Senior Manager - Stores Technology Ops

Woolworths Group; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Woolworths Group is seeking an accomplished Senior Database & IT Service Delivery Lead to steer 4 Service Assurance Specialists and oversee MSSQL/Oracle environments. The role focuses on operational excellence, DR readiness, and seamless BAU transitions across cloud and NoSQL databases.

You will drive continuous improvement, strong stakeholder engagement, and risk management while aligning IT and business objectives in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years database administration experience across MSSQL and Oracle.
• 7+ years in IT service delivery and proven team leadership.
• Strong familiarity with ITIL service lifecycle and SFIA Level 4/5.
• Vendor management and contract negotiation experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across IT and business.
• Analytical mindset with risk management focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 4 Service Assurance Specialists.
• Manage end-to-end service operations across MSSQL, Oracle, Cloud DBs, NoSQL.
• Oversee DR readiness and target availability for database services.
• Oversee vendor and partner oversight with KPI benchmarking.
• Lead service transitions of new/updated database services into BAU.
• Act as escalation point for business and IT stakeholders.
• Pursue continuous process improvements to boost efficiency.

Skills

Database administration

Team leadership

ITIL & SFIA

Vendor management

Stakeholder communication

Data analysis

Tools

MSSQL

Oracle

Cloud DBs

NoSQL

Job description

We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ It’s that Purpose that fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week.

If you’re excited to turn today’s blue sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you’ll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive and empowering workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

What You’ll Do

• Lead & Mentor a Dedicated Team: Direct, coach, and support a team of 4 Service Assurance Specialists within Stores IT and the Service Operations & Infrastructure Group.
• End-to-End Service Operations: Drive operational excellence across database environments (MSSQL, Oracle, Cloud DBs, and NoSQL variants), covering key ITIL processes including Incident, Problem, Availability, and Change Management.
• Operational Maintenance & Continuity: Oversee operational standards, maintain Disaster Recovery (DR) readiness, and ensure target availability and reliability across all database services.
• Vendor & Managed Partner Oversight: Partner with managed service providers and strategic partners to set operational direction, monitor KPIs, conduct benchmarking, and execute continuous improvement initiatives.
• Service Transition: Lead the seamless transition of new and updated database services and infrastructure into Business-As-Usual (BAU) operations.
• Escalation & Stakeholder Management: Serve as the key operational escalation point for business and IT stakeholders, actively managing critical issues, change queues, and risk mitigation.
• Continuous Process Improvement: Identify, design, and execute process improvements and technological enhancements to continuously optimize operational efficiency.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive Technical Expertise: Minimum 10 years of database administration experience across MSSQL and Oracle, along with hands‑on experience managing Cloud and NoSQL databases, backed by 7+ years in IT Service Delivery.
• Team Leadership: Proven track record of managing, coaching, and inspiring high‑performing technical teams.
• ITIL & SFIA Framework Mastery: Deep familiarity with ITIL service lifecycle management and SFIA Level 4/5 competencies across Continuity, Service Management, Change Control, and Problem Management.
• Vendor & Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated strength in supplier management, contract negotiation, and holding third‑party operational providers accountable to strict performance targets.
• Stakeholder & Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build strong relationships across business and IT domains.
• Analytical & Risk Management Focus: Strong data analysis skills to evaluate performance metrics, identify risks, and drive data‑informed operational decisions.
• Values Alignment: A collaborative, enthusiastic approach that embodies caring deeply, listening and learning, always doing the right thing, and striving for operational excellence.

What You’ll Experience

• A commitment to flexibility through a hybrid working model which combines time spent at a support office and time working from home, supporting both in‑person connection and balancing the flexibility that remote working provides for our teams
• High‑impact role supporting our teams who enrich our communities.
• A leading business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.
• A range of programs to help you prioritise and manage your wellbeing, including 24/7 access to the Sonder app.
• A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you.
• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose‑driven work.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.

We encourage all candidates to apply; please let us know in your application if we can support you with any adjustments in the hiring process.