Deputy Director- LAN/WAN

Overview The Deputy Director, Global Network Services, leads and mentors cross-functional teams responsible for Global LAN, WAN, & Wireless. This role drives digital transformation, network automation, and operational excellence across PepsiCo’s global infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and performance for mission-critical systems. Responsibilities Network Strategy & Operations Lead SRE for global network platforms (LAN, WAN, Wireless, Hyperautomation). Drive NOC 2.0 and AIops initiatives, enhancing observability and incident detection. Implement self-healing bots and hyperautomated self-service for requests and changes. Bring in AI initiatives to drive agentic AI for network operation Oversee network transformation projects: zero-touch networking (SASE), OT-IT integration, WAN simplification, next-gen wireless. Ensure compliance with security, configuration, and governance standards. Stakeholder & Vendor Management Manage relationships with IT teams, business partners, and service providers. Lead RFPs, vendor negotiations, and contract management for multi-million dollar projects. Review provider contracts for deliverables and compliance. Participate in vendor selection, contract compliance, and performance reviews. Continuous Improvement & Governance Bring in DPMO and Six Sigma or similar practices to reduce incidents and improve service quality. Deliver productivity improvements and cost optimization initiatives. Plan and manage annual operating budgets ($25M+). Support IT governance, planning, and resource optimization. Leadership & Team Development Build and lead high-performing technical teams across geographies. Promote DevOps culture, agility, and continuous improvement. Mentor and develop talent, fostering innovation and accountability. Align team efforts with PepsiCo’s vision and values Qualifications Technical Requirements Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. 14+ years in IT, including 5+ years in network infrastructure leadership. 5+ years managing cross-functional or outsourced teams. Expertise in WAN, LAN, cloud, and data center networks. Strong knowledge of SDN, SD-WAN, SASE, zero trust, micro-segmentation, and intrusion prevention. Proficiency in Ansible and python automation Experience with AWS, Azure, Cisco, Palo Alto, HP/Aruba. Proficiency in routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), IPv6, VPNs. Hands-on experience with high-speed campus/property networks and ISP diversity. Ability to produce technical documentation and network diagrams. Preferred: Advanced degree (MS, MBA, etc.). 18+ years managing global network teams and large-scale deployments. Experience managing budgets over $15M and cost-reduction programs. Certifications (CCIE/CCNP Devcor, ITIL, Six Sigma). Experience with vendor RFPs, sourcing, and managed services. Strong communication and influencing skills across technical and executive audiences. Management Competencies Vision-driven leadership and change management. Strategic planning and execution. Problem-solving and decision-making. Professional demeanor and resilience under pressure. Building cohesive, high-performing teams. Driving results through planning, monitoring, and accountability. Managing complex initiatives across global environments. Customer-centric mindset and stakeholder engagement. Global perspective and cultural sensitivity. Coaching and developing team members. Structuring teams and processes for scalability. Promoting continuous learning and innovation. Deep technical acumen and business alignment.