Sr SAP Systems Analyst

  • Full-time
  • Sub-Department: Infrastructure Operations
  • Department: IT
  • Site Location: Minneapolis

Company Description

When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We're not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It's in our DNA. We've turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world's largest meat snack business, that's still proudly family owned and operated.

We're a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It’s a journey we share with you. It’s the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

 At Jack Link's Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World’s #1 Protein Snack Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link’s Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MATADOR Jerky, BiFi and Peperami.

Job Description

As a Senior SAP Systems Analyst specializing in Demand and Supply Planning, you will play a lead role in configuring and optimizing SAP S4/HANA modules to meet global business requirements. In this role, you will be an integral part of a team that is transforming the protein snacks industry and making a global impact through technological innovation. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and international team, continuously learning and developing new skills while deploying critical planning solutions

The role requires a blend of technical expertise/leadership, business acumen, the ability to influence and effective communication. In this role, your SAP experience, leadership and expertise, will help drive innovation, adoption, and efficiency within Jack Link’s SAP ecosystem, ensuring a successful S4 implementation and seamless integration with other SAP modules.  

As Jack Link’s embarks on a 21st century global ERP transformation, this role will collaborate heavily with IT and function leadership, to solve problems and define solutions which will enable frictionless business success. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

Requirements Analysis and Gathering: 

  • Engage with Supply Chain & Operations stakeholders to understand their business needs and translate them into detailed technical requirements.
  • Advise on the formulation of IT solutions for Demand & Supply Planning, leveraging a deep understanding of the function's challenges and opportunities.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis to define system scope and objectives for complex system implementations and enhancements.
  • Be the IT liaison between IT and Business Teams, here in the U.S and Global  

Configuration and Optimization: 

  • Configure Supply Chain Planning Solutions to meet business requirements, focusing on supply chain planning and operational efficiencies.
  • Optimize system settings and performance to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
  • Analyze, configure, and optimize SAP demand and supply planning, using modules such as APO and IBP and/or other modules as defined. 
  • Partner with the defined systems integrator (SI) to, as applicable, define requirements, set expectations, and hold the project team and SI resources, accountable for delivering quality results on time.   
  • Implement system enhancements, including new features, functionalities, and improvements.  Ensure alignment with business goals and user requirements. 

Leadership, Communication and Collaboration

  • Act as a project leader and subject matter expert within the IT team for SAP supply chain planning related functions.
  • Collaborate with Business Relationship Managers and Product Managers to support strategic and innovative planning initiatives with business stakeholders.
  • Actively engage in discussions on options, risks, and benefits of IT solutions and their impact on business processes and priorities.
  • Facilitate effective communication between IT and Supply Chain & Demand teams to ensure clear understanding and alignment of system capabilities and business processes.
  • Provide effective technical leadership across large teams of functional SMEs, business teams and global technical personnel. 
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams, Business leadership, Business Process Owners (BPOs), Business Analysts, SAP Program Managers, Project Managers, Systems Integrators, and third-party managed service providers

Integration and Support

  • Help guide and oversee integration efforts to ensure seamless operation between Supply Chain Planning Solutions and other business-critical systems.
  • Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting for Supply Chain Planning/Demand Solutions, acting as a point of escalation for complex issues.
  • Ensure seamless integration demand and supply planning experience in SAP modules such as APO and IBP. Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to SAP systems. 
  • Provide technical support and training to end-users. 

Continuous Improvement

  • Monitor system performance and user feedback to identify areas for continuous improvement.
  • Implement best practices in system maintenance and updates to drive efficiency and reliability.
  • Responsible for review of Test Strategies, Test Plans, Test Scenarios, Test Estimations and Test Preparation & Execution schedules. 
  • Develop, manage, and track the test cases for each in-scope test phases of the project as according to the agreed schedules in adherence to test methodology and use of test tools. 
  • Responsible for Test Case Design, Test Execution and Defect Management. 
  • Oversee all facets of testing life cycle including test preparation, reviews, test execution and Status reporting. Oversee data cleansing and validation efforts during SAP data migrations 
  • Analyze production issues and provide leadership, direction, and execution to contain, mitigate and solve. 
  • Remain updated on SAP best practices, industry trends and emerging technologies. Propose and implement process improvements to enhance system efficiency and effectiveness. 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Supply Chain Management, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
  • 7+ years of experience as an SAP Systems Analyst supporting Demand and Supply Chain Planning operations. Experience in APO and IBP and/or other similar modules
  • Deep subject matter expertise in supply chain processes and how they integrate with SAP
  • Demonstrated experience in SAP system configuration and optimization.
  • SAP certification is a plus.
  • Experience with leading system upgrades, integrations, and enhancements.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a collaborative team approach.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
  • Prior consumer packaged goods (CPG), technology or consulting experience preferred   
  • Global experience preferred 

Essential Skills:  

  • Leadership: Self-starter with strong initiative and demonstrated ability to make decisions, delegate and hold partners accountable to commitments to achieve results. 
  • Systems Analysis: Experience in organizing work, analyzing complex systems, dependencies, prioritizing tasks and working to advance IT projects tasks, and meeting deadlines.  
  • Technical Expertise: Knowledge of SAP modules Demand and Supply Planning in APO and IBP coupled with a solid understanding system implementation method, system configuration and management.  
  • Business Acumen: Strong grasp of business processes and the ability to align IT solutions with business goals.  
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Relationships: Skill in building and maintaining relationships with business stakeholders, IT staff, vendor partners and managed service providers
  • Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze complex problems and propose effective solutions.  
  • Negotiation Skills: Experience negotiating with stakeholders and vendors to achieve the best outcomes for the business.  
  • Training and Support: Capability to train end-users and provide ongoing support for SAP modules 
  • Innovation: Keeping up to date with the latest SAP technologies and industry trends  

Additional Information

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.