Job Summary

Job Description

The Manufacturing Network Lead provides technical guidance for network projects and initiatives and is primarily responsible for leading the Network Manufacturing team to ensure the effective delivery of services to the manufacturing space. This role requires a solution-oriented individual with experience in the design, configuration, management, and deployment of enterprise and operational technology networks. Additionally, the position demands IT generalist experience, encompassing a broad range of skills across various areas of information technology. The Manufacturing Network Lead will collaborate with manufacturing teams, vendors, and IT teams to provide expert guidance on technology solutions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Expertise & Leadership:

• Serves as a Network Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the manufacturing space.
• Leads and mentors team members, providing technical guidance and support.
• Acts as a point of escalation for network and IT infrastructure issues.

Network Infrastructure Management:

• Designs, configures, deploys, and maintains LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, cloud, and network security solutions.
• Develops strategies for network growth and optimization, ensuring efficient use of switches, routers, wireless infrastructure, and firewalls.
• Analyzes performance data, identifies issues, and provides solutions for network stability and efficiency.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Builds strong relationships across Manufacturing Systems, IT teams, vendors, and business stakeholders.
• Engages in regular meetings and presentations to communicate technical solutions effectively.
• Works closely with manufacturing engineers and plant IT teams to optimize connectivity for industrial control systems (ICS) and IoT devices.

Process & Documentation Development:

• Creates and maintains essential process documentation, including functional/technical designs, network diagrams, SOPs, and training materials.
• Documents project requests, including benefits, costs, estimated timelines, and stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement & Business Support:

• Drives continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Challenges the status quo, proactively identifying and addressing technical challenges.
• Ensures effective issue resolution across multiple technical teams, acting as a “quarterback” when necessary.

Training & Team Development:

• Provides training and coaching to team members for professional growth.
• Ensures technicians understand their roles and responsibilities in delivering network services.

Operational Support & Security:

• Participates in off-hours support rotation for critical network resources.
• Stays up to date on emerging IT and network security trends, incorporating best practices where appropriate.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent training and experience.
• Technical certifications such as CCNA, Security+, and Azure certifications are preferred.

Work Experience

• 5+ years of experience in network administration, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Experience in Manufacturing/Operational Technologies.
• Experience and knowledge of infrastructure and cybersecurity technologies and concepts, including servers, firewalls, network switches, network segmentation, vulnerability assessment, and risk management.
• Experience with cloud networking and hybrid network architectures is a plus.
• Experience implementing SD-WAN solutions is a plus.
• Experience in developing architecture diagrams and work statements.
• Experience in network automation and orchestration using tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Puppet.
• Experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., LogicMonitor, LiveAction, Wireshark) and cybersecurity best practices.
• Knowledge and experience using project management tools and practices, work process analysis, improvement processes, and systems development methodology.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Expertise in Cisco technologies preferred.
• Excellent comprehension of IP networking and routing fundamentals, with recent hands-on experience in a Cisco environment using advanced technologies.
• Understanding of the infrastructure landscape, including cloud and virtualization.
• Experience managing large, cross-functional projects with multiple teams.
• Skilled in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting Cisco networks.
• Knowledge of industry best practices for infrastructure design and management.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a desire to collaborate with internal and external business/technical teams.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills, creativity, attention to detail, and oral and written communication skills tailored to the intended audience.
• Detail-oriented with an analytical mindset.
• Working knowledge of ITSM/ITIL practices.
• Ability to work at any Chicagoland-area facility as needed.
• Up to 5% overnight travel required.
• Provide global support in person and remotely across local regions, including the US, Canada, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC.
• Spanish Speaking is a plus.
• Confluence and JIRA experience a plus.

Medline Industries, LP, and its subsidiaries, offer a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization.

The anticipated salary range for this position:

The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s location, education, experience, skills, and abilities. This role is bonus and/or incentive eligible. Medline will not pay less than the applicable minimum wage or salary threshold.

Our benefit package includes health insurance, life and disability, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, etc., for employees working 30 or more hours per week on average. For a more comprehensive list of our benefits please click here. For roles where employees work less than 30 hours per week, benefits include 401(k) contributions as well as access to the Employee Assistance Program, Employee Resource Groups and the Employee Service Corp.

Every day, we’re focused on building a more diverse and inclusive company, one that recognizes, values and respects the differences we all bring to the workplace. From doing what’s right to delivering business results, together, we’re better. Explore our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page here.

Medline Industries, LP is an equal opportunity employer. Medline evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.