Manufacturing Industry Strategic Advisor - SW Iowa

Position Title:
Manufacturing Industry Strategic Advisor - SW Iowa

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, business management or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience within the manufacturing industry.
• Experience assessing, developing, and implementing change within manufacturers.
• Experience with manufacturing industry best practices.
• Experience building relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience communicating complex ideas and insights effectively.

Job Description:

Summary

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University, is seeking qualified candidates for a Manufacturing Industry Strategic Advisor to serve clients in the Des Moines metro and southwest Iowa.

The Strategic Advisor is responsible for developing relationships with manufacturing company executives, providing strategic advice, and managing fee-for-service projects to help manufacturers achieve their goals. The ideal candidate for this position has a career in manufacturing with considerable leadership experience, understands a wide range of manufacturing processes, and wants to play a key role in advancing manufacturing throughout Iowa.

The position requires demonstrated excellence across a broad set of experiences in the manufacturing industry including industrial sales and marketing. Critical skills include relationship building, business and manufacturing acumen, excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, exception critical thinking, analytic and problem-solving skills, ability to deal with ambiguity, strong time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. All staff members are expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.

Example Duties

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to Iowa manufacturers.

• Engage manufacturing owners, CEOs, and presidents to demonstrate the return on investment of improving their business.

• Assess complex, multi-disciplinary strategic, managerial, operational, and technical problems.

• Educate clients on the research and best practices in the manufacturing industry.

• Manage fee-for-service projects and grants typically less than $200K per year.

• Provide statewide leadership in the manufacturing sector.

• Develop and maintain ongoing professional relationships with businesses, business groups, and trade and professional associations.

• Act as an expert resource for state, local, and regional economic development partners.

• Create a strategy to improve the performance of manufacturing across the state.

• Work with internal and external teams and experts in integrating solutions to provide transformational solutions to businesses.

• Continuously study the current state of Iowa and worldwide trends in manufacturing.

This is a fixed term position, with expectation for renewal based on funding, and requires regular travel within the regional territory. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.  

Level Guidelines
• Expert-level position possessing advanced professional and/or technical skills working under limited or no supervision
• Applies high-level professional knowledge and expertise to focus on ISU’s mission and meeting division, department, or work unit goals
• Solves complex issues using highly-developed problem resolution skills
• Regularly provides recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Utilizes high-level professional knowledge and expertise to provide guidance, recommendations, and set standards related to strategy, policy, and mission
• Leads projects of moderate to high scope and complexity with broad impact
• May provide supervision to other department staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

June 30, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS811

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • This job may also be eligible for flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours and a hybrid working environment.

Original Posting Date:
February 23, 2024

Posting Close Date:
March 17, 2024

Job Requisition Number:
R14083