Open to opportunities

Rain Draken

@raindraken

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IT manager and systems specialist delivering hardware, network, and software solutions.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I seek a senior IT role leading infrastructure, systems and network projects, improving security and automation, managing IT budgets and mentoring teams; preference for remote-friendly, growth-focused companies valuing reliability and problem-solving.

I am an experienced IT manager and systems specialist with a background leading IT operations and product development across small and medium businesses, currently serving as a managing partner and previously as head of IT. I deliver practical solutions in hardware, networking, systems administration and client-facing IT services.

My technical breadth includes database design and administration, server maintenance, virtualization (Hyper-V, VMware), networking (TCP/IP, DHCP, subnetting, switches, routers), programming (Java, C#, Python, JavaScript, VBA), WordPress/WooCommerce site administration, email and phone system management (3CX), security tools and disaster recovery planning. I have developed IT products, managed IT budgets, implemented backups and data recovery, and run remote support and hosting services.

I am a reliable problem-solver who values clear communication, documentation and measurable results; I bring hands-on troubleshooting, project management and systems-design experience and am ready to lead infrastructure and operations or contribute as a senior technical specialist in a remote-friendly, growth-oriented environment.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Managing Partner

Current

Luna Solari Group

Mar 2020 - Present (5 years 5 months)

Led IT product development, IT hardware sales and AI invoicing while managing client and supplier liaison to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

IT Sales WooCommerce WordPress Invoicing Supplier Management SEO Product Development

Head of IT

Azochem Laboratories

Jul 2015 - Mar 2022 (6 years 8 months)

Led IT operations and infrastructure, managing servers, virtualization and backups while supporting desktop and remote users to maintain system availability.

Windows Server MySQL SQL Server Hyper V VMWare Network Administration 3CX

Dispenser

Azochem Laboratories

Mar 2015 - Jul 2015 (4 months)

Handled raw materials batching and hygienic processing, maintained accurate production records and liaised with storeroom and laboratory to meet tight production deadlines.

Quality Control Inventory Management Production Documentation Storeroom Liaison Compliance

Shop Manager

DC Hardware

Aug 2013 - Mar 2015 (1 year 7 months)

Managed retail operations, supplier relationships and inventory control while handling invoicing, customer queries and pricing to optimize store performance.

Inventory Management Sales Invoicing Excel Risk Assessment Stock Control

Managing Director

Luna Solari

Feb 2013 - Jun 2013 (4 months)

Directed company operations, negotiated client contracts and led recruitment and website/CAD design efforts to deliver client projects and services.

Contract Negotiation Recruitment CAD Website Design SEO Microsoft Office Project Management

Managing Director

Dragon Employment Services

Nov 2012 - Feb 2013 (3 months)

Managed labour-hire operations including client relations, recruitment and dispute resolution, improving placement efficiency and client satisfaction.

Labour Hire Recruitment Client Relations Negotiation HR Compliance Outsourcing Employee Screening

Loss Prevention Officer

Macro Crown Mines

Sep 2011 - Nov 2012 (1 year 2 months)

Conducted loss prevention activities including stock checks, sealing high-risk areas and producing reports to prevent theft and fraud across the store.

Loss Prevention Inventory Control Reporting Incident Management

Commodities Supplier

Luna Solari

Sep 2008 - Dec 2010 (2 years 3 months)

Managed B2B purchasing and supplier negotiations, handled invoicing and website management while maintaining client and supplier relationships for commodity sales.

Purchasing Contract Negotiation Invoicing B2B Sales SEO

Maintenance 2IC

Caxton Works

Aug 2007 - Aug 2009 (2 years)

Supervised the maintenance team and performed printing press repairs and servicing to ensure continuous newspaper production and equipment reliability.

Printing Press Maintenance Team Supervision Machine Repair Troubleshooting

Business Dispatcher

Chubb Monitoring

Mar 2002 - Oct 2007 (5 years 7 months)

Dispatched and coordinated reaction units across multiple regions, liaised with emergency services and managed control-room communications to ensure timely responses.

Dispatch Coordination Time Management Client Communication

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

INTEC College

Professional Certificate, Computer Programming

2016 -

Completed a Computer Programming Professional Certificate covering Java programming, information systems, system analysis and design, project management, and programming algorithms, including Sun Certified Java training.