Smelter Operation Readiness - Manager It Infrastructure

The purpose of this position is:

The Manager IT Infrastructure will be accountable for managing various teams of multidiscipline IT professionals overseeing the design, implementation, management, and maintenance of the companys information technology (IT) systems and infrastructure. This includes managing the companys hardware, software, wired and wireless networks, servers, storages systems, two-way trunked radio systems, end user computing devices and other related IT infrastructure.

This position will oversee the day-to-day operations of all IT infrastructure and services ensuring that the IT systems are reliable, secure, up-to-date, and working correctly to improve the productivity and efficiency of the various smelting plants.

In addition, this position will implement and maintain cybersecurity measures to protect the smelters sensitive data and infrastructure from potential cyber threats.

This leadership position plays a critical role in ensuring that the smelters information technology infrastructure supports the unique demands of the organization.

The key duties and responsibilities of this position are:

• Accountable for ensuring the IT department meets service level agreements for customer service levels and system / network availability targets of 99.95% as set by the organization.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the IT team, setting goals, monitoring progress, and providing regular feedback.
• Accountable for ensuring the security and integrity of the companys data and IT systems, including managing backups, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity measures.
• Develop executive level monthly reporting, covering achievements, cost analysis, SLAs results, network and server availability, safety performance, project status and headcount.
• Project portfolio management as well as leading and participating in the development and implementation of IT projects.
• Recruiting, training, and mentoring new IT staff and evaluating their performance.
• Manage a team of IT professionals, ensuring that they have the resources they need to perform their roles effectively.
• Identify and implement improvements to the organizations IT infrastructure, ensuring that they align with the organizations strategic goals.
• Accountable to ensure IT operations comply with regulatory requirements and corporate policies and procedures.
• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of the organizations IT infrastructure.
• Accountable for ensuring the team works safely and complies with all safety procedures and regulations.
• Ensure that the organizations IT systems are reliable, secure, and efficient.
• Develop and manage IT budgets, ensuring that costs are controlled, and spending is aligned with the organizations strategic goals.
• Negotiate, control, justify, and approve all purchases and contracts associated with IT infrastructure and services including outsourcing contracts to ensure their products and services comply with the terms and SLAs within the contract agreements.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices, ensuring that the organizations IT infrastructure remains current and relevant.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including vendors, end users and internal departments.

The key challenges in this position include:

• Data Security: The metals industry relies heavily on data to make informed decisions. As an IT Infrastructure Manager, you will be accountable to ensure that the network and systems are secure from unauthorized access and that sensitive data is protected from cyber threats.
• Prioritizing Tasks: This leadership position will need to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to ensure that all issues are addressed in a timely and efficient manner. You will on occasion need to prioritize urgent issues and handle conflicting demands from different stakeholders.
• Managing Customer Expectations: Customers may have high expectations with the resources and capabilities of the IT department. Effective communication and managing expectations can help mitigate these challenges.
• Keeping up with Technological Advancements: The world of IT infrastructure technology is constantly evolving, and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends and best practices. It is important to stay up to date with industry trends and advancement to ensure that the team is providing the best possible support. This means you need to invest time and resources in continuous learning and development.
• High Pressure Environment: Mining and smelting operations are often high-pressure environments where downtime can result in significant financial losses, and as a manager, you may need to deal with high-pressure situations where time is of the essence. You need to be able to make quick decisions and take appropriate actions to resolve issues promptly.
• Ensuring Compliance with Regulations: There are numerous government regulations that govern the use and management of computer networks. As a manager, you will be accountable to ensure that your team is following the regulations and implementing appropriate security measures to protect the network and sensitive data.
• Staff Retention: In remote locations, attracting and retaining skilled staff can be a challenge. This leadership position must create an environment that fosters a positive workplace culture and provides opportunities for professional growth and development to retain staff.
• Meeting Service Level Agreements: Accountable for ensuring that your team meets the service level agreements set by the organization. This requires effective communication with other departments and stakeholder to ensure that service expectations are met.
• Resolving Complex and Technical Issues: This role will be responsible for handling complex technical issues that the team may not be able to resolve on their own. This requires a strong technical background and the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems quickly.
• Hazardous Environment: Smelting operations can be dangerous, as a manager you will be accountable for the safety of yourself and the team. You must be familiar with and ensure the team follow strict safety protocols when visiting and working in these environments, using specialized protective gear to ensure safety.
• Availability: You will be accountable for ensuring the high availability (99.95%) of the network and systems under your responsibility, you will need to coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure that equipment downtime is minimized, and connectivity is restored as quickly as possible.
• Overall, the Manager IT Infrastructure, must be able to balance technical expertise with practical considerations such as budget constraints and user support to ensure that the organizations technology infrastructure is secure, reliable, and capable of supporting the business objectives.
• Managing a Team: One of the biggest challenges will be managing a team of IT professionals, including subordinates from various ethnicities, religions, and cultures, to maximize their full potential, this includes hiring, training, coaching and performance management. This can be challenging, especially when dealing with conflicts and differing highly technical opinions on how to solve problems.

