IT Systems Administrator

About Tanis Brush Tanis Brush is an industrial and abrasive brush manufacturer based in Delafield, Wisconsin, producing precision brushes for automotive, aerospace, data center, and general manufacturing customers. Alongside our manufacturing work, we are building the Tanis Digital Platform, a connected operating platform that brings product intelligence, workflow automation, and AI-assisted decision-making into how the business runs. This role is the operational foundation that platform depends on.



 

Position Summary

The Systems Administrator is the primary on-site administrator for Tanis Brush's core technology environment and is responsible for the reliable, secure day-to-day operation of systems used across the office and plant floor. The role independently administers Microsoft 365, Active Directory, Windows Server and Hyper-V infrastructure, endpoints, backups, network services, Global Shop Solutions ERP, shipping applications, and related business systems. The Systems Administrator evaluates technical and business requirements, compares alternative courses of action, and independently determines appropriate solutions based on business impact, operational risk, security, reliability, cost, and scalability. The role also provides hands-on end-user support as needed, drawing on the Chief Information Officer and outside vendors for architecture decisions, major investments, and specialized escalation.



 

Key Responsibilities

Systems Administration and End-User Support

• Independently administer and support the company's day-to-day technology environment, resolving operational issues and selecting appropriate technical solutions within established IT policies and standards.
• Own intake, triage, prioritization, resolution, and follow-through for employee technology requests, using business impact, security risk, and production needs to determine priority.
• Diagnose and resolve Level 1 and most Level 2 issues across workstations, applications, peripherals, connectivity, and plant-floor technology with minimal supervision.
• Identify recurring support issues, determine root causes where practical, and implement or recommend corrective actions that improve reliability and reduce repeat incidents.
• Provide user support and training for Microsoft Outlook, conference room equipment (Mersive Solstice), and other standard company technology.
• Support VOIP phones and company mobile devices, including troubleshooting, email access, and multi-factor authentication enrollment.
• Maintain accurate support records and document significant resolutions, recurring issues, and procedures for future use.

Identity, Access, and Onboarding

• Administer Microsoft 365 user accounts, authentication settings, and related access within approved standards.
• Administer Active Directory, including user accounts, group membership, and routine identity and access changes.
• Evaluate and implement file share permissions and access requests in accordance with approved access and least-privilege practices.
• Manage email distribution lists and other routine messaging access requirements.
• Complete IT onboarding and offboarding for employees, including accounts, equipment, access, and orientation to company systems.

Endpoint, Hardware, and Lifecycle Management

• Configure, deploy, maintain, and replace workstations and related endpoint equipment according to company standards.
• Assess endpoint condition and business requirements and recommend equipment replacement, upgrades, or standardization when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate IT device inventory and lifecycle records.
• Administer and support office printers and coordinate service issues with the Managed Print Service Provider when vendor support is appropriate.
• Manage routine printer consumables and support Zebra label printers used in business and production processes.
• Support and troubleshoot plant-floor terminals, shop-floor PCs, barcode scanning equipment, and related production technology.
• Coordinate hardware installation and replacement activities to minimize disruption to office, production, and shipping operations.
• Evaluate hardware requirements, gather quotes, recommend appropriate solutions, coordinate approved purchases, and track deliveries.

Business Application Administration and Support

• Administer and support Global Shop Solutions ERP, diagnosing user and system issues, resolving routine problems independently, and escalating specialized or vendor-level issues when appropriate.
• Support UPS WorldShip, troubleshoot and resolve operational issues directly, and engage vendor support when specialized assistance is required.
• Support FedEx Ship Manager, troubleshoot and resolve operational issues directly, and identify recurring application issues that warrant configuration changes, process improvements, or vendor escalation.

Infrastructure, Security, and Business Continuity

• Perform Veeam backup verification and scheduled restore testing, document results, investigate failures, and take or recommend corrective action.
• Independently perform routine administration and maintenance of Windows Server, Hyper-V hosts and virtual machines, network devices, and endpoints.
• Plan and execute routine patching and updates for workstations, servers, and endpoint software, scheduling changes to minimize business disruption.
• Support switches, wireless access points, and network connectivity, determine when vendor escalation is warranted, and coordinate specialized network or cabling work as needed.
• Administer the company cybersecurity awareness and training program, including user enrollment, training campaign coordination, completion tracking, follow-up with overdue users, phishing simulation administration, and reporting of participation and results to the CIO.
• Respond to employee-reported phishing alerts, suspicious emails, and routine security events; assess potential risk, provide timely guidance to users, take appropriate initial containment or remediation actions within established procedures, document material findings, and escalate confirmed or significant threats to the CIO or security provider.
• Maintain technical documentation and runbooks, identify operational or security risks, and recommend improvements to system reliability, security, supportability, and business continuity.

