Linux Administrator

Linux Administrator (Contract) – Johannesburg

About BD-Nav

At BD-Nav, we've been revolutionizing the retail and FMCG industry for over 30 years by delivering tools, analytics, and support that put the right stock in the right place, at the right time.

Our flagship solution, D-Nav, is a data-driven analytics platform that gives retailers and manufacturers the ability to:

• Track and improve stock availability at the point of purchase.
• Identify and fix root causes of out-of-stocks and inefficiencies.
• Improve collaboration between suppliers, retailers, and field teams.
• Enhance speed-to-market for new product launches.
• Reduce returns and wastage while maximizing ROI.

We combine smart technology with human expertise through a 4D approach - analysing past performance, surfacing live issues, preventing risks, and supporting teams with weekly insights. This ensures our clients can focus on growth, efficiency, and customer experience.

Joining BD-Nav means working on systems that directly impact some of Africa's leading retailers and FMCG companies, helping them thrive in a competitive market.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Linux Administrator to join our Johannesburg team on a contractual basis. You will play a critical role in maintaining and supporting the Linux infrastructure that powers BD-Nav's analytics platform and client services, with the potential of growing into a permanent position. The Linux Administrator will operate in a consulting-style capacity, dedicating a specific number of hours per week rather than full-time coverage.

This role requires an experienced professional who can ensure system stability, security, and efficiency, while supporting enterprise-level solutions used daily by retailers and FMCG clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Installation & Configuration: Deploy and maintain Linux servers (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian) across BD-Nav environments.
• System Management: Administer and patch Linux systems, ensuring maximum uptime and resilience.
• Performance Optimization: Monitor and tune systems for efficiency and scalability.
• Security: Implement security best practices, including SELinux, firewalls, intrusion detection, and vulnerability management.
• Automation: Develop and maintain scripts (Bash, Python, Ansible) to automate tasks and streamline deployments.
• Backup & Recovery: Design and manage backup strategies, disaster recovery, and replication.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Set up dashboards and alerts (Grafana, Prometheus, Zabbix, Nagios) to ensure proactive system health management.
• Support & Troubleshooting: Provide Tier 2/3 support, diagnosing and resolving issues quickly.
• Collaboration: Work closely with DevOps, developers, and other IT teams to support seamless integration of BD-Nav solutions.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed system and process documentation.

Application Monitoring & Performance Management

• Monitor and analyse system/application performance to ensure BD-Nav's platforms operate at scale.
• Investigate and resolve errors or bottlenecks, recommending long-term solutions.
• Maintain operational metrics and evaluate performance trends.
• Ensure best practices in change management and system upgrades.

Governance, Risk & Control

• Ensure compliance with BD-Nav's IT governance and risk management frameworks.
• Strengthen processes for secure deployments and production stability.
• Contribute to availability and capacity planning for BD-Nav platforms.
• Enforce system hardening, patching, and vulnerability resolution.

Qualifications & Experience

Must-Have:

• Bachelor's degree/diploma in IT, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional Linux administration in enterprise environments.
• Strong command-line and Bash scripting expertise.
• Proven experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or CentOS.
• Networking knowledge (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, NFS, SSH).
• Solid background in security administration and system hardening
  .

Preferred (Advantageous):

• Certifications: RHCSA, RHCE, LPIC.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Exposure to DevOps tools (Git, Jenkins, CI/CD).
• Experience with monitoring tools (Grafana, Prometheus, Zabbix, Nagios).
• Previous experience supporting retail or FMCG IT environments.

Who We're Looking For

• Problem-solver with strong troubleshooting skills under pressure.
• Security-minded, always prioritising data protection and compliance.
• Detail-oriented and proactive, capable of anticipating issues before they arise.
• Collaborative, able to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Adaptable and innovative, eager to improve processes and adopt new technologies.

Contract Details

• Contract role based onsite in Johannesburg.
• Provide services on a part-time, consulting-style basis, limited to X hours per week.
• Competitive hourly/daily rate.
• Duration aligned with BD-Nav project lifecycle.

Why Join BD-Nav?

At BD-Nav, your work won't just keep servers running - it will help Africa's retailers and FMCG leaders deliver better service, reduce waste, and respond faster to customer needs.

This is your opportunity to:

• Work on enterprise-critical systems at the heart of Africa's retail and FMCG supply chains.
• Be part of a dynamic, future-focused company that values innovation and reliability.
• Develop your expertise in an environment where your impact is visible daily.

Apply now and help BD-Nav shape the future of retail and FMCG across Africa.