Network Operations Lead

About

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

The Network Operations Lead is a senior hands‑on technical specialist responsible for the architecture, design, configuration, operation, optimisation, and advanced troubleshooting of enterprise network services. The role covers WAN, SD‑WAN, LAN, Wi‑Fi (WLAN), Data Centre networking, and VoIP / Unified Communications, ensuring secure, resilient, and scalable connectivity that supports business‑critical operations. The role acts as the network domain design authority, owning network standards and architecture artefacts while remaining directly accountable for implementation and operational outcomes.

What You Will Do

Network Architecture & Design Authority

• Own the network domain architecture (operational + technical architecture) to ensure the environment is standardised, resilient, secure, and supportable.
• Produce and maintain High‑Level Designs (HLDs) and Low‑Level Designs (LLDs) for network initiatives and major changes (WAN/SD‑WAN, LAN, WLAN, DC networks, and UC enablement).
• Define and maintain network standards and reference architectures (naming, segmentation, routing principles, QoS models, wireless design patterns, DC fabric patterns).
• Provide technical governance for the network domain by reviewing solution designs and ensuring alignment to enterprise architecture principles and standards (in collaboration with EA / Solution Architecture).
• Act as the network design authority for:
  • New site rollouts / site migrations
  • SD‑WAN policy and underlay/overlay changes
  • Wireless expansions and performance remediation
  • Data centre network changes and segmentation
  • Unified communications readiness (QoS, voice survivability patterns where applicable)

Hands‑On Network Engineering (Core)

• Perform hands‑on configuration, administration, and optimisation across:
  • WAN / Internet / carrier circuits
  • SD‑WAN policy, application steering, path selection, QoS
  • LAN switching (VLANs, trunking, STP, port security)
  • WLAN (SSIDs, authentication, roaming optimisation, performance)
  • Data Centre networking (core/fabric, segmentation)
  • VoIP/Unified Communications network enablement (QoS, jitter/latency troubleshooting)

Operational Excellence & Troubleshooting

• Lead complex incident restoration and problem investigations (packet capture, telemetry, logs).
• Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent remediation.

Monitoring, Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Improve monitoring and alerting;
• drive automation/scripting for validation and repeatable builds.
• Reduce technical debt and enforce configuration baselines.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

• Maintain diagrams, standards, build guides, and operational runbooks; coach others.

What You Will Bring To The Table

Key attributes and competencies

• Strong hands‑on expertise across WAN, SD‑WAN, LAN, Wi‑Fi, Data Centre networking, and VoIP / Unified Communications.
• Proven ability to design, document, and implement enterprise network architectures.
• Advanced troubleshooting capability in complex, multi‑layered environments.
• Solid understanding of network security, segmentation, and resilience principles.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly and translate them into business impact.

Experience And Qualifications

• Proven experience in enterprise network engineering and operations.
• Demonstrated experience producing HLDs and LLDs for complex network environments.
• Experience working with service providers, carriers, and third‑party vendors.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making competencies.
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure during high‑severity incidents.
• ITSM / ITIL experience will be an advantage.
• Relevant vendor certifications (e.g. Cisco CCIE/CCNP/ Meraki, Fortinet or equivalent)

In accordance with the employment equity plan of Tiger Brands and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.