Sr SAP Systems Analyst - APO and IBP

Company Description

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands: Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s™ Organic Snacks, Golden Island®, BiFi®, Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few, there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.

Job Description

As an Sr SAP Systems Analyst at Link Snacks 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 Link Snacks SAP ecosystem, ensuring a successful S4 implementation and seamless integration with other SAP modules.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Requirements Analysis and Gathering

• Engage and 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 operation 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 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED 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. 
• Expereince working on a minimum of three SAP implementation projects, with four or more preferred
• 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.
• 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.
• Self-starter with strong initiative and demonstrated ability to make decisions, delegate and hold partners accountable to commitments to achieve results.
• Experience in organizing work, analyzing complex systems, dependencies, prioritizing tasks and working to advance IT projects tasks, and meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of SAP modules Demand and Supply Planning in APO and IBP coupled with a solid understanding system implementation method, system configuration and management.
• Strong grasp of business processes and the ability to align IT solutions with business goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Skill in building and maintaining relationships with business stakeholders, IT staff, vendor partners and managed service providers.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and propose effective solutions.
• Experience negotiating with stakeholders and vendors to achieve the best outcomes for the business.
• Capability to train end-users and provide ongoing support for SAP modules.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• SAP certification is a plus.
• Prior consumer packaged goods (CPG), technology or consulting experience preferred
• Global experience preferred.

 

Additional Information

The starting salarie for this role is $130,000.00 - $160,000.00. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of  Link Snacks Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Link Snacks provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Link Snacks 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: Link Snacks 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