Technical Judgment and Coverage

• Exercise independent technical judgment in prioritizing routine IT work, selecting solutions within approved standards, determining appropriate vendor escalation, and coordinating maintenance activities; provide occasional weekend, early-morning, and after-hours support in line with production and shipping schedules.

 

Performance Metrics

Performance is measured against the following standards, each established against a Week 1 baseline: Metric

Target

Service and Issue Resolution

90% of standard support tickets resolved within one business day, measured monthly, while prioritizing critical issues based on business impact and risk.

Backup Testing and Recovery

Complete monthly Veeam backup verification and quarterly restore testing with documented results and timely corrective action for identified issues.

ERP and Core System Reliability

Maintain 99% Global Shop availability during business hours and resolve or appropriately escalate ERP and core system issues within one business day.

Systems Administration Ownership

Within 90 days, independently administer assigned core systems and infrastructure, prioritize routine operational work, and resolve or appropriately escalate technical issues with minimal supervision.

Required Qualifications

• 3-6 years in systems administration or IT operations/support, ideally in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on Microsoft 365 and Active Directory administration experience.
• Working knowledge of Windows Server, virtualization, networking fundamentals, endpoint management, and endpoint security.
• Demonstrated ability to support end users across hardware, software, peripherals, and business applications while maintaining ownership of broader systems responsibilities.
• Experience with backup and recovery tooling, with Veeam preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to independently assess technical issues, weigh alternatives, prioritize work based on business impact and risk, and implement solutions within established policies and standards.
• Ability to serve as the primary on-site IT administrator, communicate effectively with non-technical users, and coordinate vendors when specialized expertise is required.
• Willingness to provide occasional weekend, early-morning, and after-hours support for maintenance windows, production needs, and emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Virtualization experience, with Hyper-V preferred; VMware or similar acceptable.
• ERP support or administration experience, with Global Shop Solutions preferred; Epicor, Infor, Made2Manage, or similar acceptable.
• Experience supporting shipping applications such as UPS WorldShip or FedEx Ship Manager, industrial label printers, or manufacturing-floor technology.
• Exposure to data platforms, automation, or AI-assisted tooling, or genuine curiosity about working alongside them.
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft, CompTIA Network+/Security+, or equivalent practical experience.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• On-site role based in Delafield, WI, working across both office and manufacturing plant-floor environments.
• Occasional lifting and moving of IT equipment up to approximately 30 lbs.
• Extended periods at a workstation; regular movement between office areas and production floor.
• Occasional after-hours and weekend work for maintenance windows, shift coverage, and emergencies.

Decision-Making Authority

The Systems Administrator is expected to exercise independent judgment in administering the company's day-to-day technology environment. Within established business objectives, security requirements, and budgetary parameters, the position evaluates alternative courses of action and determines appropriate technical solutions based on business impact, operational risk, security, reliability, cost, and scalability.

At Tanis Brush, we are committed to supporting our employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution or match
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee recognition and engagement programs
• Training and professional development opportunities

Our benefits are designed to help employees and their families stay healthy, plan for the future, and achieve a positive work-life balance while building a rewarding career at Tanis Brush.

 

At Tanis Brush, great people make great products — and we truly believe that. Our team designs and manufactures the industrial and utility brushes that help other businesses succeed every day. Whether it’s cleaning, painting, finishing, sorting, or protecting equipment, our brushes play a vital role in countless industries.

Since 1987, we’ve built our reputation on quality craftsmanship, smart engineering, and genuine care for our customers and each other. When you join Tanis, you join a supportive community where your contributions matter and your growth is encouraged.

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer. Tanis Brush provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants, embracing diversity across race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy and related conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military service, and all other protected characteristics. Every stage of employment — from hiring to training to advancement — reflects this commitment.