Sr. Manager, System Administrator

Gildan; Montreal; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Gildan is seeking a Sr. Manager, System Administration to lead our global Windows Server and Wintel infrastructure strategy. You will oversee a team of systems engineers, manage vendor relationships, and drive uptime, security, and scalability for enterprise systems at a worldwide scale.

You will own budgeting, implement ITIL processes, and ensure cross‑functional collaboration with PMO and IT teams. English and French communication are essential for this leadership role in a dynamic enterprise

Qualifications

• University degree in Information Technology; 12‑15+ years in IT infrastructure/architecture; minimum 5+ years in a supervisory/management role.
• Deep hands‑on experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policies, SCCM/MECM and Office 365 hybrid environments.
• Virtualization & Storage: VMware (6.5–9.x), Pure Storage, IBM Metro Mirror, VM stretch clusters.
• Cloud Infrastructure, Networking & Security: enterprise Azure environments, identity and access management, cloud security, governance.
• Hardware: HP, Dell, IBM, Cisco UCS servers; storage networks and switches.
• Backup/DRP: enterprise backup and disaster recovery planning; knowledge of Commvault.
• Security & Networking: Cisco ACI, Okta MFA, proxy servers, server hardening, CrowdStrike.
• Leadership: hands‑on management, budgeting, collaboration, mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Manages global engineering team responsible for backups, virtualization, Wintel, and storage design, implementation, and 24/7 support.
• Owns ITIL procedures, patching cycles, performance metrics, root cause analysis, disaster recovery plans/tests, and security controls for in‑house and cloud services.
• Owns annual Wintel infrastructure budget; forecasts CAPEX/OPEX, tracks adherence, and identifies cost‑saving opportunities.
• Manages strategic relationships with third‑party providers, suppliers, and consultants; handles vendor selection and contract evaluation.
• Collaborates with PMO and IT teams to design, build, and implement enterprise‑wide capabilities.
• Partners with functional business areas to ensure infrastructure meets current and future requirements.
• Hires, trains, mentors, and evaluates system engineering talent; sets performance expectations.

Skills

Windows Server administration

Active Directory

VMware virtualization

Azure cloud

Storage design

Backup/DRP planning

Leadership and mentoring

Bilingual English/French

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology

Tools

SCCM/MECM

Office 365

Pure Storage

IBM Metro Mirror

VMware

Job description

Who we are

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel, with a strong portfolio of brands, including Gildan®, Hanes®, Comfort Colors®, American Apparel®, ALLPRO™, GOLDTOE®, Peds®, Bali®, Playtex®, Maidenform®, Bonds®, as well as Champion® which is under an exclusive licensing agreement for the printwear channel in the U.S. and Canada.

Gildan owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Asia. Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour, environmental and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in Gildan's long-term business strategy. Together with our global team of dedicated employees, Gildan is united in its vision of Making Apparel Better®. Discover the full scale of Gildan and prepare to be surprised at gildancorp.com.

The opportunity

We are seeking a skilled and proactive Sr. Manager, System Administration to oversee the strategy, deployment, maintenance, and security of our Windows Server and Intel-based physical and virtual infrastructure. In this role, you will lead a global team of systems engineers, manage vendor relationships, and ensure maximum uptime, scalability, and security for our enterprise-level Wintel environment. This is a dynamic opportunity to drive technical excellence and shape the future of our infrastructure landscape.

• Department: IT Infrastructure
• Reporting Into: Director of Infrastructure

The role

• Manages the global engineering team responsible for backups, virtualization, Wintel, and storage design, implementation, and 24/7 operational support.
• Ensures continuous, secure operations by owning ITIL procedures, patching cycles, performance metrics, root cause analysis, disaster recovery plans/tests, and security controls for both in-house and cloud-based services.
• Owns the annual Wintel infrastructure budget by forecasting and maintaining capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX/OPEX), tracking monthly adherence, and identifying cost‑saving opportunities across hardware lifecycles and software licensing renewals.
• Manages strategic relationships with third‑party service providers, suppliers, and consultants, including vendor selection, contract evaluation, and critical incident escalation.
• Collaborates directly with our PMO and cross‑functional IT teams to design, build, and implement robust, enterprise‑wide capabilities.
• Partners with functional business areas to ensure all infrastructure solutions meet and scale with current and future business requirements.
• Hires, trains, mentors, and evaluates system engineering talent, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering professional growth.

The requirements

• Education & Experience: A University degree in Information Technology; 12‑15 + years of experience in IT infrastructure/architecture, with a minimum of 5+ years in a supervisory or management role.
• Core Technical Expertise: Deep, hands‑on experience with the following enterprise technologies:
  • Operating Systems & Systems Management: Windows Server (2016 through 2025), Active Directory, Group Policies, SCCM/MECM and Office 365 hybrid environments (OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange SE).
  • Virtualization & Storage: VMware (6.5 through 9.x), Pure Storage, IBM Metro Mirror, and VM stretch clusters.
  • Cloud Infrastructure, Networking & Security: Strong experience in designing and operating enterprise Azure environments. Including Azure networking, hybrid connectivity, identity and Access Management, Workload Management, cloud security and operational governance.
  • Hardware Ecosystems: HP, Dell, IBM, Cisco UCS servers, UCS Fabric Interconnects (FI), and Brocade switches.
  • Availability & Data Protection: Enterprise backup and disaster recovery planning (DRP) solutions, specifically Commvault.
• Security & Networking (Preferred): Good working knowledge of Cisco ACI, Okta MFA, proxy servers, server hardening, LAPS, CrowdStrike.
• Leadership & Professional Attributes:
  • Thrives as a hands‑on manager in a fast‑paced, changing environment with the ability to multitask effectively.
  • Demonstrates strong capacity and project planning capabilities to accurately anticipate future infrastructure needs.
  • Operates with complete transparency and collaborates seamlessly across functions to find the best solutions for the organization.
  • Excels at troubleshooting complex systems and possesses a natural curiosity to uncover root causes and drive process improvements.
  • Proven ability to mobilize, motivate, and influence technical teams, proactively bringing the right stakeholders into the conversation.
• Language Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and French.

What's in it for you

• Join a publicly traded company dual‑listed on NYSE and TSX with great potential
• Be part of a workplace where meaningful connections and teamwork are celebrated
• From local to international, be ready to work alongside a diverse group of colleagues
• Benefit from mentorship and continuous development opportunities
• Take advantage of our attractive benefits packages

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Find your fit with us

We are committed to ensuring that everyone, across every background and identity, feels respected, supported, and able to thrive. Come as you are and #FindYourFit at Gildan. Tailor the future of your own career.