Director Network Engineering Jobs in Lexington, KY

Overview

The Director – IT oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of the technology infrastructure for our multi-site manufacturing, warehouse, corporate headquarters and sales office operations. This individual will lead a technical team consisting of Tier 1 – Tier 3 technicians and programmers to ensure high availability, security, and scalability of our MS Windows-based environment, networking hardware, custom programs and communication systems.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Infrastructure and Operations Management

• Systems Architecture – Direct the design, implementation, and maintenance of Windows Server environments (Active Directory, Group Policy, SQL server, virtualization, patch management).

• Networking – Design, maintain, secure, and ensure high availability and performance of networks at multi-sites for office operations and machine data.

• Data centers – design, maintain and secure multiple on premise data centers including backup strategies.

• PCs – manage and administer plant floor and employee PC and laptop policy.

• Telecommunications – Manage VoIP phone systems, site security and wireless access points at all sites.

• Manage and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

• Execute cybersecurity initiatives including endpoint protection, firewalls, access controls, and compliance.

• Manage companies’ low voltage, fiber, and wireless communications.

2. IT Leadership and Strategy

• Assist the CTO in developing and executing the company’s IT strategy aligned with business goals.

• Lead and mentor multi-site IT staff that includes Tier 1 – Tier 3 support technicians, system administrators, network engineers, and custom software developers.

• Manage IT policies, standards and best practices across all locations.

• Manage IT budgets (capital projects and maintenance), forecasting and vendor relationships.

• Lead team on compliance audits, SOC-2 audits, penetration testing and formalization and implementation of written IT policies.

• Evaluate and manage outside contractors that can cost-effectively assist in optimizing the IT system architecture and performance.

3. Technical Support Management

• Supervise Tier 1 – Tier 3 support teams and monitor ticketing system KPIs to ensure timely resolution of technical issues.

4. Software Development and Applications

• Supervise a team of in-house and contract programmers to develop and support in-house custom software solutions.

• Collaborate with business units to identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.

• Ensure proper documentation, testing, and lifecycle management of internally developed applications.

• Work with CTO to integrate data acquisition and reporting with AS/400 mainframe system.

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Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in an IT operations role, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role, preferably within the manufacturing or industrial sector.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. Master’s degree or certifications in lieu will be considered.

• Proven expertise in managing large Information Technology projects (budgeting, engineering, design and execution).

• Deep functional understanding of Windows servers, SQL, Firewalls, Microsoft tenant, networking, and network security.

• Technical hands-on proficiency in Windows Server, networking protocols (VLAN’s, VPNs), virtualization, M365, and on-prem data centers (NAS, backups).

• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles.

Preferred

• Understanding of programming principles with a preference for coding experience.

• Certifications in relevant IT/security/project management fields (e.g., CISSP, CISM, PMP, ITIL, CEH, VMWare, Microsoft).

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Key Competencies

• Strategic and Analytical Thinking

• Communication and Presentation Skills

• Financial Management and Budgeting

• Change Management

• Team Leadership and Development

The Okonite Company was founded in 1878, making it one of the original insulators of electrical wire and cable in the United States. Earliest customers included Samuel F.B. Morse for his telegraph network and Thomas A. Edison for the Pearl Street Generating Station, the nation's first, built in New York City in 1882.

In June 1976, Okonite became the largest company in the United States to be owned by its employees through an Employees' Stock Ownership Trust. As such, Okonite employees have a unique vested interest in the quality and service we provide.

Today, Okonite is headquartered in Ramsey NJ, approximately 30 miles northwest of New York City. At our six (6) manufacturing facilities, we make cables that range from 300V to 345kV insulated products that include Instrumentation, Power and Control, Medium Voltage, and High Voltage cables.

Okonite serves a multitude of markets including Electric Utility (Distribution, Transmission, and Generation including fossil and nuclear), Oil & Gas (refineries and production platforms), Chemical, Military bases, Railroad, Transit and Pulp & Paper. In addition, we provide cables to various other industrial customers in areas of Hospitals, Colleges & Universities, Water Treatment Plants and Data Centers. With today's focus on renewable energy, Okonite cables can be found at Wind Farms, Solar Farms, and Biofuel generating facilities.