Server Manager Jobs in Evanston, IL (NOW HIRING)

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

The Server & Virtualization Manager is responsible for the leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of Novolex’s hybrid server and storage infrastructure, with emphasis on Azure, VMware and Hyper-V.  This role oversees an experienced team delivering high availability, secure, and scalable infrastructure services in a fast-paced, complex operational landscape.

The position ensures the reliability, capacity, and operational effectiveness of all server and storage platforms while driving strategic improvements aligned with business growth. Working closely with cross-functional technology teams, including Applications, Network & Communications, End User Compute, and Cloud Architecture—the Server & Storage Manager plays a key role in shaping and delivering enterprise infrastructure strategy.

The individual for this role should possess both technical skills to participate with hands on keyboard, as well as management experience. 

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, manage, and develop the Server & Storage team, including performance management, coaching, training, and career development
• Promote an open environment where ideas, successes, and lessons learned are shared constructively
• Lead by example, inspiring high performance and professional growth across the team
• Train and mentor team members and broader technology colleagues
• Contribute to the planning, forecasting and controls of the technologies budget
• Formulate costs for solutions within the respective tower for both IT and business solutions
• Manages vendor relationships by overseeing contracts, performance, and negotiations to ensure reliable service delivery, cost efficiency, and alignment with organizational objectives

Infrastructure Ownership & Operations

• Maintain full ownership of server and storage infrastructure, ensuring high availability, resilience, and performance across on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring service delivery meets business and partner experience expectations in a 24x7 environment
• Coordinate internal resources and third-party service providers to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery
• Ensure proactive monitoring, incident management, and problem resolution are embedded as standard practices
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive technical documentation

Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across infrastructure, processes, and services
• Plan for future capacity, scalability, and performance requirements aligned with business growth
• Participating in the Architectural Review Board influencing strategic directions
• Stay current with emerging technologies, trends, and best practices, applying them to improve operations

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Strong understanding planning through execution of disaster recovery while leveraging Azure and VMware hosted environments
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and audit requirements
• Establish, maintain, and enhance controls, standards, and operational procedures
• Ensure infrastructure security, patching, and lifecycle management are consistently applied
• Support and maintain effective business continuity and disaster recovery plans

Collaboration & Service Alignment

• Work closely with Applications, Network & Communications, End User Compute, and Cloud supporting architecture teams to ensure alignment
• Prioritize workload based on business needs and operational impact
• Support cross-functional initiatives and ensure infrastructure readiness for new services and projects
• Encourage strong collaboration across the Technology function to deliver integrated solutions

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring candidates to possess strong technical expertise in the following areas:

• Demonstrated expertise in managing and supporting Windows Server operating systems
• Proven experience working with hypervisors, including Hyper-V and VMware
• General knowledge of load balancing technologies such as F5 or Kemp Loadmaster
• Strong knowledge of backup and recovery solutions such as Veeam, Azure Backup, and Avamar
• Experience administering enterprise storage solutions, including Pure, Exagrid, Nasuni, and Synology NAS devices
• Solid understanding of TCP/IP networking, including DNS, DHCP, DFS, SFTP, and FTP protocols
• Working knowledge of Active Directory, including organizational units and Group Policy management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for reporting, analysis, and presentations

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent experience
• 10+ years supporting Windows client operating systems in enterprise environments
• 5+ years with experience managing or providing direction to team members
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with virtual platforms

• Ability to travel, as needed.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other applicable standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other applicable standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Compensation:

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $160,000 - 180,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

#LI-TM1

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen