Network Support Engineer - FTC

Location – Woking – Hybrid

Monday to Friday – normal office hours

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Network Engineer role will work with the network and server infrastructure team to ensure the normal day-to-day operation of our clients' network environment. Direct support of the WAN and LAN supporting over 1000 restaurants across the UK. Vendor management is a key part of this role as our client has partnered with various organisations to assist with the day-to-day operation. You will be a key point of contact between the business and our support partners providing troubleshooting and guidance relating to network issues as they arise. This role will provide technical oversight and management of their key strategic partners. This is achieved by working with the global head office team and third-party vendors planning, designing, and developing local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) across the organisation. This role is primarily management of our key strategic partners but will also require technical project support/hands-on where required; the role reports to the Infrastructure and Security Manager.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Strategy & Planning Collaborate with the Infrastructure and Security Manager and wider IT department (including the Restaurant Technology, Digital Technology, Data and Support teams) to assess near- and long-term network capacity needs. Review and input to strategic direction and supplier plans relating to the infrastructure, acting as a Subject Matter Expert on Network, Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery. Ensure all documentation relating to network configuration, network mapping, processes, and service records are maintained and accurate.
• Acquisition & Deployment Assure designs from third party vendors and internal stakeholders relating to the corporate network environment. Responsible for infrastructure technology horizon scanning in areas to include network products, services, protocols, and standards to remain abreast of developments in the networking industry. Oversee new and existing equipment, hardware, and software upgrades, in particular monitor those going End of Life in the short and medium term.
• Operational Management Management/Service ownership of our supplier who will configure and assure network configuration to ensure their smooth and reliable operation for fulfilling business objectives and processes. Carry out installation management and configuration of network switches, routers, firewalls and wireless network controllers. Monitor network and system performance, alerts and troubleshoot problem areas as needed. Assist with third parties to ensure the network environment is managed and audited in compliance with global policies. Monitor and test network and system performance and security and provide network performance statistics and reports. Provide guidance and mentoring to junior members of the support team. Support Infrastructure projects and audit remediation activities as directed by the Infrastructure and Security Manager. Provide out of hours support and escalation through the team rota.

Essential experience required:

• Excellent vendor management / Service Ownership of suppliers
• Proven experience and success of network environments based on Cisco technologies
• Experience of OSPF and BGP routing
• Experience of using, configuring and troubleshooting Cisco ISE and Cisco Prime
• LAN, WAN and SDWAN design and implementation.
• Experience of Forcepoint products
• Experience of managing and configuring Palo Alto firewalls
• Knowledge of Solarwinds
• Proven experience with network capacity planning, network security principles, and general network management best practices.
• Excellent knowledge of telephony systems and network connectivity, including FTTC, FTTP, ADSL, MPLS and SD-WAN.
• Working technical knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and Internet standards and a good understanding of vendors’ roadmaps.
• Excellent hardware troubleshooting experience.
• Competence with testing tools and procedures for voice and data circuits.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Experience in working for a global organisation
• Good experience of implementing global standards and policies
• CCNA minimum preferred
• Vendor certifications – Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco are all a bonus
• Technical project work experience welcomed

About you:

• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Able to conduct research into Infrastructure and networking issues and products as required.
• Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language.
• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Able to effectively prioritise tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to work unsupervised.