IT Operations Lead

IT Operations LeadThe IT Operations Owner serves as the primary technology owner for the Cleveland site. This role takes a "site owner" mentality—acting as the central point of contact for site leadership and the value stream, and ensuring that systems, infrastructure, applications, and end-user technology run efficiently and reliably. The purpose of this role is centered less on building infrastructure and more on operational ownership, coordination, and maintaining a stable IT environment. It exists to lead day-to-day IT operations, support Level 1 and Level 2 teams, coordinate vendors, and serve as the bridge between business users and technical teams—all backed by strong technical know-how. This is a fully hands-on role for a true technology enthusiast (a "techie at heart")—someone who understands how things work, experiments with new technologies, and rolls up their sleeves to solve technical challenges. It goes well beyond "turning it off and on again," carrying a drive to WOW its customers and to help build a team that strives to be "unnecessarily responsible."Key ResponsibilitiesServe as the local site IT Manager for the Cleveland facility, ensuring a stable and reliable IT environment.Oversee day-to-day local site projects, infrastructure health, ensuring IT changes / patch schedules are coordinated with production schedules.Coordinate support across infrastructure, applications, networking, security, and business systems.Understand and manage the production line dependencies on IT hardware and systems.Drive timely resolution of end-user support activities.Ensure effective management of Printer, mobile phone, site comms.Manage relationships with external technology vendors and service providers, including internet, telecommunications, and infrastructure partners.Coordinate onboarding, workstation deployment, patching, software maintenance, and endpoint management activities.Ensure Wi-Fi, network connectivity, conferencing technology, and site infrastructure remain operational and available.Support rack-and-stack activities, hardware deployments, equipment lifecycle management, and site technology refreshes.Partner with business leaders to understand operational needs and ensure critical applications are properly supported.Coordinate infrastructure changes, upgrades, maintenance windows, and technology projects.Drive continuous improvement in IT operations, documentation, and support processes.Maintain a proactive ownership mindset with a focus on minimizing downtime and improving the end user experience.Teach and help with the development of junior members of the team.Remain organized and calm when resolving high-pressure issues.Required Minimum Qualifications/CompetenciesBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.8+ years of IT infrastructure, systems administration, or IT operations experience.Strong hands-on technical expertise with a genuine passion for technology.Experience managing or leading IT operations within a site, plant, office, or distributed environment.Strong understanding of infrastructure, networking, endpoint support, and application support.Experience overseeing support functions.Ability to coordinate across multiple technology teams and vendors.Strong troubleshooting, communication, and organizational skills.Proven ability to take ownership of technology operations and drive issues to resolution.Capable of creating scripts and understanding and debugging software issue.Understanding of cybersecurity practicesKeeps up to date with technology trendsPreferred Qualifications/ExperienceMicrosoft (Windows Server, Active Directory, M365, Azure, Entra, Intune)Hypervisors (VMWare, Hyper-V)Cisco Networking (LAN/WAN/Firewall)Palo AltoBackup Solution (Veeam)Storage devices (NetApp)Teams Telephony & Video Conferencing roomsWindows 11 EndpointsiPhone / iPad management via ABMManufacturing and business-critical applications and softwarePLC Networks & supporting softwareScripting and Programming (Powershell, Python, SQL)Work EnvironmentThis role requires routine presence on the production floor for training delivery, observations, audits, and validation.May be required to lift materials, stand for extended periods, or operate within high-paced manufacturing areas.What We Offer YouWe offer more than a job; we offer a powerful sense of purpose. At Team Wendy, we're united by a mission to protect lives and driven by our #FIERCE values. And we back it all up with a great set of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth and success.Make Work Matter - Every contribution you make, whether you're building helmets, designing innovations, or supporting operations helps make life saving products for those who protect us.Continuous improvement mindset - Our unique Strengthen System underpins everything we do. It's how we challenge ourselves to improve processes, solve problems and deliver better outcomes every day. Your ideas and initiative will be valued and supported.Career growth opportunities - Make Work Matter for your future by taking advantage of ongoing training, education and mentorship designed to help you grow in your career.Competitive pay and benefits - including a paid winter holiday shutdown.Awards and recognition programs - Be celebrated for your contributions with awards and swag recognizing your impact and commitment to our mission.Clean, modern workspaces – enjoy a safe and clean work environment.Uniform and swag envy - gear up with apparel that shows your pride in the mission.About Avon Technologies: We are a world leader in protective equipment, with a reputation for innovative design, high-performance quality and specialist materials expertise. Our two brands, Avon Protection and Team Wendy, supply our respiratory and head protection portfolio to customers across the globe from our manufacturing sites in the UK and North America. At Avon Technologies, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values - fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute.This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserved the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary. Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws. U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain "non-U.S. persons" (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, "Temporary Residents" (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum (but excluding persons in nonimmigrant status such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, etc.) or non-U.S. citizens. To comply with these laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within Avon that may present access to export controlled technical data, Avon must assess employees' U.S. person status, as well as citizenship(s). The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at Avon's sole election. Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without a sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status). The anticipated salary for candidates who will work in Cleveland, OH is $117,000 - $150,000 ANNUALLY. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, type and years of experience within the industry, education, etc. EOE, Including Vet/Disability