IT Network Manager

Alex Lee, Inc.; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Alex Lee, Inc. is seeking an IT Network Manager to lead a high-performing team responsible for the enterprise network across warehouses, offices, and retail stores.

You will develop strategies to optimize WAN/LAN/SD-WAN, telephony, and security architectures while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, secure, and cost-effective connectivity. Responsibilities include overseeing design and lifecycle management, cloud and on-prem voice systems, vendor relationships, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in enterprise networking with leadership experience
• Experience with multi-site retail or distribution environments preferred
• Strong knowledge of WAN/LAN/SD-WAN, routing, switching, wireless, VoIP
• PCI DSS security knowledge and ITIL awareness

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to optimize the enterprise network and telephony environment
• Own the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of WAN/LAN/SD-WAN across all locations
• Oversee the enterprise wireless network for stores, offices, and warehouses
• Ensure network security compliance and risk management (firewalls, segmentation, PCI)
• Monitor network health, performance, and capacity; lead outage resolution
• Collaborate with Directors and Managers on current and future initiatives
• Manage vendor relationships and project plans for network initiatives

Skills

WAN/LAN/SD-WAN

Network security

Leadership / team management

VoIP / cloud telephony

Vendor management

PCI DSS knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in IT or equivalent

Job description

The IT Network Manager is responsible for leading a high-performing team of IT professionals in charge of the enterprise network, including WAN, LAN, wireless, network security, and telephony. Key responsibilities include developing and executing strategies for optimizing network and voice services, collaborating with cross-functional teams, overseeing the maintenance and performance of all network components across warehouses, offices, and retail stores, managing carrier and vendor relationships, driving initiatives to enhance cybersecurity, and staying current with industry trends. The IT Network Manager must provide a network that is robust, secure, cost-effective, and future-proofed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for optimizing the enterprise network and telephony environment to meet business goals, including scalability, security, availability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Owns the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of the WAN, LAN, and SD-WAN connecting all warehouses, corporate offices, and retail stores, including routing, switching, and circuit management.
• Oversees the enterprise wireless network, ensuring reliable coverage and performance for store, warehouse, and office operations.
• Oversees cloud and self-managed telephony and voice systems, including contact center and store voice services.
• Serves as a member of the IT security council and ensures network design and implementation comply with all security requirements, including firewalls, segmentation, remote access, and PCI requirements for retail locations.
• Ensures proactive monitoring of network health, performance, and capacity, and leads resolution of network outages and escalated incidents.
• Regularly conducts and participates in meetings with Directors and Managers within the IT organization to ensure that network designs and capabilities will support active and future initiatives, including new store openings and remodels.
• Partners closely with the Infrastructure Manager to ensure network, cloud, and data center designs are aligned and integrated, and supports disaster recovery and business continuity plans for network and voice services.
• Anticipates changes in network needs due to organizational growth or organizational changes, develops design changes, and prepares recommendations based on the anticipated changes.
• Manages and grows a team of network engineers, providing coaching and mentoring, and identifies and recommends training for team members.
• Develops and maintains network documentation, diagrams, and standards for the network team.
• Manages relationships with telecommunications carriers and network vendors. Responsible for vetting potential vendors / partners and presenting the Director with vendor recommendations (including costs).
• Develops and maintains project plans following IT project management standards for all work / tasks completed by the network team and consistently communicates project status as well as problems / issues to Senior IT management and all impacted teams.
• Serves as a member of the ITSM standards committee. Works closely with the Service Desk to ensure superior service and communication throughout both IT and the business organizations.
• Serves as a member of the Change Advisory Board. Responsible for communicating all network activities as well as identifying potential conflicts and/or impact to operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in IT field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in enterprise networking, including leadership of network or telecom teams.
• Expertise in WAN/LAN/SD-WAN, routing and switching, enterprise wireless, firewalls, and VoIP/cloud telephony; experience supporting multi-site retail or distribution environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of network security and cybersecurity best practices, including PCI DSS.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Superior customer service orientation.
• Robust decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CWNA, Palo Alto/Fortinet, ITIL) are a plus.