The background, education, and work experience needed to succeed in this job are:

Minimum Education & Experience

• Certification, Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) would be an advantage.
• 10+ Years of experience in IT infrastructure support and at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Certification, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCSA) would be an advantage.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science or related field.

Core Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Characters)

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve complex IT issues.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and regulations in the metal processing industry.
• Proven experience in project portfolio management.
• Experience in mining or process automation industries is a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, technical and conversational.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure technologies, including network infrastructure, data centers and cloud computing.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a team of IT professionals.

The key areas in which you have decision-making responsibility are:

• Managing Staff: Making decision regarding staffing, training and performance management and the allocation of resource and delegation of tasks.
• Vendor Management: Make decisions about the selection and management of external vendors that provide technical support services. This includes negotiating contracts, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring that vendors meet service level agreements.
• Procurement: Making decision regarding the procurement of hardware, software, and other equipment necessary, considering factors such as cost, compatibility, and performance, for the smooth functioning of the infrastructure.
• Budgeting: Manage the budget allocated, ensuring that it is being used efficiently and effectively. This includes monitoring expenses and forecasting future needs to ensure that the team has the resources it needs to deliver high quality support services.
• Resource Allocation: Required to make decisions about the allocation of resources, including personnel, equipment, and budget, for infrastructure maintenance, support, and expansion.
• Evaluating New Technologies: Evaluate new technologies and tools that can improve the support services provided by the team. This includes evaluating new software applications, hardware and other technologies that can enhance the user experience.
• Continuous Improvement: Continually evaluate the effectiveness of support service and make decision to improve processes, procedures, and training programs to enhance the quality of support provided.
• Technology Upgrades: Make decisions about when and how to upgrade hardware and software. This includes assessing the impact of upgrades on end-users and control systems, developing upgrade plans, and coordinating the implementation of upgrades with other teams within the organization.

Dimensions

Financial

• ROI Analysis: Required to perform return of investment (ROI) analysis to determine the financial impact or support initiatives or projects as well as make decisions on repair vs. replace.
• Cost Control: Will be responsible for controlling costs associated with IT infrastructure, including identifying areas for cost savings, and negotiating vendor support contracts.
• Budgeting: Will be responsible for developing and managing an annual operating budget of approximately US$ 10 MM. Managing the budget for the team, including allocating resources for hardware, software, and other technical needs.

Non-Financial

• Customer Satisfaction: The manager must ensure that their team is meeting the needs of the organizations one thousand end users, spread across several geographic locations, including users working remotely and resolving technical issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Performance Management: The manager will be responsible for evaluating the performance of subordinates and contractors, providing feedback, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Process Improvement: The manager will need to identify opportunities for process improvement and develop strategies for implementing changes that will increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Leadership: The manager is responsible for leading the team and ensuring that they are working effectively and efficiently. This includes setting expectations, providing guidance, and motivating team members.

Dateline: 27 Mei 2023