Network Architect

Position Summary

We’re looking for a seasoned Network Architect to take ownership of how our networks are designed and scaled across our corporate offices, manufacturing sites, and the cloud. This person sets the standards for LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, and Azure networking, making sure connectivity is secure, reliable, and consistent. This role partners closely with infrastructure, security, and our site/plant teams to keep production environments running, and ensures that hybrid connectivity to Azure (VNets, ExpressRoute, VPN) support day-to-day operations while reducing risk.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Enterprise Network Architecture & Strategy:

• Define and maintain the enterprise network architecture roadmap across LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, and cloud connectivity, ensuring alignment with business and operational objectives.

• Establish and govern standards for network design, segmentation, performance, redundancy, and scalability across on-premises and cloud environments.

• Lead enterprise network modernization initiatives, including upgrades, consolidation, and adoption of next-generation networking solutions.

Manufacturing & Operational Technology Support:

• Design secure, resilient network connectivity models for manufacturing plants and operational technology (OT) environments.

• Partner with plant engineering teams to ensure reliable, production-grade network support for manufacturing operations.

• Implement segmentation and Zero Trust principles between IT and OT networks.

Cloud & Hybrid Networking:

• Architect and govern secure network integration with cloud platforms, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Azure Virtual Network (VNet) architectures.

• Design and support hybrid connectivity models including ExpressRoute and site-to-site VPN, ensuring secure and performant connectivity between on-premises environments and Azure.

• Enable cloud-based services supporting ERP systems, data platforms, and global collaboration tools through well-designed Azure networking foundations.

Network Security & Compliance:

• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement secure, defense-in-depth network architectures, including:

  • Firewalls and perimeter security

  • Network Access Control (NAC)

  • Segmentation and micro-segmentation

  • Secure remote access and VPN

• Ensure network designs align with industry standards (NIST, ISO 27001) and manufacturing compliance requirements.

Global Connectivity & Site Networking:

• Design and support network connectivity across a distributed, multi-site enterprise, including:

  • Corporate headquarters

  • Manufacturing plants

  • 3PL warehouses

  • International offices

• Own WAN and ISP strategy, including carrier selection, redundancy planning, and performance optimization.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Serve as the technical authority for network architecture decisions, initiatives, and escalations.

• Provide architectural guidance to network engineers and managed service partners.

• Participate in infrastructure governance, change management, and IT strategic planning.

Operational Excellence:

• Ensure network monitoring, observability, and proactive performance management standards are defined and followed.

• Drive high-availability and disaster-recovery network design across on-premises and Azure environments.

• Maintain clear, consistent architecture documentation, standards, and procedures for global teams.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience.

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in network engineering and architecture.

Knowledge, Skills, & Talents

Strong expertise in enterprise networking, including:

• Routing & Switching (BGP, OSPF, MPLS)

• SD-WAN architectures

• Wireless networking (enterprise Wi-Fi)

• Network segmentation and security

• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing or industrial environments

Working Conditions

Ability to Travel predominantly our United States manufacturing sites and globally as needed.

Pay and Benefits

The estimated base pay range for this position is:  $110,000 - $170,000 annually.  Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location.  This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive program.

Vantage offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Medical, HSA, dental, vision

• FSA (limited purpose, dependent care, and commuter/parking)

• Life and AD&D insurance

• Accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance

• Short- and long-term disability

• EAP, identity theft protection

• Paid time off, Parental Leave

• 401(k) with company match

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantage is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. 

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers’ technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.

We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you’ll be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here.  For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.