Business Analyst, Merchandising

The Merchandising Business Analyst is the main liaison between IT and the Merchandising business unit at Tractor Supply Company. This responsibility includes developing a strategic IT road map, prioritizing projects and guiding the Merchandising business unit through the company wide IT project prioritization process.  The Business Analyst will develop and maintain process maps for critical business functions, ensuring users are trained on their technology solutions; gather, document and analyze functional requirements for systems development, ensure business unit resources are scheduled for participation in required IT related activities and communicate with users and senior business unit management the status of IT activities and services. The Business Analyst is responsible for maintaining the IT business relationship and coordinating both projects and IT support for the Merchandising area. This individual will apply proven management, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills to help maximize the benefit of IT system investments for their assigned business unit.

 Primary Duties: 

 

·  Collaborate with the business function to lead the development of multi year IT plan.  The Business Analyst is expected to recommend a portfolio of projects that meets the objectives of the Merchandising team, is aligned with overall company strategy and balances project risk and project size.

·  Develop and conduct monthly business unit leadership meetings to review current project portfolio and major enhancement and support issues.

·  Periodically present IT Road Map to broad audiences including IT department presentations, business unit presentations and presentations to senior management.

·  Ensure that IT supported business projects have proper end user participation in the requirements definition process with a goal of minimizing changes in scope and requirements late in the systems development lifecycle.

·  Lead the selection of new business software applications to include the development of RFPs; vendor communications, reviews, demonstrations and selection.

·  Maintain strong functional knowledge of business application used to support the Merchandising function.

·  Develop and maintain business unit process maps.  Be the EXPERT regarding business process within Merchandising.

·  Develop business cases for IT investments on behalf of supported business unit, to include financial and operational models.

·  Maintain relationships with software vendors and maintain an active role in user groups for software applications that support your business unit.

·  Develop post implementation benefit analysis to ensure business case realization

·  Evaluate end user training needs and deliver or coordinate the delivery of needed training.

·  Own the process of gathering, documenting and analyzing business functional requirements for new business unit functionality.  This process is to include working directly with assigned business unit team and IT experts for requirements elicitation, documenting requirements using flow charts, uses cases and UML models, reviewing documented requirements with users and IT for final sign off.

·  Conduct research into emerging application software products that support business unit and company strategic objectives

·  Recommend software improvements and upgrades.

·  Develop and utilize standard templates to accurately and concisely document requirements and functional specifications.

·  Review and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems and develop strategies for improving or further leveraging these systems.

·  Prepare and deliver reports, recommendations, or alternatives that address existing and potential problem areas in IT systems across the organization.

·  Collaborate in the planning, design, development, and deployment of new applications, and enhancements to existing applications.

·  Coordinate and perform in-depth tests, including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems, and other post-implementation support.

·  Provide orientation to end users for all modified and new systems.

·  Manage and track the status of requirements throughout the project lifecycle; enforce and redefine as necessary.

·  Performs other duties as assigned by a supervisor.

 

 Education and Experience:

 

·  Bachelor degree in the field of computer science or software engineering or equivalent, and a minimum of 8+ years equivalent work experience.

 

Essential Skills:

 

·  Will be expected to perform a variety of complicated tasks and lead and direct the work of others. Is expected to have a leadership role on major projects. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected as part of the job performance and will need to rely on judgment and experience to accomplish goals. 

·  Experience in leading others who are not direct reports and working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

·  Strong functional knowledge of software products used to support retail Merchandising business functions.

·  Strong functional knowledge of retail merchandising business processes.

·  Proven experience in overseeing the direction, development, and implementation of software solutions.

·  Strong knowledge of system and software quality assurance best practices and methodologies.

·  Understanding and experience in project management and exposure to project management methodologies is preferred.

·  Understanding of Software Development Lifecycle methodologies as adopted by the organization.

·  Ability to document functional business requirements using multiple methods including flow charts and use cases

·  Strong and diverse communications skills.  Ability to translate technical to non-technical and vice versa.  Ability to make presentations to varying sized groups and to every level of management (including senior executives).

·  Flexible and adaptable in regards to learning and understanding new technologies.

·  Excellent written and oral communication skills.

·  Excellent interpersonal skills.

·  Ability to conduct research into software-related issues and products.

·  Technically proficient.

·  Highly self motivated and directed.

·  Keen attention to detail.

·  Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.

·  Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.