Jobs in South Elgin

GSD is seeking a highly skilled and client-focused Solutions Architect to join our growing team in Hanover Park, IL. This role serves as a key technical leader, bridging sales, engineering, and project delivery to design and implement innovative IT solutions.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on—capable of translating business needs into scalable, secure, and well-documented technical solutions while supporting revenue growth and ensuring operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Sales & Sales Engineering

• Partner with sales leadership to conduct technical discovery and client needs assessments
• Design and present customized solutions across managed services, cloud, security, and infrastructure
• Lead technical discussions in client meetings, proposals, and demonstrations
• Develop scopes of work, including assumptions, constraints, and pricing inputs
• Support RFPs, RFIs, and technical evaluations

Solution Design & Architecture

• Assess client environments, infrastructure, workflows, and security posture
• Design scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions aligned with MSP best practices
• Architect solutions across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, networking, security, and disaster recovery environments
• Validate solutions against client objectives, compliance requirements, and internal standards

Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Create clear, comprehensive technical documentation, including:
• Solution designs and architecture diagrams
• Statements of Work (SOWs) – technical sections
• Implementation plans and runbooks
• Configuration standards and assumptions
• Ensure all solutions are properly documented and transitioned to support teams
• Maintain documentation within internal systems for scalability and consistency
• Contribute to standard solution templates, service catalogs, and technical playbooks

Client Engagement & Advisory

• Serve as the primary technical advisor during discovery, implementation, and early lifecycle phases
• Communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Identify opportunities for optimization, standardization, and future enhancements

Continuous Improvement & Enablement

• Stay current on emerging technologies, cybersecurity trends, and vendor roadmaps
• Maintain and pursue relevant certifications
• Share knowledge and best practices across teams
• Assist in refining service offerings, onboarding processes, and delivery standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of experience in IT engineering, solution architecture, or technical pre-sales within an MSP or IT services environment
• Proven experience coordinating or leading technical projects

Technical Expertise

• Microsoft 365 and Azure
• Networking and firewall technologies
• Cybersecurity principles and compliance frameworks
• Virtualization (VMware and/or Hyper-V)
• Backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions
• Strong PBX/telephony experience
• Experience creating client-facing technical documentation and project deliverables
• Excellent communication, organization, and time-management skills

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Key Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Consultative, client-first mindset
• Ownership and accountability for technical solutions
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Professional, confident, and solution-driven demeanor
• Willingness to travel locally and perform onsite client assessments and site surveys

MSI Express is a single-source contract manufacturing and packaging company, delivering innovative engineering solutions from our strategically located network of manufacturing facilities.

ROLE PURPOSE/ POSITION SUMMARY:

Manages activities of all production personnel across an entire shift within a manufacturing facility. Monitors activities to maximize productivity, minimize cost, and maintain quality in all facets of the facility operations. Ensures associates comply with company policies, procedures, and guidelines to maintain safe, efficient operations within a positive working environment. Performs shift administrative tasks, including metric reporting and personnel actions.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage SQF, Food Safety, Food Quality, Sanitation, 6S and customer standards
• Provides daily direction to Supervisors and hourly associates to meet designated productivity metrics, including labor costs/utilization, operational efficiency, scrap loss rates, and other measures to optimize profitability and meet demand. Develops and implements action plans to address production performance concerns or improve operations
• Coordinates production/facility activities with Shift Managers as appropriate
• Ensures administrative activities for the shift are being completed timely and accurately. These include but are not limited to payroll, performance reviews, standard and ad hoc production reporting, disciplinary actions, etc.
• Ensures announcements, safety topics, policies, procedures, and expectations are communicated to the staff and executed where appropriate
• Create and/or assists in the development and execution of plant budgets, goals, standards, EOS action items and career development plans
• Understand job standards and/or machine operation for each function
• Follow up on associate orientation, on-boarding, training, new hire performance reviews, and/or development as appropriate
• Ensures associates have appropriate tools to perform assigned duties and that tools/equipment are routinely inspected and maintained
• Performs other duties as assigned

