Job DescriptionJob Title: Data Center Manager - Physical Operations & Data Center Automation Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced
Data Center Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of enterprise data centers while driving automation of physical data center processes. This role is responsible for managing facilities operations, asset lifecycle, capacity planning, rack and power management, vendor coordination, and implementing automation to streamline physical infrastructure management.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM), CMDB, asset management, and workflow automation to improve operational efficiency, inventory accuracy, and service delivery.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ (On-site)
Citizenship Requirement: US Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen
Employment Type: Full-time
ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities Data Center Operations
- Manage daily operations across enterprise data centers ensuring high availability and operational excellence.
- Oversee rack installations, decommissions, server deployments, cable management, and hardware lifecycle activities.
- Manage power, cooling, space utilization, and capacity planning.
- Coordinate smart hands, field engineers, and third-party vendors.
- Develop and maintain operational procedures, standards, and documentation.
- Ensure compliance with security, safety, and audit requirements.
Physical Infrastructure Management
- Maintain accurate inventory of servers, network devices, storage, racks, PDUs, patch panels, and cabling.
- Oversee rack allocation, floor layout optimization, and capacity forecasting.
- Manage hardware refreshes, relocations, and decommissioning.
- Ensure proper asset tagging and lifecycle tracking.
Data Center Automation
Lead initiatives to automate physical data center operations, including:
- Automated DCIM updates following hardware installations, moves, additions, and changes (IMAC).
- Automated synchronization between DCIM, CMDB, asset management systems, and ITSM platforms.
- Barcode/RFID-based asset discovery and inventory reconciliation.
- Automated rack elevation and cabling documentation.
- Workflow automation for server provisioning, relocation, and retirement.
- Automated capacity reporting for rack space, power, cooling, and network ports.
- Smart Hands request automation and work order management.
- Automated audit reporting and compliance validation.
- Integration of monitoring platforms with DCIM for real-time asset status.
- Automated discovery of physical assets using APIs and network-based discovery tools.
- Develop dashboards for rack utilization, power consumption, inventory accuracy, and operational KPIs.
Process Improvement
- Eliminate manual spreadsheets by implementing automated inventory management.
- Improve data quality across DCIM, CMDB, and procurement systems.
- Standardize data center operational workflows.
- Identify opportunities for robotics, RFID, IoT sensors, and AI-assisted data center management.
Vendor & Project Management
- Coordinate hardware vendors, cabling contractors, logistics providers, and colocation partners.
- Manage data center expansion, consolidation, and migration projects.
- Track project milestones, budgets, and operational readiness.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of enterprise data center operations experience and managing physical data center environments.
- Experience managing enterprise or colocation facilities.
Required Technical Skills
- Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platforms (Sunbird, Schneider EcoStruxure, Nlyte, Device42, Vertiv Trellis, etc.)
- CMDB platforms (ServiceNow, BMC Helix)
- Asset lifecycle management
- Rack and cabinet management
- Power and cooling capacity planning
- Cable management and documentation
- Hardware inventory management
- Change and configuration management
- ITIL processes
- Vendor and contractor management
Automation Experience
Experience automating physical data center operations using APIs, scripting, workflow tools, and integrations, including:
- DCIM automation
- CMDB synchronization
- Asset discovery and reconciliation
- Rack elevation automation
- Barcode/RFID inventory automation
- Automated work order generation
- Smart Hands workflow automation
- IMAC (Install, Move, Add, Change) process automation
- Capacity and utilization reporting
- Integration between DCIM, ITSM, procurement, and monitoring platforms
- API-based automation using Python, PowerShell, REST APIs, or workflow orchestration tools
- Automated audit and compliance reporting
Preferred Skills
- Experience implementing DCIM platforms from the ground up.
- Knowledge of TIA-942 and Uptime Institute standards.
- Familiarity with structured cabling standards.
- Experience with RFID, IoT sensors, and environmental monitoring.
- Understanding of AI-driven capacity planning and predictive maintenance.
- Experience with digital twins for data center management.
Key Competencies
- Physical Data Center Operations
- DCIM Administration
- CMDB Governance
- Asset Lifecycle Management
- Capacity Planning
- Data Center Automation
- Process Optimization
- Vendor Management
- Audit & Compliance
- Operational Excellence
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Continuous Improvement
Success Metrics (First 12 Months)
- Achieve 95% accuracy across DCIM, CMDB, and physical asset inventory.
- Automate 80% of routine physical data center operations, including asset lifecycle, DCIM/CMDB updates, and work order workflows.
- Reduce manual operational effort by 50% and manual errors by 75%.
- Ensure 95%+ of IMAC requests are completed within SLA.
- Deliver real-time dashboards for capacity, rack utilization, power, cooling, and asset lifecycle.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation with zero major compliance findings.
- Improve operational efficiency through standardized processes, automation, and continuous process improvement.
- Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Facilities, IT, Security, Procurement, and vendors to support reliable data center operations.
