It operations manager

Outdoor Living Supply (OLS) is a leading wholesale distributor of outdoor living products, serving professional contractors, dealers, and customers through a growing network of locations across the United States.

We are seeking an experienced Manager, IT Operations to oversee our technology infrastructure, outsourced IT support, and service providers. This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who enjoys solving problems, improving service delivery, and making technology work better for employees.

You’ll combine technical expertise with operational leadership to keep services reliable, secure, and efficient across OLS locations while helping shape technology improvements that support our growing business.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee the performance, reliability, and availability of networks, Wi-Fi, internet connectivity, servers, cloud infrastructure, and telecommunications across all locations.
• Provide operational oversight of Microsoft 365, identity management, collaboration tools, and IT management systems administered by third-party providers.
• Identify infrastructure risks and recurring issues, and coordinate improvements that strengthen reliability, efficiency, and scalability.
• Lead infrastructure initiatives in partnership with project management, internal teams, and external providers.
• Provide technical guidance and participate directly in troubleshooting and problem resolution when needed.
• Manage relationships with managed service providers, outsourced IT support, SaaS administrators, security providers, and technology consultants.
• Establish service expectations, monitor vendor and service desk performance, and hold providers accountable for timely, effective support.
• Develop practical service standards and reporting that highlight service quality, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Support incident coordination and escalation in partnership with the teams responsible for individual systems.
• Improve support processes, automation, and self-service to enhance employee productivity and satisfaction.
• Partner with the virtual Chief Information Security Officer and security providers to implement effective security measures within assigned services.
• Advise the CIO on technology planning, vendor performance, investment decisions, and opportunities to improve costs and operational efficiency.
• Build productive relationships across IT and the business, leading improvements through collaboration and accountability.
• Demonstrate OLS’s FORTITUDE values: Fun, Optimism, Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Trust, Unity, Drive, and Empowerment.

What You’ll Bring

• At least 10 years of progressive IT experience, including IT operations, infrastructure, service delivery, and technical leadership.
• Broad technical knowledge of enterprise networking, cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365, identity management, and technology operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing outsourced IT services, managed service providers, and third-party technology vendors.
• Strong understanding of incident management, service delivery, performance measurement, and operational improvement.
• Ability to evaluate technical recommendations, challenge vendors constructively, and make sound decisions based on business needs and employee impact.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders, drive accountability, and lead initiatives across teams without direct reporting authority.
• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Experience supporting multi-location organizations, particularly distribution or retail environments, strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, with equivalent experience accepted. Relevant technical or IT service management certifications are a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $115,000-130,000 annually, commensurate with experience, qualifications, industry knowledge, and internal equity.
• Incentive Compensation: Eligible for participation in a performance-based incentive program with competitive bonus earning potential based on company and store performance.
• Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, industry knowledge, leadership capabilities, and internal equity.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Legal/ID Shield Coverage
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities

Work Environment & Schedule

This remote position requires a reliable high-speed internet connection and a dedicated, secure workspace. Work includes extensive computer use, virtual meetings, and collaboration with internal teams and external service providers. Periodic domestic travel to OLS locations, meetings, and training is required.

Standard business hours are generally Monday through Friday, with flexibility to meet business needs. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for critical incidents, system implementations, maintenance, and other business initiatives.

The position involves prolonged periods of sitting and computer work, occasional standing and walking, frequent verbal communication, and occasionally lifting up to 15 pounds.

If you enjoy combining hands-on technical work with operational leadership and continuous improvement, we encourage you to apply.

Remote consideration in the following states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, ID, MA, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA