IT Network and Operations Manager (Hands On)

Network & Operations Manager (Hands On)FULL TIMEIRVINGTON, NJ (ONSITE)The IT Operations Manager is responsible for strengthening the reliability, responsiveness, and scalability of the IT environment. This role serves as a hands-on operational leader and force multiplier for the VP of IT, ensuring day-to-day IT execution is strong while the organization remains resilient, modern, and well-positioned for growth.The primary purpose of this position is to provide hands-on technical leadership and engineering for the overall quality of the Network environment. This includes architecture design, migration & integration work, capacity and performance planning, documentation of deployed frameworks and ongoing evaluations of core technologies for these areas.Responsibilities:Project Execution, Plant Changes & IntegrationLead or support IT initiatives related to capacity expansion, new construction, facility upgrades, and equipment expansion across manufacturing and warehouse environments.Act as the IT liaison for plant changes, working closely with Operations, Engineering, Facilities, and external vendors to ensure technology requirements are identified early and executed with minimal disruption.Support new equipment installs, production line changes, and factory layout modifications by coordinating IT and OT readiness, including networking, connectivity, access, and remote support needs.Ensure IT and OT infrastructure considerations (network drops, switches, firewalls, wireless coverage, power, labeling, device access, and security requirements) are planned and delivered on schedule.Coordinate with OEMs, integrators, and service providers to ensure equipment is properly connected, tested, and supported before go-live.Help reduce risk during plant changes by ensuring documentation, escalation paths, and support coverage are in place prior to production use.Support post-implementation stabilization by monitoring issues, coordinating fixes, and ensuring a smooth transition to steady-state operations.Network Integration & OptimizationSupport network and technology integration with while minimizing disruption to users.Maximize the value of tools and platforms while maintaining agility.Navigate new governance requirements without introducing unnecessary friction.Technology Modernization & InnovationStay current on emerging technologies to keep the environment modern and competitive.Support responsible adoption of tools such as AI and Microsoft Copilot to drive productivity.Qualifications5–8 years of progressive IT experience, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.ERP exposure helpful but not requiredMicrosoft Azure experienceExcellent analytical and problem solving skillsStrong verbal and written communication skillsAbility to manage multiple initiatives concurrently while working under minimal direction as well as in a team environmentBachelor's degreeTechnical Qualifications Include:Experience and high level expertise in designing sustainable complex, highly available, infrastructure solutions in a large-scale, multisite, international environmentAbility to successfully plan, document and perform complex maintenance windows on production network and adhere to change management policies and proceduresIn-depth knowledge of network management, network availability and capacity planningDemonstrated experience in global WAN technologies and protocols (DMVPN, MPLS, DWDM, WAN Optimization)Expert level internetworking troubleshooting in a large-scale network environmentExpertise in interfacing with carriers to manage circuit delivery, troubleshooting and migrationDetailed knowledge in IP Routing and Services specifically, BGP and EIGRPDetailed knowledge in Layer-2 switching technologies including Cisco VPC, VSS, and stackingExperience with Cisco Routing and Switching platformsKnowledgeable of Cisco IP technologies like QoS, ACLs, Multicast, SecurityPreferred Skills:Hands-on IT operations and infrastructure experience in small to mid sized environments.Experience supporting manufacturing or industrial operations.Ability to operate in both agile SMB environments and structured enterprise settings.Strong vendor and managed service provider management skills.Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.