IT Manager

Akubra Hats Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Akubra is seeking an IT Manager to own the full technology lifecycle across the business, including infrastructure, security, and production systems. You will lead IT operations across Kempsey, Sydney, and our retail network, and drive ERP and AI initiatives to support growth.

Reporting to the CFO, you will manage vendors, ensure policy compliance, and deliver projects on time and within budget while enabling staff with robust training and support.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in IT management or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, security and operations.
• Proven experience managing vendors, MSPs, contracts and SLAs.
• Proven experience delivering IT projects on time and within budget.
• Experience with ERP implementations or major business system rollouts.
• Experience supporting corporate and production technology.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A degree in IT, Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Desirable: NetSuite, workforce/time and attendance systems, AI in business processes, scripting/integrations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality IT service and support to 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 them on time and within budget.
• Provide 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.
• 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.

Skills

IT management

Vendor management

ERP implementation

AI integration

IT infrastructure

Security best practices

Project delivery

Communication

Education

IT/CS degree or equivalent

Tools

NetSuite

MSP management tools

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.