PROFILE 
An effective communicator at all levels within an organisation, with strong IT knowledge, business acumen, project management and analytical skills. Proactive in identifying opportunities where IT and process change can enable better business decisions.
 
CAREER HISTORY 

[snip] (Part of [snip] plc)                                                   1998 – 2006 

[snip] manufactures and delivers leading brands such as Bisto, Sharwoods and McDougalls to the catering industry, achieving annual sales turnover of £70m. Technologies included: Microsoft NT/2000/2003/XP, MS Office, iSeries, Lotus Notes, Cognos, LAN/WAN, Watchguard Firewall 

IT Manager 

Reporting to Finance Director and part of the Company Leadership Team, managing six permanent staff and holding full responsibility for all aspects of IT for both [snip] and sister company [snip] GB. Key achievements included: 

• Managed transition to [snip] Group I.T solution for both [snip] & [snip] working to tight deadlines, adapting to changing requirements and resolving conflicts of interest. Sub projects cover LAN/WAN, Intel, iSeries, Lotus Notes, Desktop, user profiles and first line support. A full audit of hardware, software, licenses, networks, user profiles and skills resource was undertaken and gap analysis performed to identify required actions for each project. Risk and costs analysis was undertaken to validate each work stream then detailed plans of actions compiled and assigned to individuals. Regular progress reviews, reporting, logs of risks and issues were maintained to manage the projects. 
• Replaced ageing laptop and desktop hardware with new IBM equipment totalling 130 machines. This required analysis and cost justification to achieve budgetary approval from Board members, then planned rollout to end users. 
• Managed implementation of IT Disaster Recovery strategy including definition of requirements after agreeing acceptable risk levels to the business, supplier selection, implementing best practice, successful periodic testing and review of procedures. 
• Defined and managed Department budget delivering savings in excess of 5%. 
• Identified new suppliers and maximised relationships with existing suppliers to ensure optimum delivery of equipment and services to the business. 
• WAN upgrade between company sites and to internet. Required cost analysis, supplier identification and negotiation, planning, testing, performance monitoring and ongoing review. 
• Specified and implemented helpdesk system to record and manage support incidents. This assisted resolution of recurring issues and statistical reporting delivering a more stable IT environment to the business.

Infrastructure Manager 

Reporting to Finance Director and working alongside Business Analyst Team Leader. Managed two direct reports to control and support the company I.T infrastructure. 

Delivered numerous significant infrastructure projects including: 

• Intel – Server hardware & operating system upgrades. Backup solution upgrade
• iSeries – Upgrade from model 400 to 720. Identified and quantified the requirement, proposed business case to obtain approval, identified & negotiated with suppliers, planned upgrade process, executed then reviewed. Project was a huge success and exceeded the planned three year life of the hardware delivering savings in excess of £30k by deferring the need to upgrade.
• Upgrade of iSeries backup hardware and disk upgrades. Required concise planning for scheduled downtime to implement.
• Lotus Notes server hardware, Domino application and 170 client upgrades from V4.6 to V6.5.
• Implementation of Watchguard firewall and subsequent upgrades to maintain internet security.
• Warehouse Management System upgrade. Required management of third party supplier to deliver business benefit through enhanced software.
• Managed transition of 120 company mobile phones to alternative provider to deliver 20% cost saving. The transfer took place on the same day and was completed without any unplanned downtime.

Technical Support & Development Team Member 

• Operated & supported IBM AS/400 running  JBA ERP and EDI applications.
• Supported and administered Microsoft NT network and Lotus Notes.
• First and second line support of desktops and laptops. Included defining standard desktop build and rollout procedure.
• Documented existing procedures & developed new ones to improve operational standards.
• Provided support and guidance for users.

[snip]                                                                    1994 – 1998 

Office supplies retailer operating 59 superstores nationally. Sales revenue £98m in 1998. 

I.T Operations Analyst                                                                         1995 – 1998

• Managed daily I.T operations for the business, controlling data transfers between Head Office, warehouse and all retail superstores.
• As part of project team implemented automated Data Control System to improve communications between Head Office & stores. This significantly reduced man hours required to resolve communications issues and improved data integrity for business reporting.
• Managed operation of IBM AS/400 computers including backup strategy.
  Administered Novell Network.
• WAN management using ISDN router connections to retail superstores.
• PC configuration, hardware and software installation for 200 users.
• Microsoft Mail administration and maintenance.

Purchase Ledger Clerk                                                                        1994-1995 
Day to day running of purchase ledger for stock going into stores & distribution warehouse. Matching of invoices, resolving all purchase related queries, performing accounts reconciliations & processing payments.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING 

• Introductory Diploma in Management, Level 4. Institute of Leadership and Management. 
• RAMP – RHM Approach to Project Management. A derivative of PRINCE2 methodology used within the [snip] Group. 
• YMDP – RHM Group Young Managers Development Programme. Twenty five days residential training for high potential employees. Modules covered included: Management Toolkit, Communicating for Success, Influencing For Results, Working Successfully with Others, Cost Control & Planning for Profit, Running a Business. 
• Communicating for Success, Influencing for Results, Running a Business, Working Successfully With Others, Effective Writing Skills, Cost Control & Planning for Profit, Resolving Conflict. 
• Microsoft NT / network / TCP IP design, installation and management. 
• Lotus Domino 6 Infrastructure Management. 
• Watchguard firewall and internet security. 
• IBM AS/400 System Operator. 

EDUCATION
Reading College. BTEC National Diploma in Business Studies 
Highdown School, Reading. Nine GCSE’s – English, Maths, Science (double award), English literature, French, German, History, Design and Realisation. 

INTERESTS 
Sport, travel, DIY and the great outdoors.