IT Manager (Bristol)

K3 is a leading provider of business‐critical software solutions focused on fashion and apparel brands and related large retail brands. The Group’s solutions comprise a number of applications authored by K3 and also third-party products that have been enriched with K3 software. These solutions provide customers with comprehensive, end-to-end capabilities that enable them to have greater control over their operations and real-time oversight of their businesses. The Group operates through two divisions, K3 Products and Third-party Solutions.

K3 Fashion solutions target the Fashion and Apparel Markets covering Retail, Wholesale and Manufacturing sectors with our products, K3 Fashion and K3 Pebblestone. We are a Microsoft recognised Global ISV and both our core products are embedded and enhance Microsoft’s ERP solutions, D365 Finance and supply chain and D365 Business Central respectively.

Job Summary

The IT Manager will be responsible for implementing IT strategies, delivering IT services, and ensuring the integrity and security of all IT infrastructure. The role will be strategic and practical, assisted by a part-time IT Support Technician who will report to the IT Manager.

Management of our IT Service Provider, and additional hardware and software suppliers will play a key part in delivering a seamless, responsive, available, and efficient IT service, measurable by key SLA metrics aligned to ITIL practices.

Key Responsibilities

·       Define IT policies and enforce adoption.

·       Deliver to SLA targets, and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

·       Ensure critical systems are highly available, and own the business continuity plan.

·       Oversee the pro-active monitoring and maintenance of IT infrastructure services, working directly with our external IT service partner.

·       Work with suppliers to provision hardware and software in a timely manner.

·       Ensure all IT assets are protected and accounted for.

·       Manage and evolve IT infrastructure for our corporate offices.

·       Promote IT security focus.

·       Document and refine global IT processes, and ensure they are followed to deliver a consistent and commercially sustainable service.

·       Monitor and manage subscription and licence costs to ensure value for money and eliminate wastage.

·       Manage major incidents including internal and supplier communications.

·       Manage the lifecycle of hardware, software, and network assets such as DNS addresses and certificates.

·       Manage the lifecycle of MS Active Directory objects (User account, Service account, Security groups, etc.).

Skills & Experience

·       Experienced IT service management professional with ITIL qualification (at least v4 Foundation) or equivalent.

·       Demonstrate excellent technical knowledge of IT infrastructure, networks, and systems administration.

·       Experience working with all Microsoft products including Windows operating systems, Active Directory and the Office 365 stack.

·       Strong IT security knowledge with relevant certification an advantage.

·       Ability to perform effectively under pressure, and to manage internal and external expectations around resolution timeframes.

·       Process driven with a passion for continuous service improvement.

·       Natural problem-solver, with the ability to simplify and summarise a problem using clear and precise language.

·       Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction through efficient use of support team resources and skilful communication.

·       Pragmatic approach to enabling the business to deliver on its objectives.

·       Understands the business impact of an IT issue.

·       Liaise and work closely with the appropriate teams on escalated functional and technical issues.

·       Able to manage sensitive and sometimes confidential information.

·       Additional desirable technical skills: Azure, Servers, Device management, Hyper-V, VMWare, Networking, Security, Backup/DR, Project Management.

Location & Reporting Line

The role will be located in the Bristol office and will report to the Director of Global Operations. Occasional travel will be required to The Netherlands. Flexible hybrid home/office working is available.

Hours

The role will be weekdays 9am – 5:30pm with an hour’s lunch break (37.5 hours per week). In addition, there may be the occasional need for overtime to complete critical tasks out of normal working hours.

With colleagues and customers all over the world, we’ve created a highly dynamic and international work atmosphere. The business that we are in is constantly evolving and because of this, there is always an opportunity to further improve your professional and personal growth.

As a K3 employee, you can count on:

· An ambitious and international working atmosphere

· Appealing secondary benefits

· Hybrid working options: flexible combination of working from home and our modern office in Bristol and Netherlands

· New Bristol City Centre office with virtually free Yoga and free gym opening this summer

At K3, we pride ourselves on offering equal opportunities regardless of race, nationality, cultural background, gender, age, marital status, maternity/pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religious or political belief.

We care that our business creates a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone is respected and can be themselves. We create a better and more sustainable business for our employees, our partners, the communities we work in and our customers through building non-discriminatory

procedures and practices. At K3, every individual has an equal chance to apply and be selected for posts pre-employment and an equal chance to be trained and promoted while employed with K3.