SENIOR SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR (HEAD OFFICE)
Ict & Computer Jobs
- Southsea Investments Pvt Ltd
- Expires 21 Apr 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
We are seeking a senior-level IT professional to take full ownership of our technology operations across a multi-site retail network. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep expertise across ERP systems, network infrastructure, security, and database administration.
The successful candidate will be the primary technical authority for our Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central environment — including LS Central retail extensions — and will be responsible for ensuring the stability, performance, and continuous improvement of all IT systems that underpin our retail operations.
This role demands someone who is equally comfortable writing a SQL query to investigate a transactional anomaly, configuring a firewall policy, and communicating technical findings clearly to senior management. Resourcefulness, methodical thinking, and a bias for action are essential.
Duties and Responsibilities
ERP Administration — Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central & LS Central
• Serve as the primary system administrator for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (on-premise), including all configuration, user management, and functional support across Finance, Purchasing, Inventory, and Retail modules.
• Administer LS Central retail extensions, including POS terminal management, item and pricing configuration, replenishment, and store operations support.
• Manage and optimize the Adjust Cost – Item Entries job and cost adjustment processes to maintain accurate inventory costing across all locations.
• Oversee Business Central upgrade projects, including compatibility assessment of custom AL extensions and coordination with implementation partners.
• Translate business requirements into effective system configurations, workflow improvements, or escalations to external BC/LS Retail partners.
• Produce and maintain functional documentation, user training materials, and change management communications related to ERP updates.
SQL Server Database Administration
• Administer Microsoft SQL Server instances supporting Business Central, including performance tuning, index maintenance, and capacity planning.
• Manage database backup schedules, recovery procedures, and disaster recovery readiness — verifying restores regularly.
• Investigate and resolve database-level issues such as blocking, slow queries, table bloat, and log growth affecting ERP performance.
• Support UAT database provisioning, including data reduction, anonymization, and environment refresh processes.
Network & Infrastructure Management
• Administer and maintain all network infrastructure across a multi-site retail network, including LAN, WLAN, WAN, and SD-WAN/VPN connectivity between branches.
• Manage Ubiquiti UniFi wireless infrastructure (access points, switches, controllers/OS Server) across all sites.
• Oversee server infrastructure including physical and virtualized environments (Proxmox, Hyper-V), ensuring high availability for business-critical systems.
• Administer Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy across the organization.
Security Management
• Administer Sophos XGS Next-Gen Firewalls across all sites, including firewall rules, IPS policies, VPN configuration, and firmware management.
• Manage Sophos Central Endpoint Protection across all devices, ensuring policy compliance, threat response, and up-to-date definitions.
• Implement and enforce IT security policies, access controls, and best practices to protect company data and retail systems.
Systems Administration & Monitoring
• Maintain Windows Server environments (2016/2019/2022), including patching, performance monitoring, and capacity management.
• Deploy and manage monitoring solutions to ensure proactive visibility of infrastructure health, backup status, and critical services.
• Manage IT asset lifecycle across all sites — procurement, deployment, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Development & Automation
• Develop and maintain internal tools, scripts, and automation to improve operational efficiency — including PowerShell, Python, or Node.js solutions.
• Build and support integrations between Business Central and other business systems where required.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, open-source tooling, or self-hosted solutions appropriate for the business environment.
Team Leadership & Documentation
• Lead and mentor junior IT staff, providing technical guidance and structured escalation paths.
• Produce and maintain comprehensive documentation for all IT systems, processes, and procedures — including network diagrams, and DR plans.
• Act as the primary liaison with external vendors, ISPs, and software partners.
Qualifications and Experience
Experience
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in IT systems administration or a comparable senior IT role.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience administering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in a production environment — this is a mandatory requirement. Candidates without verifiable BC experience will not be considered.
• Experience with LS Central (LS Retail) or a comparable retail ERP/POS platform is highly advantageous.
• Proven track record managing multi-site network infrastructure in a retail or similarly distributed environment.
Technical Skills — Required
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: functional administration, module configuration (Finance, Inventory, Purchasing, Retail), user management, and troubleshooting.
• Microsoft SQL Server: query writing (T-SQL), index maintenance, backup/restore, performance analysis.
• Active Directory: user and group management, GPOs, DNS, DHCP.
• Networking: TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, WAN/VPN technologies.
• Sophos XGS Firewalls: configuration, rule management, VPN, and threat analysis.
• Sophos Central Endpoint Protection: policy management, threat response.
• Windows Server (2016, 2019, 2022): administration, patching, performance tuning.
• Ubiquiti UniFi: wireless and switching infrastructure administration.
Technical Skills — Advantageous
• LS Central administration (POS configuration, replenishment, retail workflows).
• Scripting or development experience: PowerShell, Python, AL/C/AL, or JavaScript/Node.js.
• Virtualization: Proxmox VE, VMware, or Hyper-V.
• Containerization: Docker / Docker Compose.
• Microsoft Azure or M365 administration.
• Monitoring tools: CheckMK, Zabbix or similar.
Personal Attributes
• Methodical and analytical — investigates data before acting; does not guess.
• Resourceful — able to devise pragmatic solutions under real-world constraints.
• Precise communicator — able to document findings and explain technical issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Self-directed — manages multiple concurrent priorities with minimal supervision.
• Collaborative — works constructively with vendors, business users, and colleagues.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS
• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator or related M365 certification
• Sophos Certified Engineer or Sophos XGS Firewall certification
• CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+
• CCNA or equivalent networking certification
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CVs to hr@southsea.co.zw with title Senior Systems Administrator not later than Tuesday 21 April 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
