Data Center Inventory & Asset Technician Manager

As a Microsoft Data Center Inventory & Asset Technician Manager (DIAM), you will lead a team of Inventory & Asset Management technicians across "multiple Data Centers" responsible for inbound/outbound logistics tasks, inventory cycle audits, and Data Center regulatory compliance activities. You will guide your employees to effectively run warranty processes and data bearing device (DBD) destruction. This opportunity will allow you to model leadership principles, drive focus on accurately and efficiently completing Inventory and Asset Management (IAM) tasks, and work with stakeholders to manage escalations.

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a CO+I DIAM, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. As a group, CO+I is focused on the personal and professional development of all employees and offers training and growth opportunities including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion training and events, and professional certifications.

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 200 Data Centers in 32 countries and millions of servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide.

With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our data center design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

Required Qualifications

• Graduate with 5+ year(s) experience warehouse/supply chain in an information technology (IT) environment, inventory management, retail, warehouse management, logistics, or a related field.
  • OR equivalent experience.

Background Check Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ year(s) experience in warehouse/supply chain in an information technology (IT) environment, IT, and/or logistics, operating heavy-load movement equipment (e.g., forklift, pallet jacks, chassis lifts) for a large corporation
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ year(s) project management experience.
• Certification in American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)/Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), International Association of Information Technology Asset Managers (IAITAM), Inventory Control, OR equivalent.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Ensures that all issues are documented, tracked, discussed, and resolved with internal and external stakeholders as well as suppliers with consistent and complete communication. Acts as a resource across Data Center teams (e.g., Site Services, Critical Environment, Facility Management, Security, Vendors, Safety, Supply Chain), and supports Microsoft and non-Microsoft gear deliveries. Drives focus on accurately and efficiently completing Inventory and Asset Management (IAM) tasks through a team up to headcount cap. Engages with internal and external stakeholders, maintaining relationships with vendors and providing oversight, to manage issues.

Data Bearing Device (DBD) Destruction

• Ensures all data bearing devices (DBDs) are destroyed within the allotted time, and all data bearing devices leaving premises do not contain customer information. Handles any escalations. Coordinates with and oversees any third-party vendors who perform DBD destruction as necessary, managing external vendor relationships. Maintains responsibility for any security investigations, partnering with security and senior leadership. Oversees data bearing devices (DBD) reconciliation and review of current documentation. Oversees decommissioning servers, ensuring proper documentation of actions taken against a decommissioning workflow and process standards are met.

Inbound and Outbound Logistics

• Leads a team of technicians responsible for preparing and executing incoming/outgoing deliveries and documenting inbound/outbound packages (e.g. purchase order [PO] receiving, Rack Movement Supervisor [RMS] activities) based on site-class designation. Responsible for overall day-to-day operations and ensures inbound and outbound measuring processes are running smoothly and effectively and inventory parts are properly stored. Ensures items logged within Intelligence Communication Manager (ICM) are resolved and deals with the escalated issues. Creates more efficient receiving routes, driving the movement of manual communication and information sharing to automated processes, managing the change.

IT Inventory Management

• Leads a team of technicians responsible for providing support guidance to third-party personnel, including material movement (e.g., inventory management/tracking, inventory staging), inventory cycle audits, and Data Center regulatory compliance or certification control audit activity. Enables strategies for space optimization, driving identification of opportunities to improve inventory to address space constraints, driving new build design and availability of inventory or storage rooms. Ensures escalations are resolved, and clears blocking issues to enable continued delivery of Inventory and Asset Management (IAM) activities.

Operational Excellence

• Serves as subject matter expert and models compliance to less experienced team members. Creates clarity and drives consistency in processes and services to align with defined policies and procedures in order to meet expectations for accuracy and timeliness of delivery. Drives improvement of delivered results against Service Level Agreements (SLAs), increasing efficiency of processes leading to Objective Key Results (OKRs). Collaborates with internal stakeholders to influence workstreams towards a more simplified and/or automated approach by evolving processes, services, and solutions to increase efficiency and manage costs. Drives environmental sustainability and zero waste initiatives. Ensures completion of required security and data management training and complies with security and data management procedures/policies. Oversees training for relevant site-specific procedures and tools (e.g., forklift, pallet jacks, technician on-hand processes, inventory maintenance software, RMA portals, Rack Movement).

People Management

• Managers deliver success through empowerment and accountability by modeling, coaching, and caring. Model: Live our culture. Embody our values. Practice our leadership principles. Coach: Define team objectives and outcomes. Enable success across boundaries. Help the team adapt and learn. Care: Attract and retain great people. Know each individual’s capabilities and aspirations. Invest in the growth of others.

Safety Practices

• Runs daily safety topic huddles and conducts inspections of equipment (e.g., vehicles, pallet jacks, dock levelers). Manages and coordinates any escalated task risks and reported issues, establishing safety standard operating procedures for new equipment (e.g., server rack tugs, electric pallet jacks, forklifts). Trains employees on safe and effective equipment and inventory moving. Ensures team and 3rd party vendors are in compliance with Microsoft Corporation safety standards Procures, audits, and reviews personal protective equipment (PPE), leading by example of all safety standards. Presents Identity and Access Management (IAM) metrics to senior leaders. Supervises rack movement, observing to ensure compliance with safety protocols and training others on devices and tools used in rack movement. Oversees handling and storage of hazardous materials and chemicals, developing plans to address unsafe materials out of containment and ensuring preparedness of others, and acting as a point of escalation.

Tactical Shift Management

• Supports the planning, management, and communication of end-to-end project plans with applicable stakeholders and teams. Assesses resource and workflow patterns to determine any needed changes in work assignments regarding long-term headcounts and project resources to ensure timelines are met and work is completed accurately and efficiently. Resolves escalated issues during high-volume work activity or escalation-based situations, participating in high severity meetings.

Warranty Process Management

• Drives the direction to make sure the expectations are met handling high-level escalations. Empowers less experienced employees to effectively process Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) and non-RMA warranties. Oversees manual return processes for non-RMA failed parts. Oversees and plans for large-scale replacement projects for upgrading or refreshing equipment. Works with internal stakeholders as needed related to finances around incorrectly handled RMA and non-RMA warranties.

Other

• Embody our culture and values

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.