Infrastructure Manager

Core Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

The Infrastructure Manager will lead the strategy, planning, and implementation of network and system infrastructure for eXtra. The successful candidate will manage the network and system administration teams, drive efficiency, and ensure high availability, scalability, and security for all systems and networks supporting retail operations and corporate activities.

• Team Leadership: Manage and lead the network and system administration teams, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure optimal performance and productivity.
• Infrastructure Planning & Strategy: Develop and implement the long-term infrastructure strategy for both network and system environments, ensuring they align with the company's goals and growth.
• System & Network Oversight: Oversee the administration of both network infrastructure (e.g., LAN/WAN, VPN, firewalls) and systems (e.g., servers, storage, cloud platforms) to ensure all IT services meet performance, security, and availability standards.
• Security & Compliance: Manage IT security policies and procedures to protect the company's infrastructure and data, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practices. Implement robust disaster recovery plans.
• Operational Efficiency: Establish best practices for network and system management, including automation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of processes to ensure high up time.
• Collaboration & Reporting: Work closely with other IT leaders, project managers, and department heads to ensure that infrastructure projects are executed on time and within budget. Provide regular status reports to senior management on infrastructure health, challenges, and improvements.
• Budget & Resource Management: Manage the infrastructure team's budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources for hardware, software, and personnel. Oversee procurement and vendor relationships for IT infrastructure components.
• Incident & Problem Management: Lead incident response efforts for major system or network outages, working to resolve issues quickly and minimizing downtime.
• Performance Monitoring & Optimization: Regularly review system and network performance, identifying opportunities for optimization and implementing enhancements as necessary.
• Team Development: Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for team members to ensure their skills are up to date with industry trends and evolving technologies.

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience: At least 5-7 years of experience in IT infrastructure management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing network and system teams.
• Technical Skills:
• Extensive experience in network administration, including LAN/WAN, firewalls, VPN, and network monitoring.
• Proficient in system administration of operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS) and cloud platforms (AWS, Microsoft Azure).
• Familiarity with virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V) and storage solutions (SAN, NAS).
• Leadership Skills: Strong team management and leadership experience, with the ability to foster collaboration and drive results.
• Security & Compliance: In-depth knowledge of IT security principles, including encryption, access control, and data protection policies.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage infrastructure projects, from planning and execution to post-deployment support.
• Problem-Solving: Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to manage complex, high-pressure situations during system/network outages.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, VMware Certified Professional (VCP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), or similar infrastructure-related certifications.
• Experience working in the retail sector or managing IT infrastructure across multiple locations.