Manager IT Systems Engineering

Overview

As our Manager IT Systems Engineering, you will be responsible for providing leadership and accountability for the architecture, engineering, and operation of enterprise infrastructure platforms supporting mission‑critical business systems. This role directs the design, delivery, and reliability of distributed and enterprise systems-including Windows and Linux servers, virtualization platforms, storage, backup and recovery, and cloud services, ensuring secure, scalable, and highly available environments. This role is responsible for operational excellence, disaster recovery, capacity planning, cost optimization, and continuous modernization aligned with corporate strategy and growth objectives.

Role is on-site in Omaha, Nebraska.

Detailed Description

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Lead the architecture, implementation, and operation of enterprise systems across on‑premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. Establish, document, and enforce engineering standards, procedures, and best practices. Ensure systems are secure, stable, compliant, and aligned with corporate security and privacy policies. Oversee incident, problem, change, capacity, and performance management processes consistent with ITIL principles. Direct system troubleshooting, operational support, and escalation resolution as needed. Build and sustain a high‑performing team culture emphasizing accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Develop and execute team and individual performance plans, including skills development and cross‑training. Partner with Enterprise Architecture and other IT teams to plan and deliver current and future infrastructure initiatives. Plan, coordinate, and oversee the acquisition, deployment, and lifecycle management of hardware, software, and cloud services. Manage vendor relationships, contracts, renewals, and service performance in partnership with Finance and Procurement. Ensure disaster recovery, backup, and resiliency strategies are documented, tested, and continuously improved. Identify and remediate single points of failure to improve system availability and reliability. Drive infrastructure optimization initiatives including virtualization, automation, and cloud adoption to improve efficiency and reduce cost. Monitor system performance, capacity, and utilization to support business growth and availability targets. Develop and report meaningful operational and performance metrics to IT leadership. Maintain accurate budget forecasts and manage infrastructure spend within approved plans. Support all PCI and regulatory compliance activities, audits, and remediation efforts. Maintain strong communication and working relationships with IT leadership and business stakeholders. Participate in on‑call rotation and provide leadership during critical incidents and outage response. Comply with all company policies, procedures, and attendance requirements, including in‑person collaboration needs.

Marginal Functions

Provide input and recommendations to IT steering committees and governance forums. Participate in change advisory board (CAB) reviews and planning activities. Mentor team members and support career development and succession planning. Contribute to enterprise capacity planning and long‑term infrastructure roadmaps. Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

Here's what you need to join the fun:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of PCI DSS and other applicable regulatory, security, and compliance requirements.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and professionally to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis and practical solutions.
• Ability to translate abstract or complex technology challenges into effective, business‑aligned solutions.
• Demonstrated self‑motivation, accountability, and commitment to team success in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and business partners.
• Experience partnering with business leaders to define, scope, and deliver strategic technology initiatives.
• Ability to develop and present clear, well‑reasoned recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership capability in coaching, developing, and managing technical staff to achieve operational and strategic goals.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
• ITIL Foundation certification preferred; comparable service management experience considered.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading and developing high‑performing IT or systems engineering teams.
• Strong experience delivering large‑scale enterprise infrastructure implementations and migrations in on‑premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.
• Demonstrated expertise with Distributed Systems, including Windows Server platforms, virtualization (VMware and/or Hyper‑V), enterprise storage, backup, and disaster recovery.
• Proven experience supporting Enterprise Systems, including Linux platforms, application infrastructure, middleware, containers, and associated automation.
• Working knowledge of data center and cloud architectures, including SAN switching, Active Directory, and AWS (preferred).
• Experience identifying, mitigating, and remediating security, availability, performance, and reliability risks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives while providing clear technical and people leadership.
• Strong understanding of IT lifecycle management, including asset management, budgeting and forecasting, vendor and contract management.

Join us at Oriental Trading, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, where fun means business!

Oriental Trading Company (www.orientaltrading.com), is the nation's largest direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys and novelties, and a leading provider of teaching supplies and affordable home décor and giftware. Founded in 1932 by a Japanese American, the Oriental Trading history of fun spans the better part of the last century. Today, Oriental Trading offers more than 60,000 products to individuals, teachers, schools, churches, businesses and nonprofits. With a corporate vision to "Make Life More Fun," Oriental Trading (a Berkshire Hathaway company) spreads joy and smiles to millions each year through a robust family of brands; Oriental Trading, Fun Express, MindWare, SmileMakers, Morris Costumes and halloweenexpress.com.

EOE