BI Data Analyst (Finance)

Identifies high priority needs, captures those needs as requirements / user stories, and works with the FP&A teams to deliver effective BI & S&OP solutions; becoming immersed in data and analytics to help solve business problems.

Essential Positons Responsibilities - This is a salary exempt role

Customer Advocacy. Look at every problem and our solutions in the eyes of our business partners. Works with stakeholders in all business units to formulate scope and objectives for new Business Intelligence initiatives. Partners with business stakeholders and business engagement managers to prioritize, analyze, define and manage backlog by gathering enhancement and helping with BI project requests as the business analytical needs evolve. Develops and maintains working relationships with business leaders/strategy owners and advises executive roles through objective metrics of progress and recommended directional changes to current and future state.

Leads the BI solution by developing business specifications for BI and analytics development or enhancements and by being the key interface between business users and data warehouse engineers. Defines project requirements by identifying key deliverables, phases, and acceptance criteria, and translates those requirements into BI solutions. Formulates and defines business scope and objectives through research and fact-finding combined with an understanding of business and industry requirements. Leads dynamic & interactive requirements gathering sessions with stakeholders throughout the enterprise. Leverages findings and recommendations from Analytics, User Experience, and Development teams. Develops functional requirements documentation in the form of user stories, process flows, and user acceptance criteria. Supports QA and UAT efforts. Prototypes/produces system documentation data models, data flows, reports, scorecards, and dashboards. Manage requirements volatility, integrity and continuity via change management and re-prioritization as well as work closely with product management and IT. Analyzes the current business environment to detect critical deficiencies and identify improvement opportunities as it relates to business intelligence and analytical work.

Serves as a subject matter expert for BI and analytics platforms. Responds to BI and analytics platform questions and troubleshoots efforts by having a thorough understanding of the business processes and flows, thereby enabling the analysis of business requirements and the development of solutions for the business functions. Assists the different business unit teams with defining best practices for BI & analytics solutions and providing recommendations on proposed solutions. Improves offerings, processes, methodologies, and supports business development efforts. Understands and translates the business strategy, business goals and business processes into a BI and analytics solution. Researches, analyzes, and recommends solutions which meet the business needs for new business partner requests. Analyzes business requirements, explores, and evaluates various options, configures the application to meet requirements and coordinates testing with QA and User acceptance testers.

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues, e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons' established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain IS Project Manager familiarity with the systems and this position's role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property. May travel via car or plane to various work locations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by visiting facility.

Travel: Approximately 10% travel, including travel to Simmons facilities, one to two offsite classes or conferences per year, and to Toronto Office. Must have or be able to obtain a passport.

Technical Experience: 8+ years' experience as a Business Analyst / Data Analyst or similar role for Business Intelligence projects. Experience with business intelligence tools and the ability to create report mockups. Experience using SCRUM/Agile methodologies with enterprise-level application projects.

Industry Experience: Preference for food processing organization.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering or related field, or 4 years related experience.

Preferred Education: MS degree in Information Services or in Computer Science.

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