Director, Enterprise Operations and Engineering

Main Responsibilities:         

• Plan, acquire, and coordinate installation of in-house and remote hardware and software across the organization's network.


• Design and implement short- and long-term strategic plans to ensure that data centre and network capacity, security and stability meet existing and future head office, and retail stores requirements.


• Develop technology standards for all hardware, software and infrastructure in the organization including Servers, PC's communications and security tools for both Corporate and Store locations.


• Develop store technology standards for corporate and independent store locations and types.


• Design and implement robust backup and recovery plans and procedures to ensure Business continuity and high-availability.


• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for network resource administration and database administration, and ensure appropriate use.


• Develop and deploy methodologies for testing network performance and providing network performance statistics and reports.


• Manage and ensure effectiveness of data centre operations, servers, including e-mail, print, file and backup servers, and their associated operating systems and software.


• Manage and ensure optimal operation of all network hardware and equipment, including routers, switches, hubs, UPSs etc.


• Manage all security solutions, including firewalls, remote-access and anti-virus solutions to ensure intrusion detection systems are effective.


• Conduct research and make recommendations on network products, services, protocols, and standards in support of network procurement and development efforts.


• Conduct research into current and emerging database and data warehouse technologies and issues in support of new development efforts.


• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for both JD Edwards CNC, JDA RMS administration and WEB administration, and ensure appropriate use.


• Negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure data centre, network, Web and database products, services, and support agreements.


• Assess, approve, and administer all equipment, hardware, and application and OS software upgrades.


• Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organization's executives, decision-makers, stakeholders, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent data centre and network activities.


• Practice network asset management, including maintenance of data centre and network component inventory and related documentation.


• Approve and administer user accounts, permissions, and access rights for appropriate end users.


• Direct and administrate a contingent of network analysts and technicians to provide guidance to end users and junior members of the team.


• Establish service level agreements with the business.


• Responsible for the development of departmental budgets, monitor expenses and ensure that costs stay within plan.


• Responsible for the development and monitoring of Capital Expense budgets


• Liaison with external vendors and evaluate system development/administration/monitoring tools available in the marketplace and determine their suitability for our organization.


• Allocate sufficient resources or hiring external consultants to ensure that internal business requirements are met.   

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• University Degree, majoring in the field of computer science


• 8-10 years working experience in managing an IT department.


• Experience in the creation of annual budgets and business plans.


• Excellent technical knowledge of mid-range (including AS-400), network and PC operating systems.


• Experience directing build/operating practices for hardware such as servers, routers, switches, security devices, and other related equipment.


• Expertise transitioning physical servers to a Virtual Machine (VM) environment and implementing high availability using VM tools.


• Strong background implementing metrics based operations methods that contribute to an SLA driven service model for technology delivery.


• Technical security qualifications.


• Strong background in supporting industry standard application systems such as Microsoft Office, SQL.


• Strong background running packaged software and common databases such as DB/2 and Oracle


• Strong background in the administration and support of Web platforms such as IBM Websphere, ESB etc.


• Excellent knowledge and experience in communication protocols such as, VPN, DSL, MPLS and related LAN/WAN technologies.


• Experience with network cabling and telephony systems.


• Experience delivering IT services via off shore resources.


• Sound knowledge of new technological trends and business processes.


• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.


• Demonstrated leadership and personnel management skills


• Strong interpersonal skills highly motivated and directed.


• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.


• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Strong customer service orientation.

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