Network Administrator III

Purpose of the Job

To ensure continuous Network IT and timelessly resolving network LAN and WAN related incidents for stores and rollouts of network enhancements to provide a stable network environment for the stores to be able to trade. As well as to provide efficient network administration and support services for the store network infrastructure environment, delivering advanced technical resolutions to network user problems, data backup and restore, production of network performance statistics, provision of network diagnostic information. This role leverages solid knowledge of network infrastructure administration, support, and management to provide technical leadership and manage medium to highly complex troubleshooting, installation, deployment, maintenance and monitoring of network services and facilities (I.e., individual machines, network servers, etc.) including the authorization of access to specific parts of the network infrastructure in accordance with established organizational policy. The role conducts investigation of unauthorized access and collaborates with IT security teams to manage network infrastructure risks, whilst ensuring adherence to the organization's policies, procedures, and documentation requirements (i.e., Change Control, etc.), and contributing to the organization's compliance and regulatory requirements (i.e. PCI DSS).

Network incident management:
Reported incidents must be resolved or a work around found within agreed ServiceLevel Agreement (SLA)
Understand and adhere to the different levels of authority of users and accompanying SLA's (e.g. executives get immediate assistance; users can be given up to 4 hours to resolve, etc.)
Ensure quality work delivered, which will include monitoring of performance.
Ensure continuous service.
Take ownership of problems and progressing problem resolution.
Assist vendors with onsite contacts when required.
Mentor and provide skill transfer to Junior Network Admins in problem solving network issues.

Network configuration and performance management:
Remote support by connecting into network equipment. ie Switches, routers, phones.
With user performance complaints, review utilization of comms links and network ports using the available performance monitoring tools and find route cause of the problem and ensure the corrective measure is put in place.
Ensure the WAN Master list is updated with network changes and that the monitoring tools get updated.
Ensure vendors repair poor performing coms links.
Ensure configuration of network switches are optimal ie to industry best practices.
Ensure that security standards are upheld.
Investigate all enquiries relating to information security, contingency planning and activities of the organization, function, or department.
Responsible for complex tasks and areas of substantial value in installing, upgrading, operation, control, maintenance, and effective use of the organization's networks.
Responsible for investigation, diagnosis, and resolution of complex problems, including negotiation with users, specialists, other staff, and suppliers as appropriate, considering the needs for quality, security, availability and safety, utilizing, as necessary, specialized techniques, tools, methods and standards.

Vendor management:
Liaise and Manage Third Party vendors to perform installations, to resolve incidents or maintenance or upgrades.
Ensure the vendors comply with the installation standards.
Ensure the vendor provides the relative feedback to queries or requests as per the agreed SLA.
Ensure vendors Install and configure network devices as part of rollout projects as per agreed SLA's.
Ensure vendors resolve comms link and switch errors within the agreed SLA.

Planning and management of network changes:
Ensure the WAN Master list is updated with network changes.
Ensure the Shoprite change management process is followed.
Understand the impact to business of changes and communicate to business.
Ensure changes implemented by vendors are sound and tested thoroughly.

Monitoring of Network equipment:
Ensure that the network equipment deployed is being monitored by Logic Monitor.
Ensure that the Vendors have setup the correct performance and up/down parameter configurations on the network equipment for monitoring purposes.
On a daily basis investigate high utilization links and take appropriate actions.
Perform failover testing with vendors when required.

New Store openings:
Manage vendor and assist field services with the installations of Voice, Data and wireless installations.
Escalation of issues of the planned installations.
Ensure monitoring systems are updated.
Communicate progress of site installations.
Assist vendors with onsite contacts.

Degree or Diploma in IT computer networking, electronics or equivalent
Relevant network infrastructure certificates such as:
Cisco (CCNA).
Asterisk (DCCA).
CCNP.
A+, N+ or MCSE

+4 years' experience as a Network Administrator or a similar role, with solid experienceproviding advanced technical solutions to highly complex network problems for large scale users through efficient network administration and support.
Expert knowledge and experience with the setting up, configuring and supporting network topologies, TCP/IP and routing protocols, switches within applicable network monitoring technologies I.e., Cisco - (essential), Huawei.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
Solid experience with vendor management for implementing new services or products and troubleshooting of vendor issues.
Experience with SLA management.

Knowledge of and practical experience with:.
Network ethernet cabling.
LAN and WAN.
VLANS and Spanning Tree.
TCP/IP.
Network QOS (Quality of Service).
Routing protocols, e.g. EIGRP, STATIC, OSPF, BGP, etc.
Cisco router and switch configuration.
Cisco IPT, SIP Trunks, RTP, Ports.

Knowledge of and exposure to:
Remedy Helix.
Fiber.
Logic Monitor Monitoring
Velocloud Orchestrator and Velocloud SDWAN router configuration.
Cisco Phones, Yealink, Spectro, Avaya PABX

Expert IT network infrastructure skills - Displays extensive knowledge of network and security compliance. Aware of external technological advancement and how they may be applied within the organization. Displays extensive knowledge of how networks support business processes and requirements.
Strong technical aptitude with a passion and excitement for engineering infrastructure systems, new technologies and solutions and its range of possibilities, applications and value for the business.
Good troubleshooting and problem-solving skills – Able to collect, organise and assimilate disparate, multiple and pieces of information or incidents to troubleshoot, draw sound conclusions and arrive at optimal solutions. Demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system.
Self-motivated and driven to meet and exceed on goals and expectations and engage and energise others to deliver on expectations. Comfortable taking decisions and dealing with a range of problem-solving challenges independently.
Detailed, organised and quality focused – Has an affinity for detail, structure and efficiency, balancing planning and execution. Is diligent and vigilantly watches over work processes, tasks and outputs to ensure accuracy while independently actioning and correcting any quality concerns.
Good communication skills – Is able to confidently explain and simply complex technical concepts and their real-world advantages/disadvantages to business users.
Collaborative partner - Works effectively across functions and as part of a multi disciplinary team. Is collaborative and able to build sound, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to work under pressure and under tight time constraints, efficiently prioritising workloads, balancing multiple and competing priorities and managing time effectively in a high-volume, fast-moving environment. Enjoys challenging work and has the proven ability to effectively adapt to and manage change.
Is curious and adaptable, finds agile and rapid ways of answering business questions and implementing solutions fast.