IT Manager

Simple Mills is a rapidly-growing company on the forefront of the clean food movement, transforming center store grocery aisles with products made from nutritious, purposeful ingredients. Simple Mills is a female-founded business, started by Katlin Smith in 2012 out of her own Kitchen. In the company’s short history, Simple Mills has disrupted the market to become the #1 bestselling natural baking mix, the #1 bestselling natural cracker, and the #1 bestselling natural cookie.

The company’s mission is to advance the holistic health of the planet and its people by positively impacting the way food is made. Simple Mills is distributed in 25,000+ stores nationally including Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco and more, and available online at retailers like Amazon and Thrive Market. The brand’s newest products include: Organic Seed Flour Crackers, Seed & Nut Flour Sweet Thins, and Soft-Baked Almond Flour Bars. Simple Mills has earned broad recognition from top tier media and industry associations- including a segment on our Founder & CEO Katlin Smith on NPR’s How I Built This. Our products have been featured in a wide array of top publications including Vogue, Women's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, mindbodygreen, NOSH and many more. Simple Mills was also a 2020 Health Magazine Snack Award Winner!

Role Description

The IT Manager is a critical role dedicated to managing the efficient, secure, and strategic use of technology across the organization. This includes owning how systems are implemented, supported, and evolved to improve collaboration, productivity, and scale. 

This individual brings strong technical expertise and operational ownership while also excelling at solving problems through partnership and communication. They are equally comfortable managing systems behind the scenes and engaging across the company to surface needs, clarify goals, and deliver solutions—whether during a full-company town hall or in an asynchronous Slack thread. 

Reporting to the VP of People Operations, this role collaborates cross-functionally across Simple Mills and acts as a key liaison with our parent company, Flowers Foods, to align IT systems, leverage shared resources, and drive joint projects forward.

The IT Manager leads one direct report (Sr. Analyst, IT) and oversees external vendors, projects, and partners with an emphasis on ownership, prioritization, and communication across all levels of the business. Responsibilities include: 

Technology Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership 

• Think creatively and proactively to identify, evaluate, and implement technology solutions and best practices that improve how our teams work and support the needs of a growing, cloud-based organization. 

• Provide strategic oversight of workplace infrastructure – ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and optimized to support a high-performing team. 

• Champion end-user enablement through accessible tool design, training, and communication. 

• Collaborate with our parent company’s IT team to align, scale, and leverage shared systems, tools, and infrastructure. 

Technology Operations & Service Delivery 

• Oversee internal IT support as the main point of contact—managing help desk operations, a direct report, and third-party providers to deliver timely, high-quality service. 

• Drive continuous improvement in user experience across hardware, software, connectivity, and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365, Slack, SharePoint). 

• Manage, support, and maintain technology infrastructure related to our two physical office locations – including local networks, security and access systems, phone systems, and other location-based tools that enable productivity and safety. 

Cybersecurity & Policy Governance 

• Partner with parent company InfoSec team to evolve practices, tools, and overall cyber security effectiveness. 

• Manage phishing simulation and security awareness programs (e.g., Hoxhunt) and expand usage of identity and endpoint management platforms (e.g., 1Password/Kollide). 

• Ensure compliance with relevant privacy regulations and oversee the implementation and ongoing review of IT policies in close partnership with Legal. 

Systems & Data Administration 

• Manage device provisioning, access controls, and permissions across Microsoft 365 and other core systems. 

• Coordinate with our parent company’s IT team on SSO/identity management and ensure secure integration of systems. 

• Maintain consistent data management practices across digital workspaces such as O365 and Slack. 

• Promote secure, organized use of cloud storage, shared drives, and collaboration tools across the organization. 

Vendor & Project Management 

• Oversee IT-related vendor relationships and service agreements, ensuring accountability for SLAs and project milestones. 

• Lead the operational support and vendor management for internally developed solutions (such as PowerApps), including rollout, training, and troubleshooting. 

• Scope and implement new tools or upgrades based on evolving business needs. 

• Performs other projects as assigned 

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in IT or a related field is required. 
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in an IT generalist or systems administration role, with hands-on support responsibilities. 
• Experience managing cloud-based collaboration environments (Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc). 
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity practices, identity and access management. 
• Proven ability to manage vendors, projects, and milestones to deliver IT solutions and enhancements to internal stakeholders across functions. 
• Experience leading end-user training for a variety of technology, and the ability to learn new technology quickly and effectively train others. 
• High attention to detail, service-oriented mindset, and ability to balance tactical execution with long term project planning. 
• A personal connection to the Simple Mills mission and a fervent desire to improve the food system to help people and the planet thrive. 

Benefits

We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life.  

• Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $90,000 – 115,000 
• Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance, calculated at the end of the fiscal year. 
• Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a 401(k) retirement plan to support your long-term financial security.  
• Work-Life Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to thrive both professionally and personally with unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays (where afternoons are yours to recharge), and a three-week sabbatical after five years of service—because we believe your best work happens when you have the time to rest and refocus. 
• Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and exclusive product perks to enhance your well-being—because your health and happiness matter.

We’re committed to taking care of our people—so you can focus on making an impact.  

Work Model at Simple Mills  

Our work model is role-dependent and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team. 

• Remote working may be considered for qualified candidates from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) if willing and able to travel at least once per month to the Chicago office. Sufficient internet access to support video conferencing required.  
• Preference for candidates within the Chicagoland area, or within driving distance to Chicago. 

At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI 

Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@simplemills.com.