Warren Van Niekerk

IT Support Specialist | IT Operations Manager | Helpdesk Support Manager

Gauteng, South Africa

About

➤ 15+ years’ experience managing IT teams, developing and supporting client IT infrastructure ➤ Focused on ensuring optimal performance of client IT systems, excellent service delivery and execution of projects, prioritising timelines and delivering on requirements ➤ Skilled at technology and IT infrastructure assessment, having taken clients from non-existent to thriving IT environments ➤ A motivated and balanced mentor and leader who removes barriers to delivery and ensures all project stakeholders are active and focused ➤ Excels within a high-performance culture, where the customer/client is always a priority IT: Microsoft 365 | Window 7,8,10 | Windows Servers 2003/2008/2011 | Back Up | XP Operating Systems | HP UX | TCP/IP | IPX | INTEL compatible hardware – SCSI, RAID disk subsystems

Experience

  • IT Support Specialist at WREConsulting
    Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

    2012 own new start-up providing IT and consulting services, with all round IT administration, installing and project management service delivery ◆ Client Relationship Management • Secured, negotiated and partnered with a key contract to provide support to all their clients • Working within agreed service level parameters (SLA) to ensure robust resolution of all IT matters • Engaging with clients to agree scope of works, budget and timelines • Project planning and roll out with clients – agreeing on floor plans, cabling, where to place equipment etc • Retaining relationships to further provide consultancy on IT expansion plans and IT infrastructure upgrades ◆ Overview of Contracts and Services Provided • Windows Upgrades – (up to 600 users) planned, managed and executed numerous windows upgrade projects – backup of data, reimaging of laptops to client specs, setup of user accounts • Acting as a full-time engineer for numerous outsourced IT departments – providing desktop support to +850 users – all hardware, back-ups, installation of servers etc • Windows Server upgrades including security configuration, creating user accounts, files and print shares • Primary contact for any IT related queries • Domain administration, server management, WAN and LAN management, cabling infrastructure, network management, Microsoft 365 installations ◆ Operations Management • Sources own sub-contractors for installation projects • Further outsources content writing for website development, retaining final sign off and communication with clients • Invoicing and admin management for all internal requirements • Update of ERP systems and own client database ◆ Achievements • Secured a key contract and consistently met SLA requirements with their clients – Experian, Mattel and ABB • Took clients from non-existent IT infrastructures to fully functioning, capable management of their own IT environments including training to staff in IT positions

  • IT & Technical Director at Etronix
    Sep 2005 - Dec 2017 · 12 yrs 4 mos

    Initially employed to manage the technical afters sales and repair team, promoted to IT and Technical Director in (2017) ◆ Team Management • Up to 2013 managed, mentored and led a team of 10 printer technicians (large format HR printers) • Post 2013, recruited a specialist, international team onsite team of 6 technical engineers to manage contracts in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa • 360 management – setting of targets, KPIs, performance management, recruitment, disciplinary and exits, deployment of tasks and review of project status, achieved SLA, successes, challenges and improvements required • Conducting daily meetings (remote) to establish status of projects, escalated solutions • Continual upgrade of product knowledge, generating outstanding levels of after sale service, troubleshooting, resolutions etc ◆ Operations Managed • Responsible for the service delivery and management of domain administration and end user support across 6 national sites • Telephonic support provision for 250 end users • Retained full responsibility for 1 branch totalling 120 users ◊ P&L ownership, costs & expenditure management, set sales targets and forecasts, profit analysis ◊ Drove sales, reviewed and reduced lost opportunities and built a highly capable branch talent pool • Report compilation and analysis of all completed, pending, outstanding tasks and escalations • Retained communication with all key clients and leverage relationships for further opportunities • Knowledge gap analysis and provision of training and development