Job Description

Job Category: Information technology
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Key Responsibilities

• Ensure high availability, performance, and security of all network infrastructure including LAN, WLAN, WAN, Data Centres, and Internet services.
• Develop and execute strategic technology roadmaps for Network and Security Infrastructure in collaboration with external partners and industry experts.
• Ensure that developed plans are realistic, comprehensive, kept up to date and revised where necessary, i.e. Project planning, resource planning, support planning.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to align network infrastructure with business growth and digital transformation goals.
• Demonstrate strong financial acumen: Oversee Opex and Capex budgeting, analyze cost drivers, ensure cost-effective operations, collaborate with finance teams to align network investments with business objectives, evaluate ROI on technology initiatives, and support strategic decision-making through accurate forecasting and financial analysis.
• Manage and mentor a larger team of internal staff and external contractors, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Establish and maintain strong vendor relationships to maximize value and drive innovation through strategic partnerships.
• Ensure 24/7/365 monitoring, incident response, and proactive maintenance of the network infrastructure.
• Lead disaster recovery planning and implementation for network services.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, data protection regulations, and internal policies.

Scope of Operations

• Support approximately 7,000 users at Head Office and 3,500 stores across 950 lines in South Africa and other African countries.
• Maintain connectivity to 7 distribution centres, 3 manufacturing warehouses, 4 regional offices.
• Manage a complex network built using multiple ISP clouds for redundancy.
• Oversee three data centers housing approximately 1,200 servers and a WAN spanning across multiple geographical regions.

Security Responsibilities

• Manage enterprise perimeter firewalls, web application firewalls, and other security devices to protect internal infrastructure and ensure secure external access.
• Oversee secure internet browsing and endpoint protection across the organization
• Implement and maintain intrusion detection and prevention systems.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity frameworks.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in managing large-scale enterprise network and security infrastructure.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Proven ability to interpret financial data, manage budgets, and make data-driven investment decisions to maximize value and efficiency.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong expertise in managing Cisco, Fortinet, Arista, or similar enterprise-grade networking platforms.
• Good working knowledge WAN, LAN, WLAN, data centre networking, and security technologies.
• Experience with capacity planning, demand forecasting, and infrastructure design.
• Excellent vendor management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to stay abreast of emerging technologies and translate them into strategic initiatives.
• Lead network-related projects such as store rollouts, data center migrations, and infrastructure upgrades.

Desirable Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to operate in a geographically dispersed and technically complex environment.
• Proven ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, value, and respond effectively to the needs and concerns of team members.
• Committed to the success and well-being of their team by building a supportive, high-performing environment where people thrive.

Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.
About Us:
Who we are is because of our people. They are our greatest asset. TFG is an internationally diversified retail portfolio of 34 speciality lifestyle and apparel brands that Inspire our Customers to live their Best Lives and are woven into the lives of millions. Our vision is to create the most remarkable omnichannel experiences for our customers. TFG is more than a workplace, it's a launchpad for your growth. Join us and explore endless growth opportunities across our diverse brands. We're a purpose-led business, and on this team, you'll share the pride of making an impact across a whole industry.
We're the designers, the makers, the shakers and the teams behind the scenes.
Are you with us?
About the Team: At TFG, technology is the silent engine behind fashion, financial services, and our factory floors. Our Infotec team builds the platforms that power over 3,600 stores and millions of customer moments. From cloud-native retail applications to AI/ML deployments, we solve real-world retail problems at scale. Whether you love engineering, data, architecture, or innovation at the edge-we have room for your kind of talent. Let's build something enduring together.

Skills Required