Network and Systems Specialist

Job summary

Administer and support networks, servers, virtualization, cloud services, endpoints, and cybersecurity controls while maintaining system availability in a manufacturing environment. Support incident response, disaster recovery, IT governance, infrastructure projects, vendors, junior team members, and hands-on user support.

Job details

Barrie, ON | Hybrid Job ID 10664 Company Description This organization is a highly specialized designer and builder of advanced automation systems used in complex manufacturing environments. Known for solving intricate production challenges, they operate at the intersection of engineering precision and real-world industrial application. Their work directly impacts how products are built at scale—faster, smarter, and with greater consistency. Engineers here don’t just design components; they shape how entire production systems perform. The culture is collaborative, technically driven, and grounded in continuous improvement. Ideas are valued, initiative is noticed, and strong contributors quickly find themselves with increasing influence and responsibility. Why should you want to be part of this pioneering team? Career Growth This organization’s belief in nurturing talents and fostering individual career paths makes it an ideal place for both personal and professional development. You will have access to ongoing training, education, and mentorship opportunities to consistently upskill and advance in your career. Innovation at Its Core Being part of this team means you will always be at the forefront of automation technology. They constantly strive for innovative solutions, which will offer a chance to work on exciting projects and technologies. You will be part of a team pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in automation. Global Impact The team works on projects that have a global reach. Your work will have a real-world impact, influencing the production processes of companies across different continents and industries. Healthy Work Culture They value their employees and has fostered a culture of respect, inclusivity, and transparency. They understand the importance of a positive and stimulating work environment and consistently strive to maintain this. Financial Stability The organization has a strong financial footing and a robust client base that spans the globe. This means job stability, competitive remuneration, and a chance to work on high-profile projects. Becoming a part of this team is not just about securing a job – it’s about taking part in a mission to transform industries and redefine the future of automation. You will be welcomed into a supportive, engaging environment where you can put your skills to the test and continuously evolve. If you are passionate about technology, innovation, and making a global impact, this is the place for you. Compensation $80,000 – $96,000* Profit-sharing plan Group health and dental benefits for individuals and families Employee assistance and wellness program RRSP and deferred profit-sharing plan with company matching up to 5% Paid vacation Vacation pay accrual during parental leave Training, development, tuition, and professional fee reimbursement Partial tuition reimbursement for employees’ children Safety shoe and safety glasses reimbursement Subsidized onsite cafeteria Casual business dress environment Annual performance reviews Employee recognition program Referral bonus program for approved permanent hires *The stated compensation range reflects the full scope of the role as currently structured and is provided in accordance with pay transparency requirements. Offers are determined based on relevant experience, demonstrated skills, internal equity, and alignment with the role’s requirements. The upper end of the range is typically reserved for candidates who fully meet all requirements and qualifications outlined in this posting and the official job description. The Opportunity If you are an experienced systems and network professional who knows what it is like to support IT inside a manufacturing operation, this role offers a lot of variety and responsibility. As Network and Systems Specialist, you will work across the organization’s networks, servers, virtualization, cloud environment, cybersecurity and end-user systems. Some days will involve infrastructure projects, security initiatives or troubleshooting a complex systems issue. Others may involve working with a vendor, mentoring a junior team member or helping resolve an everyday user problem that simply needs to get fixed. Manufacturing experience is an important requirement for this position. The team needs someone who already understands that supporting IT in a manufacturing business is different from supporting a traditional office environment. System availability matters, production cannot simply stop while an issue is investigated, and IT decisions can have a direct impact on operations, employees and customers. That practical mindset is equally important when it comes to day-to-day support. This is a senior technical position, but it is not one where you become removed from everyday IT needs. The team works collaboratively, and everyone is expected to pitch in when required. That can include helping with tickets or providing hands-on user support when the helpdesk needs additional coverage. The position follows a hybrid schedule, with approximately 2–3 days per week onsite in Barrie. The systems administrators coordinate their schedules so there is appropriate in-house coverage throughout the week. You will report to the IT Manager, North America, with a dotted-line relationship to the Chief Financial Officer. There is a lot of breadth to this position. You are not being hired to look after one narrow piece of the technology environment. You will have exposure to infrastructure, networks, servers, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, business continuity and IT projects, while remaining connected to the manufacturing operation and the people who rely on those systems every day. Position Description At its core, your role will be to help keep the organization’s technology stable, secure, available and moving forward in an active manufacturing environment. Your previous manufacturing experience will be important here. You will understand the need to balance technical best practices with real-world operational requirements and recognize when a systems issue, network interruption or security concern could affect production or business continuity. You will have responsibility across infrastructure and cybersecurity while continuing to be an active member of the day-to-day IT operation. Infrastructure, Networks & Systems Administer and support network, server, virtualization, cloud and end-user computing environments. Monitor servers, systems and applications for stability, performance and availability. Identify potential issues early and take proactive steps to prevent outages and disruptions. Install, configure, maintain and upgrade computers, servers, networking equipment and related software. Troubleshoot hardware, software, systems and network issues. Support Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Windows Server and broader Microsoft environments. Work with virtualization platforms and backup infrastructure. Participate in the design and implementation of IT infrastructure for new and existing locations. Assist the ERP team with technical requirements such as database copies, upgrades and configuration changes. Support system recovery following hardware, software or infrastructure failures. Manage hardware and software inventories and support the full lifecycle of IT assets. Maintain software licensing compliance. Work within the organization’s ticketing/helpdesk system to ensure user issues are responded to and resolved appropriately. Step in to provide day-to-day helpdesk and hands-on user support when the team needs additional coverage. Provide knowledgeable and professional technical support to internal and external users. Cybersecurity & Risk Management Cybersecurity is a significant part of this role, particularly given the importance of protecting manufacturing systems, engineering information, customer intellectual property and operational continuity. Develop, implement and maintain security controls across networks, servers, cloud services, applications, endpoints and data. Apply security practices with an understanding of the risks and operational realities of a manufacturing environment. Monitor alerts, vulnerabilities and emerging threats and coordinate remediation. Co-manage firewalls, VPNs, endpoint protection, email security and network access controls. Manage patching and security updates across workstations, servers, network infrastructure and applications. Administer user accounts, permissions, multifactor authentication and privileged access. Participate in cybersecurity incident