Networks Manager - EMEA

DS Smith; Kraków; On-site; PLN 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

DS Smith seeks an experienced Networks Manager – EMEA to lead the strategy, delivery and evolution of our network services across the region. You will partner with architects and business stakeholders to ensure secure, resilient, high‑performing connectivity that supports a complex, fast‑moving enterprise.

In this role you will own service operations, manage third‑party vendors, drive ITIL aligned processes and FinOps discipline, and shape the network roadmap in collaboration with IT leadership.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading enterprise network services in a large, complex organisation.
• Operational focus with day-to-day practices protecting the service.
• Experience of major incident management in business-critical services with third parties.
• Strong knowledge of network technologies, operations and service management best practices.
• Experience managing network vendors, suppliers and outsourced service providers.
• Proven ability to transform outsourced network functions to drive operational excellence.
• Understanding of ITIL disciplines: Incident, Problem, Change and Service Management.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and explain technical topics to non-technical audiences.
• Strong understanding of service reporting and governance with actionable outcomes.
• Commercial awareness including budget management and FinOps principles.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the end-to-end network service, ensuring availability, capacity and performance targets are met.
• Help define the network technology roadmap, balancing stability, innovation and future requirements.
• Manage network services through 3rd party vendors and monitor performance against SLAs.
• Drive service management including incident, change, risk and supplier management.
• Collaborate with IT Business Partners to ensure service delivery meets business expectations.
• Lead transitions of new network services into operational support.
• Establish and maintain standards, policies and procedures aligned to best practice.
• Develop cost controls and FinOps disciplines across the network estate.
• Provide technical leadership and SME input across Infrastructure and Technology teams.
• Support major projects with resource planning within the supplier landscape.
• Coordinate and manage third-party suppliers to ensure value for money and improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement using data and service insights.

Skills

Enterprise networking

Vendor management

ITIL & service management

Stakeholder communication

Cost optimization / FinOps

Incident & problem management

Networking architecture

Job description

Networks Manager – EMEA (Network Service Owner)

We’re looking for an experienced Networks Manager – EMEA to lead the strategy, performance and evolution of the network services underpinning our EMEA wide business.

Reporting to the Infrastructure Director, this is a critical leadership role within the Infrastructure, Security and Services organisation, responsible for ensuring the delivery of secure, resilient and high-performing network services that meet the needs of a complex international business. You'll combine operational excellence with strategic thinking, driving service quality today while contributing to shaping the future network roadmap alongside our team of architects.

As the operational owner of network services, you'll coordinate and manage third-party partners, ensuring robust service management across the scope of our network services. You'll play a role in influencing technology decisions, supporting business transformation initiatives and ensuring our network capabilities continue to evolve in line with business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the end-to-end network service, ensuring availability, capacity and performance targets are consistently achieved
• Support definition of the network technology roadmap, balancing operational stability, innovation and future business requirements
• Delivery of network services through 3rd party vendors, leveraging data and dashboards to understand service and vendor performance and to hold suppliers to account as needed
• Drive operational excellence through effective service management, including incident, problem, change, risk and supplier management
• Partner closely with IT Business Partners and stakeholders to ensure service delivery meets business expectations
• Lead the successful transition of new network services and technologies into operational support through alignment with delivery teams
• Establish and maintain standards, policies and procedures aligned to industry best practice
• Manage service risks and collaborate with governance teams to ensure appropriate visibility and mitigation plans are in place
• Develop strong FinOps disciplines, ensuring effective cost management and budget control across the network estate
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise, enabling informed decision-making across Infrastructure and Technology teams
• Support major projects with resource planning and support from within the supplier landscape
• Coordinate and manage third-party suppliers to ensure high-quality service delivery and value for money, working with our supplier management function and suppliers as needed to implement service improvement plans
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging operational data and service insights to enhance performance

About You

You're an experienced infrastructure or network leader who thrives in complex enterprise environments and combines strong technical expertise with excellent stakeholder management skills.

We're Looking For

• Significant experience leading enterprise network services within a large, complex organisation
• A highly operational focus, with prior experience defining and monitoring day to day practices which proactively protect the service
• Experience of major incident management within a business critical service – managing stakeholder expectations whilst driving resolution through technical 3rd parties
• Strong knowledge of network technologies, operations and service management best practices
• Experience managing network vendors, suppliers and outsourced service providers within a 100% outsourced model
• Demonstrated success in transforming outsourced network functions to deliver operational excellence across critical infrastructure services
• Strong understanding of ITIL disciplines, including Incident, Problem, Change and Service Management
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex technical topics to non-technical audiences
• A clear viewpoint on effective service reporting and governance with a proven ability to leverage that to deliver meaningful results
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget management, cost control and FinOps principles
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions in fast-paced environments