Universal Forest Products Inc

Lead SOC Analyst

Universal Forest Products Inc • $90K — $120K *
Grand Rapids, MI 49504In-Person
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in a SOC, incident response, or cybersecurity operations role.
  • Proven experience leading incident investigations and managing escalations.
  • Experience working with a managed detection and response (MDR) provider (preferred).
  • Strong understanding of security operations tools (SIEM, XDR, EDR, SOAR platforms).
  • Experience with detection tuning, threat hunting, and log analysis.
  • Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and coordinate incident response activities across IT, infrastructure, and application teams.
  • Perform advanced threat hunting, incident analysis, and root cause determination.
  • Serve as the primary operational liaison with our MDR provider.
  • Develop, document, and maintain SOC standard operating procedures (SOPs), playbooks, and runbooks.
  • Communicate security incidents, risks, and trends to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Mentor and develop analysts through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned to industry best practices and organizational goals.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on teamwork and communication.
  • Support for skill development through mentorship.
  • Hands-on involvement in security operations and incident response.
  • Access to cutting-edge security technologies and tools.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

The Lead SOC Analyst is responsible for leading the daily operations of the Security Operations Center (SOC) while actively participating in threat detection, investigation, and response activities. This role operates in a player/coach capacity, balancing hands-on incident response with team leadership, process development, and SOC maturity initiatives.

The Lead SOC Analyst serves as the primary point of coordination between the internal SOC and external managed detection and response (MDR) provider, ensuring effective monitoring, escalation, and response to security events. This role is also responsible for developing and maintaining SOC processes, playbooks, and documentation to improve the organization's overall security posture.

This role reports to the Manager of Cyber Defense.

Location: this role must work on-site, full-time out of our Grand Rapids, MI office

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

SOC Operations and Incident Response
  • Act as the senior escalation point for security incidents, providing hands-on investigation and response.
  • Perform advanced threat hunting, incident analysis, and root cause determination.
  • Lead and coordinate incident response activities across IT, infrastructure, and application teams.
  • Validate and enrich alerts generated by internal tools and external MDR provider.
  • Ensure timely containment, remediation, and closure of security incidents.


MDR Vendor Management
  • Serve as the primary operational liaison with our MDR provider.
  • Manage day-to-day interactions including alert triage alignment, escalation handling, and service quality.
  • Review MDR detections, investigations, and recommendations for accuracy and relevance.
  • Identify and drive improvements in detection coverage, alert fidelity, and response processes.
  • Participate in regular service reviews and ensure deliverables meet organizational expectations.


SOC Leadership and Team Development
  • Provide technical leadership and guidance to SOC analysts.
  • Lead daily SOC operations including prioritization of alerts, workload management, and escalation decisions.
  • Mentor and develop analysts through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing.
  • Establish expectations for investigation quality, documentation, and response timelines.
  • Support hiring, onboarding, and skill development of SOC team members.


SOC Maturity and Process Development
  • Develop, document, and maintain SOC standard operating procedures (SOPs), playbooks, and runbooks.
  • Identify gaps in SOC processes and implement improvements to increase consistency and effectiveness.
  • Define and track SOC metrics and KPIs (e.g., MTTR, alert volume, false positives, escalation rates).
  • Standardize incident documentation and evidence collection to support audit and compliance requirements.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned to industry best practices and organizational goals.


Detection Engineering and Monitoring
  • Collaborate with engineering and security teams to improve detection logic and use cases.
  • Develop and tune detection rules within SIEM, XDR, and MDR platforms.
  • Identify gaps in logging and telemetry and work with teams to onboard required data sources.
  • Ensure monitoring coverage for systems handling sensitive or critical data.
  • Contribute to threat modeling and detection strategy development.


Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Communicate security incidents, risks, and trends to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Provide clear and concise reporting on incident outcomes and lessons learned.
  • Partner with infrastructure, application, and business teams to improve security practices.
  • Support audit, compliance, and risk management activities as needed.


Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in a SOC, incident response, or cybersecurity operations role.
  • Proven experience leading incident investigations and managing escalations.
  • Experience working with a managed detection and response (MDR) provider (preferred).
  • Strong understanding of security operations tools (SIEM, XDR, EDR, SOAR platforms).
  • Experience with detection tuning, threat hunting, and log analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop SOC processes, playbooks, and operational documentation.
  • Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Defender XDR, and/or similar platforms.
  • Experience working in a hybrid SOC model (internal + MDR).
  • Familiarity with compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, CMMC).
  • Relevant certifications such as CISSP, GCIA, GCIH, or equivalent.


About Universal Forest Products Inc

Since 1955, there’s one thing that Universal Forest Products has consistently done: grow. We’ve grown our brand portfolio. We’ve grown our product lines. But, most importantly, we’ve grown our reputation—based on our commitment to grow brands by delivering the absolute best products and service possible. Not only because it’s what you expect, but also because it’s what we demand. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with facilities throughout North America, Universal Forest Products is strategically positioned to deliver a wide variety of products to nationwide retailers that cater to both consumers and contractors. Universal Forest Products is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for the retail, construction and industrial markets. To explore all our products, like our outdoor living products or our framing services for the site-built market or our forming products for concrete construction.

Universal Forest Products Inc Careers

Join the dynamic team at Universal Forest Products Inc, a leader in the wood product manufacturing industry, and propel your career to new heights. As part of our commitment to innovation and leadership, we are continuously seeking skilled professionals eager to drive growth and embrace challenges in a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Why Work with Us?

At Universal Forest Products Inc, you are not just taking a job; you are embarking on a fulfilling career. We offer a range of job opportunities that allow you to utilize your skills, from entry-level positions to leadership roles. Our team is our greatest asset, and we invest in their growth through comprehensive training programs and professional development opportunities.

Explore Our Job Opportunities

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Universal Forest Products Inc offers a variety of career paths in areas such as operations, sales, marketing, and technology. Our internship programs provide a robust foundation for students and recent graduates, offering hands-on experience and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment.

Our Culture and Benefits

At Universal Forest Products Inc, we pride ourselves on a culture that fosters innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We understand that job satisfaction extends beyond the workplace, which is why we offer competitive benefits that enhance the lives of our employees and their families. From health and wellness programs to retirement plans, we ensure our team members are supported both personally and professionally.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career with Universal Forest Products Inc? Explore our current openings and find the position that matches your skills and interests. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, ensuring that all candidates can showcase their strengths from the resume submission to the interview stage.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is integral to our company ethos. Universal Forest Products Inc is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We believe that diversity drives innovation and makes our team stronger.

Develop Your Career

Universal Forest Products Inc is dedicated to the continuous professional development of our employees. With access to cutting-edge training and leadership programs, you can expand your knowledge, enhance your skills, and take on new challenges within the company.

Stay Connected

Don’t miss out on the exciting career opportunities at Universal Forest Products Inc. Stay updated with the latest company news, job openings, and industry insights by joining our career network. Tailor your job alerts to match your career preferences and be the first to know about new positions that fit your profile.

Apply Now

Are you ready to make a significant impact in your career and help shape the future of the wood products industry? Apply today and join a team that values hard work, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. At Universal Forest Products Inc, your future is in your hands.

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Embark on your journey with Universal Forest Products Inc and transform your professional life in a company that values growth, leadership, and diversity.
Learn more about Universal Forest Products Inc
Size
15,000 employees
Market Cap
$4.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$246.7 million
Founded
1955
5 Year Trend
+21.7%
Revenue
$5.1 billion
NASDAQ
UFPI
* Ladders Estimates

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