About Company
Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe, particularly through its Hippo Valley Estates operation in Chiredzi, is a leading agricultural company in Southern Africa, primarily involved in sugar cane cultivation and sugar production. With a rich history spanning decades, we are deeply rooted in the communities where we operate, contributing significantly to economic development and social upliftment. Our operations are complex, modern, and rely heavily on robust and efficient IT infrastructure to support everything from field operations and processing plants to administrative functions and logistics. We are committed to technological advancement, operational excellence, and fostering a collaborative, innovative work environment for our diverse workforce. Join us and be part of an organization that feeds the nation and empowers its people.
Job Description
Are you a seasoned Network Engineer seeking a challenging role with the flexibility of remote work, yet the opportunity to engage with critical on-site infrastructure when needed? Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe, through its Hippo Valley Estates in Chiredzi, is looking for a talented and dedicated Network Engineer to join our dynamic IT team. This pivotal role involves designing, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting our extensive network infrastructure across various operational sites, including our vast agricultural estates and processing facilities. While we embrace a ‘remote option’ approach, allowing for significant flexibility, there will be instances requiring your physical presence in Chiredzi for hands-on diagnostics, hardware installations, and critical issue resolution. You will be instrumental in ensuring the high availability, security, and performance of our network, supporting critical business operations that underpin our entire production chain. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who thrives in a complex, fast-paced environment and is passionate about leveraging technology to drive business success in a crucial industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain scalable, secure, and highly available network architectures.
- Configure and troubleshoot network hardware, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, and VPNs.
- Monitor network performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to optimize network efficiency and reliability.
- Manage and maintain network security, including intrusion detection/prevention systems, access controls, and vulnerability assessments.
- Develop and enforce network policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Provide expert-level support for network-related issues, collaborating with other IT teams and vendors.
- Plan and execute network upgrades, migrations, and disaster recovery initiatives.
- Conduct regular network audits and capacity planning.
- Stay abreast of emerging network technologies and best practices, recommending appropriate solutions.
- Occasionally travel to Chiredzi sites for hands-on network equipment installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Required Skills
- Proficiency in TCP/IP, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), and switching technologies (VLANs, STP).
- Strong experience with enterprise-grade firewalls (e.g., Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, FortiGate).
- Expertise in network security principles and best practices.
- Experience with Wi-Fi technologies and wireless network design.
- Familiarity with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, PRTG, Zabbix).
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively in a hybrid team environment.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or equivalent certification.
- Experience with cloud networking (Azure, AWS) concepts.
- Knowledge of industrial control systems (ICS) networks.
- Prior experience in the agricultural or manufacturing sectors.
- Familiarity with ITIL framework.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Flexible remote work options.
- Opportunity to work on large-scale, impactful infrastructure.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- Supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Contribution to a vital national industry.
- Access to modern tools and technologies.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their comprehensive resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications. Please highlight your experience with hybrid work models and your ability to travel to Chiredzi for on-site requirements. Click on the link below to apply for the job.