation, and governance workflows. Provide guidance to teams on practical AI use aligned with established corporate strategy and governance. Monitor emerging technologies and share operational recommendations with senior leadership.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage and develop IS team members with direct accountability for their performance, growth, and output. Delegate effectively, set clear expectations, and build a team culture grounded in ownership and follow-through. Coaching and developing direct reports is a core responsibility of this role, not a secondary one.
• Technology Operations & Execution: Translate collaboratively defined IT strategy into detailed operational plans, milestones, and deliverables within the enterprise applications domain. Drive execution, monitor system performance, and identify improvement opportunities, providing clear operational insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Financial & Vendor Management: Support IT budget management for enterprise applications through cost tracking, operational forecasting, and optimization recommendations. Assist with vendor management activities related to ERP, reporting, and analytics platforms, including contract administration, performance monitoring, and renewal preparation.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree required; MBA preferred.

The following are non-negotiable requirements:

• Deep, hands-on Power BI experience including report architecture, dashboard development, and data governance. Candidates who actively leverage AI tools to accelerate delivery and close technical gaps are encouraged -- resourcefulness and output quality matter more than any single programming proficiency.
• Demonstrated communication skills at the stakeholder and executive level, with a track record of proactive, structured updates and firm delivery commitments.
• Beverage alcohol industry experience strongly preferred. CPG experience considered; candidates without industry context should expect a steeper ramp and should address this directly in their application.

Additional qualifications:

• Experience leading IT teams and initiatives. We will consider candidates currently operating at a senior manager level with a demonstrated upward trajectory and readiness to step into Director accountability -- title is less important than the quality of what you have delivered and your ability to own a function independently.
• Strong background in data governance and compliance.
• Experience with VIP and Circana syndicated data is strongly desired.
• Proven track record with ERP implementations; Microsoft Dynamics 365 experience preferred.
• Expert in Excel for data management, reporting, and analysis; experience with relational databases is a plus.
• Hands-on experience driving AI technologies toward automation and increased efficiency.
• Experience managing IT budgets and evaluating cost centers.
• Skilled in contract negotiations and vendor management.
• Superior organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities, anticipate problems, and meet deadlines.
• Self-starter with the curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo and think beyond surface level.

Salary: $170,000

Benefits Overview:

Palm Bay offers a competitive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), paid vacation, personal time off and 11 paid company holidays.

Palm Bay International is an equal opportunity employer.