Network & Systems Administrator - Cold Chain Logistics

Our client is a leading cold chain logistics and temperature-controlled supply chain organisation, operating across warehousing, transport hubs, and distribution centre environments. The business supports mission-critical logistics operations where system reliability, secure connectivity, infrastructure performance, and operational uptime are essential to customer service, product integrity, and compliance.

They seek an experienced Network & Systems Administrator will be responsible for maintaining, securing, and optimising the organisation's IT infrastructure across all cold chain logistics sites. This includes support for networks, servers, cloud platforms, end-user systems, IoT monitoring devices, and operational technology used in temperature-controlled warehousing.The role will ensure reliable connectivity and system performance to support critical business and operational functions, including WMS, TMS, temperature monitoring, automation systems, and 24/7 operations across chilled and frozen environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, configure, and monitor LAN/WAN environments, firewalls, switches, wireless access points, and VPN solutions.
• Perform network performance tuning, usage analysis, security hardening, and ongoing optimisation.
• Maintain network documentation, including diagrams, IP schemas, VLANs, routing rules, and configuration records.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues across warehouses, offices, cold rooms, and transport hubs to ensure maximum network uptime.
• Support wireless connectivity and infrastructure performance in industrial, chilled, and frozen operating environments.

Systems Administration

• Administer Windows and/or Linux servers, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy.
• Manage virtualisation platforms, including VMware and/or Hyper-V.
• Perform routine system updates, patching, maintenance, monitoring, and security compliance tasks.
• Maintain file servers, print servers, application servers, and core infrastructure services.
• Ensure system availability, performance, and reliability for business-critical and operational applications.

Cloud & SaaS Infrastructure

• Support and administer Microsoft 365 services, including Azure AD, Exchange Online, Intune, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Assist with cloud migrations, identity integrations, hybrid environments, and infrastructure modernisation projects.
• Monitor cloud resource utilisation, security alerts, service performance, and availability.
• Support endpoint management, access control, user provisioning, and device administration through Microsoft cloud platforms.

Security & Compliance

• Maintain and enhance endpoint protection, firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security appliances.
• Conduct periodic access reviews, vulnerability checks, patch compliance activities, and infrastructure security assessments.
• Assist in implementing security frameworks, backup strategies, disaster recovery plans, and infrastructure controls.
• Respond to security alerts and incidents in line with established incident response processes.
• Support compliance requirements related to system access, infrastructure security, and operational continuity.

Backup, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

• Manage backup systems, retention policies, backup monitoring, backup testing, and recovery processes.
• Ensure rapid and reliable recovery of systems, applications, and business-critical data.
• Participate in disaster recovery drills, business continuity testing, and documentation maintenance.
• Support infrastructure resilience across multi-site cold chain operations.

Technical Support & Operations

• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 support for escalated IT incidents, service requests, and infrastructure issues.
• Support end users, operations teams, site-based teams, and mobile workforce users.
• Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes, including user accounts, equipment, access rights, and system permissions.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, configuration guides, and knowledge base articles.
• Work closely with operations, warehouse, transport, engineering, and support teams to resolve system and connectivity issues.

Project & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in and support infrastructure projects, including network upgrades, server refreshes, cloud adoption, cybersecurity improvements, and site technology rollouts.
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend improvements to enhance reliability, performance, security, and cost efficiency.
• Support the implementation of monitoring tools, automation, and standardised infrastructure processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across IT operations and cold chain technology environments.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in network administration, systems administration, or infrastructure support roles.
• Experience supporting logistics, warehousing, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, or multi-site operational environments is highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing, switching, VPN technologies, and network troubleshooting.
• Experience managing LAN, WAN, WiFi, firewalls, switches, wireless access points, and secure remote access solutions.
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and general server administration.
• Experience with VMware and/or Hyper-V virtualisation platforms.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 administration, including Exchange Online, Azure AD, Intune, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Familiarity with firewalls and security appliances such as Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco, or similar technologies.
• Experience with monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, PRTG, or similar infrastructure monitoring platforms.
• Knowledge of backup systems, disaster recovery processes, endpoint protection, patch management, and vulnerability management.
• Familiarity with IoT monitoring devices, operational technology, warehouse systems, WMS, TMS, automation platforms, or cold chain technology environments will be highly regarded.
• Scripting experience, particularly PowerShell, is advantageous.
• Relevant certifications are advantageous, including Microsoft, Cisco CCNA/CCNP, Fortinet NSE, VMware VCP, or ITIL Foundation.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and stakeholder support skills.
• Ability to work in a mission-critical, multi-site operating environment where system uptime and reliable connectivity are essential.