investigation, containment, recovery and documentation. Support vulnerability assessments and recommend corrective action. Participate in annual penetration testing and help ensure identified vulnerabilities are addressed. Maintain and test backup, disaster recovery and business continuity solutions. Coordinate restoration testing, disaster recovery exercises and business continuity drills. Support security audits, risk assessments, customer questionnaires and compliance requirements. Help safeguard customer intellectual property, engineering data, software and proprietary manufacturing information. Provide cybersecurity awareness training and promote sound security practices across the organization. Stay informed about changing threats, vulnerabilities, technologies and cybersecurity practices. IT Governance & Continuous Improvement You will also have an opportunity to influence how IT operates and develops over time. Developing and maintaining IT and cybersecurity policies, standards and procedures. Keeping work instructions, technical procedures and departmental documentation current. Evaluating new technologies and recommending practical improvements to security, reliability and efficiency. Contributing to IT budgeting, capital planning and technology-roadmap discussions. Participating in corporate IT projects with regional and global colleagues. Helping ensure systems and practices remain aligned with company policies, cybersecurity requirements and relevant standards. Leadership, Vendors & Administration Mentor and support junior IT team members. Help identify training and development needs. Assist with recruitment, interviewing, onboarding and training when required. Work with external IT vendors, service providers and contractors. Coordinate IT equipment and supply purchases, including purchase-order administration. Support departmental objectives, priorities and performance measures. Experience A minimum of 8 years of related systems and network administration experience. Broad, hands-on experience supporting network, server, virtualization and Microsoft environments. A minimum of 8 years of related systems and network administration experience. Previous IT systems/network administration experience within a manufacturing environment. This is a required background for the position. A practical understanding of the demands that manufacturing places on IT, including system uptime, production continuity, timely issue resolution and the need to support both operational and corporate users. Broad, hands-on experience supporting network, server, virtualization and Microsoft environments. Experience implementing and supporting cybersecurity controls within a manufacturing environment. Knowledge of network security, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, identity and access management and incident response. Experience supporting cybersecurity audits, risk assessments and compliance initiatives. Experience mentoring and developing other technical professionals. Leadership or supervisory experience within an IT environment would be an asset. Experience with IT infrastructure implementation or design for new or existing sites. Experience working with external vendors, technology partners and service providers. Just as importantly, you should be comfortable being part of a genuinely hands-on IT team. The person who succeeds here will not view user support or a helpdesk ticket as being beneath the scope of a senior position. When something needs attention, the team works together to get it resolved. Qualifications Beyond the required experience, you will bring a strong technical foundation across systems, networking, infrastructure and cybersecurity, together with the practical judgment needed to support a fast-moving manufacturing environment. Your background should include strong working knowledge of many of the following technologies or comparable platforms: Proxmox and VMware virtualization environments Cisco network switches Cisco Meraki firewalls and wireless access points Microsoft Windows Server and Windows environments Active Directory, DNS and DHCP Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 Microsoft Defender Microsoft Intune and PDQ Network protocols, technologies and data communications Firewall administration and network security Virtualization and backup technologies, including Proxmox Backup Server Microsoft Exchange Microsoft SQL and MySQL relational databases Mobile-device-management tools Linux-based systems Oracle Network-monitoring platforms such as Checkmk Dell storage systems Programming or scripting concepts You should also understand Zero Trust architecture principles and be familiar with cybersecurity frameworks and standards such as ISO 27001, CyberSecure Canada, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), CMMC/ITAR or comparable industry standards. In Addition To Your Technical Capabilities, You Will Bring An understanding of how IT availability, security and performance can directly affect production, operational continuity and the wider business. Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities. Sound judgment and the ability to prioritize competing technical, operational and business requirements. The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. A professional, service-oriented approach when supporting users and collaborating with other departments. The ability to work effectively in a fast-moving manufacturing environment while maintaining disciplined processes, security standards and documentation. A practical, team-first mindset and the ability to move comfortably between strategic infrastructure initiatives, complex technical troubleshooting and immediate day-to-day support needs. Education Post-secondary degree in Computer Science or an equivalent discipline. Additional Information Date Posted: September 28, 2026 Job Type: Hybrid, Permanent, Full-Time Industries: Metal Stamping and Machining Job Categories: Information Technology/Software Engineering Manages Others: Yes Required Travel: No Relocation Assistance: Maybe Keywords: , , Information Technology Learn More About The Recruiter John Barron, B.A. With deep roots in both the United Kingdom and Canada, John brings a rare and powerful dual-market perspective that helps industry-leading companies find the best, right-fit talent for their very important hiring needs. Serving as a cornerstone of our UK recruitment practice, he has clients both across the pond and here in North America. While his experience spans several industries and sectors, he earnestly finds manufacturing to be a most exciting, promising and diverse sector and one in which he has found particular success, forging a strong reputation for recruiting excellence. How To Apply Please click on the “Apply” button located elsewhere on this job posting (preferred) or email your resume to: [email protected] Existing Vacancy This is a critical role within the organization and, following the recruitment and selection process, the selected candidate should expect to receive an offer promptly. Use of Artificial Intelligence We do NOT use artificial intelligence to screen, rank, or select candidates. The merits of every single application will be judged by a human. AI may be used to craft correspondence or write a job posting, but never in the decision-making as to candidate suitability. About Stoakley-Stewart Consultants Stoakley-Stewart Consultants Ltd. is an Executive Search/Recruiting Firm with an impressive domestic presence and strong international reach. We opened our doors in 1977 and have grown to be one of the most successful employment agencies in Canada. We house a team of top-notch consultants, each acting as a subject matter expert in their chosen field. As a result, we provide professional recruiting services to clients and candidates in a variety of industries. This expansive breadth of experience allows us, as a firm, to satisfy all of your hiring/employment needs. Stoakley-Stewart Consultants Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience. We consider all qualified individuals for client introduction and employment opportunities without regard to characteristics protected by applicable human rights legislation. Accommodations are available upon request for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, assessment, and selection process. If you require accommodation, please advise your Stoakley-Stewart recruitment consultant and we will work with you to meet your individual accessibility needs. See ALL of our open jobs at: https://www.stoakley.com/opportunities/ What are we known for and how do we help? Helping talented professionals secure new, exciting, and rewarding career opportunities Treating each unique individual with professionalism, respect, and integrity Meeting your distinct needs by matching you with the right corporate culture Follow Us for the Latest Jobs, Career Advice and Job Market Trends

