Director, IT System Operations

Description The Director of IT System Operations reporting to the VP of IT is primarily responsible for the engineering and support of Central’s System Operations Infrastructure. The top priority of this role is ensuring the management and reliability of day-to-day production operations. The Director is responsible for enterprise platforms and productivity tool selections, implementation, and lifecycles. This role bridges the gap between executive strategy and technical execution by designing resilient systems, overseeing engineering projects, and ensuring high-availability operational support.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Engineering Technical Literacy: Deep understanding of IT Infrastructure technologies, cloud computing (AWS/Azure), cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. Strategic Roadmap: Develop and maintain roadmap, ensuring it aligns with long-term business goals and scalability. Design & Modeling: Create detailed models and diagrams to guide the organization through the system lifecycle. Technology Selection: Lead the evaluation and selection of emerging technologies (e.g., cloud platforms, AI, and SaaS) to drive innovation and efficiency. Security Design: Integrate robust security protocols and zero‑trust principles into the foundational system designs. Data Governance Strategy: Design and lead the enterprise‑wide infrastructure and end‑productivity tool data governance roadmap, establishing frameworks for data ownership, classification, and retention. Platform Engineering: Oversee the design and implementation of secure, high-performance on‑premises and cloud solutions. Operational Support Strategy & Process Improvement: Developing and implementing operational procedures to improve efficiency, productivity, and scalability, often aiming to maximize output while minimizing costs. System Maintenance & Technology: Overseeing the reliability of operational technology, including industrial control systems, IT infrastructure, software licensing, and automated systems. Resource & Budget Management: Managing operational budgets, allocating resources (staff, equipment, technology), and maximizing profit margins. Business Acumen: Ability to manage budgets, negotiate with vendors, and align technology initiatives with organizational goals. Operational Support & Incident Response: Providing, managing, and improving support services to ensure smooth daily functioning, including coordinating incident response and business continuity plans to mitigate disruptions. Adaptability & Flexibility: Ability to thrive outside your comfort zone and quickly adjust to new environments, technologies, schedules, and shifting business priorities. Team Leadership: Hiring, training, and mentoring staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Technology Experience: Preferred expertise MS M365, SharePoint, Windows Server, SQL, Azure, Rubrik data protection, Linux, Pure Storage, and Dell/Cisco hardware. Certifications: Not required but are desirable such as PMP, ITIL Master, CISM/CISSO and AWS/AZURE.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may substitute. Work Experience: Ideal candidates possess 10–15 years of IT experience, with at least 5 years in a senior managerial role.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Ability to lift/move: Must be able to routinely lift/move objects weighing up to fifty pounds. Travel: Domestic required up to 10% annually.

POSITION INFORMATION

This position pays $180,000–$220,000 per year based on experience and location.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Free Life and Disability Insurance Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution Paid vacation, holidays and sick time Employee Assistance Program Access to thousands of free online courses Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more! Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications) Referral Program with cash bonus Access to on‑demand pay Paid parental leave We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Central Garden & Pet