Identifies high priority needs , captures those needs as requirements / user stories, and works with the support and product development teams to deliver effective solutions, subject matter expertise, and drive reduction of recurring issues; becoming immersed in the business problem to help create optimum solutions and solve difficult problems.

This position is responsible for effective planning, provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of Enterprise collaborative tools applications, with a focus on Microsoft 365 technologies. The position also involves participating in technical research and development to foster ongoing innovation within the environment, ensuring adherence to organizational standards in system hardware, operating systems, software systems, and related procedures.

Customer Advocacy . Look at every problem and solution in the eyes of our business partners. Works with stakeholders in all business units to formulate scope and objectives for new enterprise initiatives and to drive down software issues. Partners with business stakeholders, support managers and product managers to prioritize, analyze, define and manage backlog by gathering enhancement, recurring issue, and technical debt requests as the business needs evolve. Develops and maintains working relationships with business leaders/strategy owners and advises IT leadership through objective metrics of progress and recommended directional changes to current state.

Guides and leads the Collaborative tools Team by using deep subject matter expertise to help identify a problem, drive towards a solution, and measure efficiency savings. Key interface between business users and collaborative tools engineers. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues, e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Serves as a subject matter expert for enterprise collaborative tools applications . Responds to collaborative tools questions and troubleshoots efforts by having a thorough understanding of the business processes and flows, thereby enabling the analysis of business requirements and the development of solutions for the business functions. Assists the different business unit teams with defining best practices for Collaboration or enterprise solutions and provides recommendations on proposed solutions. Improves offerings, processes, methodologies, and supports business development efforts. Understands and translates the business strategy, business goals and business processes into an enterprise grade solution. Researches, analyzes and recommends solutions, which meet the business needs for new business partner requests. Analyzes business requirements, explores and evaluates various options, configures the application to meet requirements and coordinates testing with QA and User acceptance testers.

Develop, guide, and coach team to build and maintain a stable client technology and Microsoft 365 environment supporting all administrative functions. This role is an integral part of the Information Technology Infrastructure Team and focuses on supporting companywide collaborative and client technologies.  All desktop productivity tools are included in the suite, including but not limited to Account setups/ integration to Simmons network credentials/Multi Factor authentication/ Outlook/ Teams/ Unified Communications / one drive/SharePoint/data governance (files), and how its structured, configured and then supported (including training). O365 security and email protection setup, legal discovery, and retention processing. This position interfaces directly with clients, support teams including but not limited to service desk, application teams, Security and network teams.  Additional responsibilities will include but are not limited to desktop deployment strategy and client/server patch oversite.

Implements, maintains and enhances workstation processes and functions . Implements, maintains and enhances desktop imaging processes and functions. Manages, develops, implements, supports, maintains and advances Microsoft Windows desktop patching and upgrading processes and technologies in a methodical and systematic manner as to not disrupt current business activities. Manages, develops, implements and advances existing desktop and application virtualization projects within the VMWare VDI environment. Designs, develops, documents and enforces hardware policies and standards.

Leads development and execution of automated, standardized procedures for deployment of new, and maintenance/refresh of existing, end-user devices and software. Develops, implements, maintains, and enhances mobile device management solutions, including architectural design, product selection, and implementation. Participates in developing and executing the technology lifecycle and roadmap for the technologies in scope, including technology refresh and retirement strategies for mobile devices, desktops, laptops, virtual desktop infrastructure, client configuration automation solutions, and desktop deployment solutions. Develops custom scripts, programs, and other force multipliers to enhance the capabilities of the client services department to rapidly respond to business needs. Drives company efforts to implement infrastructure as code philosophy. Maintains hardware and software inventories.

Microsoft 365 Cloud services . Proficiency in cloud technologies encompassing IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS including Cloud networking.

Security and Compliance Expertise: Hands-on experience with Network and user security concepts. Familiarity with SDLC processes, encompassing object promotion, rollback procedures, and technical documentation creation. Ability to configure, manage, audit, and set up alerts for OCI environment security utilizing built-in observability tools.

Implement/Manage Communication Technologies . Plans, develops, implements and maintains strategies for communication and workgroup information sharing. Provides leadership and direction for training needs and a spirit of continuous improvement.

Implement/ collaboration Technologies . Implements and manages collaboration technologies that reflect the needs of the company in relation to providing the needed service level and disaster recovery directives. Work with other team members in reaching and maintaining service levels.

Installation, configuration, and maintenance . Recognizes and troubleshoots problems with systems, services, and applications software. Establishes and documents standards and procedures for management review. Requires extensive knowledge of technology operations and IT infrastructure automation (IaC)

Recognized for the highest level of technical expertise in systems administration . Knowledge and skill would typically be acquired from many years of involvement in the most complex and challenging IT environments. At this level, the incumbent would be expected to be capable of instructing other IT staff in the most complex issues.

Assist project teams with technical issues in the Initiation and Planning phases of our standard Project Management standards. These activities include the definition of needs, benefits, and technical research & development within the project life cycle. Technical analysis and design; and support of operations staff in executing, testing and rolling-out the solutions. Participation on projects is focused on the transition of projects from development staff to production staff by performing operations activities within the project life cycle.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons' established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position's role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives. This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended to describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities : Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property. May travel via car or plane to various work locations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) : As required by visiting facility.

Travel: Approximately 10% travel, including travel to Simmons facilities, one to two offsite classes or conferences per year, and to Toronto Office. Must have or be able to obtain a passport.

Technical Experience : Minimum of 8 years in IT Infrastructure support with 3 years in Microsoft M365 experience. Prefer Microsoft M365 related certifications. Candidates for this role should possess a wealth of technical expertise, ADFS, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, Intune and Teams with client-side troubleshooting of Outlook on PC, MAC, and mobile devices. Experience with PowerShell information gathering and automation. Furthermore, candidates are preferred to have at least 5 years of hands-on experience in a Cloud Systems Engineering/DevOps role within a mission-critical environment. This experience should be complemented by an intimate knowledge of system administration, performance tuning, and file system optimization

Industry Experience : Preference for food processing organization.

Minimum Education : Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering or related field, or 4 years related experience.

Preferred Education : MS degree in Information Services or in Computer Science, or 5+ years related work experience.