Foster Farms has been a family-owned and operated company for four generations. Since our founding days back in 1939, we have always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. The hope is that our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our people will shine through in everything we do.

We are always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms team. We offer the experience of a large organization, but operate like a family business. More than half of our job openings are filled by internal promotion, and we encourage employees to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups.

PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

This position is responsible within the AIX Systems environment functions for the:

1. Baseline support and enhancement; including monitoring, maintenance, support, improvement and integration of assigned server, operating systems, storage/backup/recovery and infrastructure-based products (Infrastructure Functions) in the Foster Farms computing environment. 

2. Solution selection and implementation of new vendor-supplied and/or in-house developed software, hardware, operating system, database, storage/backup/recovery and security solutions (Infrastructure Solutions) within assigned Infrastructure Functions.

The System Engineer II (SE II) will work closely with IT staff and end users to provide effective and efficient business solutions in the assigned Infrastructure Functions. This position will monitor and analyze assigned Infrastructure Solutions to determine the optimum configuration and design of the Foster Farms Infrastructure environment. This requires a certain degree of creativity and latitude. 

The SE II may also play a role in establishing and enforcing standards relating to the use of assigned Infrastructure Functions .  

PROBLEM ANALYSIS/RESOLUTION:

This position has moderate authority to take the necessary steps to resolve system outages within the assigned Infrastructure Functions environment(s) in a timely fashion. This could include arranging support from vendors, directing efforts of other IT staff or escalating to other IT management as appropriate. Insure assigned Infrastructure Functions are efficient, effective and secure. For assigned functions and solutions this position will be responsible for forecasting utilization/growth of production/test environments and insuring appropriate controls/ security is in effect to protect Foster Farms from adverse situations or catastrophe (insure system backup/recovery and disaster recovery systems are in place and functioning properly). This role will also document and share system fixes with fellow support staff.  

TECHNICAL TASKS:

The SE II will analyze and resolve high impact problems and issues which occur in company systems. In addition, the SE II will create instructions and establish guidelines to perform the functions of the job. The SE II will develop and maintain a moderate understanding of the design and program functions included in systems configurations. Maintain/enhance Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) for all assigned Infrastructure Functions. Monitor all systems/solutions for compliance with these SLA’s. Maintain/enhance change control policies, processes and procedures and monitor for compliance with these change control policies and procedures. This role will also make recommendations that are used in setting overall department direction.  

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

Coordinates and controls the technical activities associated with moderately complex initiatives. Insure detailed task plans are consistently developed and utilized, in conjunction with the Foster Farms Systems Development Methodology, for all assigned projects to insure their accurate and timely completion. Routinely communicates status of activities to project managers and IT management.

INTERACTION /COMMUNICATION: 

The SE II will effectively communicate technical directions with IT management and staff. This role also will maintain strong working relationships with peers, vendors and IT staff through interpersonal and written communication.

LEADERSHIP:

Present a positive, optimistic and upbeat image working to build up the IT Team in support of the overall Foster Farms Team. Consistently has the company’s best interest as the primary objective. Inspire respect and trust while building and maintaining partnership relationships with other members of the IT Team and business. The SE II will assist in developing skills of less experience systems engineers through effective technical leadership and coaching.  

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: 

• Works with all levels of IT staff and internal users to provide technical support. May interact with external IT suppliers, IT professional organizations and peers in other organizations. Develops productive working relationships with all customers, peers and external suppliers. 

• This position requires consistent demonstration of all IT values as defined by IT Management: Leadership, Communications, Integrity, Teamwork, Caring and Professionalism, and a Make IT Happen Attitude.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Moderately complex, high impact systems engineering duties within assigned Infrastructure Functions including:

• Systems integration, evaluation, upgrade, support, rollout, and standards

• Systems administration, monitoring, performance tuning and systems documentation

• Train IT and user staff 

• Project Management of moderately complex initiatives

• Evaluate and recommend tool sets

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE FOR ALL SYSTEMS ENGINEER II POSITIONS

• 4 – 6 years of industry experience 

• BS in Computer/Management Information Systems, Computer Science or equivalent experience

• Knowledge of and moderate experience with scripting

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive responsibility supporting Infrastructure Solutions within assigned Infrastructure Functions.

• Minimum of 4 years experience in IT infrastructure support within assigned Infrastructure Functions.

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive engineering responsibility in assigned Infrastructure Functions.

• Must be goal and results oriented and have strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making ability.

• Must have experience enabling change with experience on high impact projects.

• Demonstrated ability to teach/mentor and educate staff within assigned functions, and other IT systems capabilities and best practices.

• Demonstrated ability to teach/educate self in the infrastructure arena, both within assigned functions and outside of assigned functions.

• Must possess solid critical thinking skills with the capability to envision creative solutions to moderately complex and challenging business/infrastructure process/system issues.

• Very good interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to communicate effectively with management, users, staff and team members, both written and verbal.

INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR ALL SYSTEMS ENGINEER II POSITIONS

• Experience with assigned enterprise infrastructure technologies

• Experience in solution installation, configuration, testing, trouble shooting and repair

• Experience with disaster recovery technologies

• Interface with vendors to arrange maintenance/repair of IT assets

END-USER/APPLICATION SUPPORT FOR ALL SYSTEMS ENGINEER II POSITIONS

• Business perspective, seeing IT as business-driven, rather than technology-driven

• Ability to travel and work from home in order to provide 24 x 7 support

• Strong service orientation with a desire to help others

• Experience working with consultants, contract programmers and software vendors

FOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER II – SERVER/OPERATING SYSTEMS POSITIONS – SPECIFIC – SERVER ADMINISTRATION 

• 3+ years experience in enterprise-level Server installation, configuration, testing, trouble shooting and repair on x86 and Power platforms

• 3+ years experience in administering enterprise infrastructure systems (such as: MS Active Directory and Exchange, AIX/Unix systems)

• 3+ years experience enterprise level operating systems platforms (such as Windows Server, VMware, AIX, Linux); especially in a virtual environment

• Experience with administration of enterprise storage, backup/recovery, disaster recovery solutions

• Experience with High-Availability data center design, implementation and support solutions

• Experience with administering database platforms (such as MS SQL Server, Oracle, etc.)

• Knowledge of System Engineering - Design Principles 

• Prefer experience with Server automation and monitoring tools

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

1. Master’s Degree 

2. 5+ years of IT experience working in a manufacturing organization for a $1+ billion organization.

3. 5+ years of experience in Infrastructure Services

4. Experience supporting Infrastructure Services in an SAP/ERP environment

5. Experience with server virtualization

6. Industry certification (s) to include:

a. Server/Operating Systems Position:

i. MCSA, MCSE, VCP, VCA,

ii. IBM CSA-AIX, IBM CSE

7. Possess the ability to move up within the organization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must have reliable transportation

2. Must have/able to obtain CA drivers license

3. Must be able to travel over night occasionally

4. Must be able to have consistent attendance in assigned office

5. Must be able to sit for long periods of time.

6. Must be able to drive to various company and vendor locations

7. Must be able to work on the computer for long periods of time

8. Must be able to deal with periodic high stress situations

9. Must be able to stay calm and focused when dealing with difficult personnel issues.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new employees.