IT Manager

Akubra Hats; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Akubra Hats, a heritage Australian hat manufacturer, is seeking an IT Manager to own the full technology lifecycle across our Kempsey factory, Sydney office and retail network.

You will manage infrastructure, security, licensing and user access, lead ERP and AI initiatives, oversee vendor partners, and partner with leadership to deliver practical technology solutions with regional travel.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in IT management or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, security and operational best practice.
• Experience managing vendors, MSPs, contracts and SLAs.
• Experience delivering IT projects on time and within budget.
• Exposure to an ERP implementation or major business system rollout.
• Experience supporting corporate and production/manufacturing technology.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Clear communication with technical and non-technical staff.
• Qualification in IT or CS or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Desirable: NetSuite, time and attendance/workforce systems, AI in business processes, scripting/integrations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality IT service and support to teams in Kempsey, Sydney and our retail network.
• Maintain infrastructure across networks, servers, cloud services and security systems.
• Manage hardware, software, licensing and user access, including onboarding, offboarding and access changes.
• Develop and implement IT policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with relevant standards.
• Support both corporate and production technology requirements.
• Oversee IT projects and deliver on time and within budget.
• Provide IT input to NetSuite ERP project, including infrastructure, data, integrations, testing.
• Lead AI integration from use-case identification to implementation.
• Manage MSPs and suppliers, review contracts and SLAs.
• Work with department heads to identify technology needs and deliver solutions.
• Provide training and support to staff.

Skills

IT management

Vendor management

ERP experience

AI integration

Project delivery

Security best practices

Infrastructure know-how

Education

Information Technology or Computer Science degree

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Job description

Akubra is an iconic Australian hat manufacturer with a heritage spanning nearly 150 years. Built on quality craftsmanship and a spirit of adventure, our hats are synonymous with Australian culture and identity.

Our production facility is in Kempsey NSW, with an office in Sydney and retail outlets across Australia.

Reporting to the CFO, the newly created role of IT Manager owns the full lifecycle of technology across our business, from infrastructure and service delivery through to the projects that support our growth strategy.

About the role

Technology operations

Deliver high-quality IT service and support to teams in Kempsey, Sydney and our retail network

Maintain our infrastructure across networks, servers, cloud services and security systems

Manage hardware, software, licensing and user access, including onboarding, offboarding and access changes

Develop and implement IT policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with relevant standards

Support both corporate and production technology requirements

Projects

Oversee IT projects and deliver them on time and within budget

Provide the IT input to our NetSuite ERP project team, covering infrastructure, data, integrations, user access and testing

Lead our AI integration work, from identifying use cases through to implementation

Vendors and stakeholders

Manage MSPs, suppliers and support partners, and monitor SLA performance

Review contracts, licences and renewals, negotiate terms and assess value

Work with department heads to identify technology needs and deliver practical solutions

Provide training and support to staff on our systems and tools

About you

A minimum of 5 years in IT management or a similar role

Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, security and operational best practice

Proven experience managing vendors, MSPs, contracts and SLAs

Proven experience delivering IT projects on time and within budget

Exposure to an ERP implementation or another major business system rollout

Experience supporting both corporate and production or manufacturing technology

Strong problem solving and analytical skills

Clear communication with technical and non-technical people, from the factory floor to the executive team

A qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience

Desirable: NetSuite, time and attendance or workforce systems, practical experience applying AI to business processes, and a background in scripting or integrations.

Why Akubra?

Full ownership of the IT function, with the autonomy to set how it runs

A newly created role, so you shape it rather than inherit it

Current projects include an ERP implementation, a workforce systems rollout and an AI mandate

An Australian manufacturer with its own factory, where your work is visible across the business

Part of the Tattarang Group

Based in Sydney or at our Kempsey factory, with regular regional and interstate travel

You will need the right to work in Australia, and we complete a pre-employment check before making an offer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and if you need an adjustment to take part in our process, please let us know.