What you’ll do

Administer and support networks, servers, virtualization, cloud services, endpoints, and cybersecurity controls while maintaining system availability in a manufacturing environment. Support incident response, disaster recovery, IT governance, infrastructure projects, vendors, junior team members, and hands-on user support.

Requirements

Requires at least eight years of systems and network administration experience, including IT administration in a manufacturing environment, plus broad hands-on experience with infrastructure, Microsoft environments, and cybersecurity. A post-secondary degree in Computer Science or an equivalent discipline is required, along with strong troubleshooting, communication, prioritization, and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Profit-Sharing Plan
• Group Health and Dental Benefits
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Program
• RRSP and Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan with Company Matching
• Paid Vacation
• Vacation Pay Accrual During Parental Leave
• Training, Development, Tuition, and Professional Fee Reimbursement
• Partial Tuition Reimbursement for Employees’ Children
• Safety Shoe and Safety Glasses Reimbursement
• Subsidized Onsite Cafeteria
• Casual Business Dress Environment
• Annual Performance Reviews
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Program

Listed skills

• Microsoft Azure · Preferred
• systems administration · Preferred
• Active Directory · Preferred
• Microsoft 365 · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Network Administration
• Systems Administration
• Manufacturing IT Support
• Cybersecurity
• Microsoft Windows Server
• Active Directory
• Microsoft Azure
• Microsoft 365
• Virtualization
• Network Security
• Disaster Recovery
• Incident Response
• Firewall Administration
• Vulnerability Management
• Vendor Management
• Technical Mentoring

Job areas

• Technology
• Manufacturing
• Security & Safety
• Management & Leadership

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