Interim CIO Leadership for a Manufacturing Company
Stabilizing IT leadership after a CIO resignation while improving service delivery, roadmap governance, and cost efficiency across core platforms.
Opportunity
A manufacturing organization experienced a CIO resignation and needed interim technology leadership to maintain continuity, stabilize operations, and keep initiatives aligned to business priorities.
- Ensure a seamless leadership transition and minimize disruption
- Stabilize the IT team and maintain stakeholder confidence
- Improve governance and oversight across ongoing initiatives
- Strengthen IT operations and service performance
- Assess leadership needs and define a roadmap for the future IT organization
Solution
Ascendex provided interim CIO leadership (20–25 hours per week) to support day-to-day technology management, guide stakeholder alignment, and strengthen delivery discipline across the IT function.
- Led a structured transition with the outgoing CIO to maintain continuity
- Coached and developed the internal IT team to operate more proactively with stakeholders
- Created a prioritized roadmap for business applications aligned to corporate objectives
- Partnered with the managed service provider to improve service levels and accountability
- Implemented a modernized ticketing system to improve tracking and resolution
- Established a data governance roadmap focused on integrity, security, and compliance
- Supported HRIS enhancements to improve employee onboarding processes
Results
The engagement stabilized operations during a leadership transition and delivered measurable improvements across governance, service delivery, and cost optimization.
- Stabilized IT operations and improved stakeholder confidence during the transition
- Implemented IT service management improvements through updated ticketing and managed service provider performance planning
- Delivered a prioritized technology roadmap aligned to business objectives
- Established a data governance roadmap to strengthen integrity, security, and compliance
- Improved onboarding workflows through HRIS enhancements
- Achieved $35K+ in annual licensing savings through vendor negotiation and license optimization
- Negotiated a $20K annual Salesforce reduction and avoided a $6.5K annual increase
- Removed unused Dynamics 365 licenses and optimized license types for $15K in savings
What’s Next
This story is one example of the kind of work Ascendex supports in complex environments. We support organizations navigating complex ERP, BI, CRM, and technology leadership initiatives where systems, data, and teams have to perform under real operational pressure.
Want more examples? View our case studies hub.
Whether you need a focused project, executive oversight, or help aligning the next stage of your roadmap, we bring structure to execution and stay close to the work as priorities evolve. Explore our services or reach out to talk through your situation.