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruitment and Selection: determine labor needs; understand and use the Company’s interviewing process and tools; participate in the on boarding process (Passport orientation, etc.)
• Managing & Rewarding Performance: set clear performance expectations (Passport, Performance Management Process); provide regular feedback; resolve team conflicts; encourage a positive and safe environment; use coaching and corrective action for underperformance; understand and use voluntary/involuntary termination processes
• Training & Development: understand and coach others on processes, tools and standards (SOP’s); ensure training requirements are met; identify and address skill gaps; discuss career interests and developmental plans/next steps. Create appropriate action plans for individual development
• Communication & Engagement: communicate site, company, and other pertinent information to team (pre-shift, one on one, etc.); share customer and MSI Express Inc information on regular basis

QUALIFICATIONS/ CAPABILITY PROFILE:

Minimum Education

• High school diploma and/or GED- Essential
• Bachelor’s degree in related field- Desirable

Minimum Experience

• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with particular preference for food manufacturing and/or packaging experience- Essential
• Some experience interacting with the company customers- Desirable
• One to three (1-3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory role- Essential

Minimum Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Strong leadership skills- Essential
• Decision making skills- Essential
• Ability to analyze and/or solve problems- Essential
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills- Essential
• Ability to plan work schedules- Essential
• Working knowledge of food manufacturing processes, good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and related concepts- Essential

Apply today and join our rapidly growing team!

- Inc. 5000 #124 fastest growing company in the Midwest. (2025)

- Inc. 5000 #10 fastest growing company in the Midwest. (2022)

- Inc. 5000 #165 fastest growing company in the Midwest. (2021)

- Inc. 5000 #1,085 fastest growing company in the USA. (2023)

- Inc. 5000 #622 fastest growing company in the USA. (2022)

- Inc. 5000 #479 fastest growing company in the USA. (2021)

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Category Manager – Corrugated Packaging to join their team. This is a high-impact procurement role for someone who thrives in a data-driven environment and enjoys owning category strategy, supplier relationships, and cost optimization initiatives at a national level. This opportunity is ideal for a procurement professional who has hands-on purchasing experience within corrugated boxes and packaging, is highly proficient in Excel, and is ready to step into a visible role supporting business-critical supply chain initiatives.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• High visibility within the procurement and supply chain organization.
• Opportunity to influence national sourcing strategy within a stable, growing company.
• Autonomy to make meaningful business decisions while partnering with senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and execute domestic sourcing strategies for corrugated packaging categories, with full accountability for supplier performance, cost management, and continuity of supply.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships across multiple U.S. regions, ensuring compliance with service, quality, and commercial expectations.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including RFPs, negotiations, and contract execution to achieve measurable cost savings and value creation.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, and category intelligence to inform purchasing and sourcing decisions.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, logistics, and internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement efficiency, supplier optimization, and process standardization.
• Maintain accurate item setup, pricing, supplier assignments, and minimum order quantities across a large SKU portfolio.
• Support and mentor sourcing resources as applicable, fostering collaboration and accountability.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in purchasing or procurement.
• Mandatory experience sourcing corrugated boxes / corrugated packaging.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Proven ability to analyze spend data and translate insights into actionable sourcing strategies.
• Solid understanding of supply chain, distribution, and inventory management principles.
• Brings an established network within the corrugated packaging supplier community.
• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and confident presenting data-driven recommendations.
• Strong communicator who can influence both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Motivated by ownership, accountability, and measurable impact.

Compensation Range: $100,000 - $120,000 + 15% Bonus

Benefits Offered: 2 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave where applicable by state law, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance Vision Insurance, 401K, and Life Insurance.

If you are a passionate Category Managerlooking for anew and rewarding career, please apply today! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

LHH is a leader in permanent recruitment—and in the placement of top talent. Our areas of specialty include office administration, customer service, human resources, engineering, and supply chain and logistics. Please feel free to check us out and apply for other opportunities if this role isn’t a perfect match.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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