The Senior Systems Analyst independently serves as the project link between the business units served by development and the PT development teams on complex projects.  At the Senior Systems Analyst level, incumbents are responsible for overseeing entire projects or multiple projects.  Project areas include new development efforts; system changes impacting multiple systems, application or components; and design- or best practice-oriented projects.  In addition to the duties of the Systems Analyst, the Senior Systems Analyst is responsible for technical project management: planning, reporting and timely completion of projects.  The incumbent must be able to work with the pressure of strict deadlines and short turnaround times.

Functions of the Department

There are Systems Analysis teams in all of the Production Technologies development groups.  These teams work with both the business units and the development teams to ensure that business needs are achieved in system changes, enhancements, fixes and new development efforts.  The Systems Analysis departments function to translate business requirements into technical solutions that are implemented by development groups.

The incumbent must be able to combine business and technical knowledge in order to be successful.  Since the Company has multiple business units and utilizes multiple proprietary software applications, the acquisition of this knowledge takes time and requires a lengthy learning curve.  In addition, analysis must include not only the impact Production Technologies applications, but also those throughout the Company. 

The incumbent also aces difficult logistics in completing assignments; often, the parties involved are in different departments and in different states with different time zones.  Gathering everyone together and facilitating procedures across multiple departments and divisions can be a difficult task.  The incumbent must be able to consider a multitude of issues, both business and technical, when analyzing system issues.  Incumbent must work under the stress of very short turnaround times.

The Senior Systems Analyst is expected to independently complete assignments.  Must be able to implement new and creative solutions to problems within existing systems and according to divisional business needs; must be able to promote best practices across multiple development organizations.  Works under the direction of the MGR, Systems Analysis and has access to this position for advice and guidance. Must utilize IT methodology, standards and procedures.

Job Responsibility

Includes, but not limited to:

• Researches technical solutions for complex system issues, changes and enhancements (field additions, workflow fit, etc.).  Determines research method best suited to task.

• Develops alternative solutions for assigned projects and makes determination on final solution.  Brainstorms with developers to determine what questions to ask of user community so that business needs are clear and to determine what alternatives are feasible.  Determines pros and cons of the various alternatives. Ensures that needs of multiple business units, business flow and system flow have all been considered in alternatives.  May need to develop different alternatives for different business units.

• Communicates, verbally and in writing, with a variety of areas (developers, users, help desk, management, other system groups: AI, Landsafe, PT, Secondary Marketing, etc.) for the purpose of gathering information, determining problem sources, analyzing resolution options and finding technical solutions.

• Acts as technical project manager for complex projects.  Defines project requirements, plans efforts, determines milestones, defines interdependencies, provides management reporting, and resolves issues.  Is often responsible for multiple projects at one time.  Ensures that projects remain on track and are completed on schedule

• Writes PCR’s (technical specifications) for fixes, changes and enhancements once preferred solution has been identified. Ensures that specification details are clear and concise so that programming can be completed with minimal changes. Provides pseudo code (recommended logic) for simple to highly complex PCR’s.  The Senior Systems Analyst is expected to define ancillary systems/pieces affected by proposed changes (UI, backend, interface, task manager, etc.) and have a good knowledge of the system architecture so that that there is no adverse impact.  Supports the PCR from creation to implementation ensuring that project/task has been completed successfully.

• Conducts and attends meetings with business units, developers and senior management to determine project scope, business requirements, etc.  Conducts PCR walk-throughs with divisions in order to obtain approval prior to PCR implementation.

• Architects business-related workflow for PCR in order to ensure that it can be implemented and incorporated with the new system.

• Writes test scenarios for Quality Assurance Analysts.  May perform testing for results in order to determine if desired results have been achieved by programming changes.

• Acts as negotiator between development groups and user communities to resolve issues surrounding project.

• Reviews work of, mentors, and cross-trains lower level analysts.

• May do page/screen prototyping and/or design, primarily graphics or functionality, in order to present options to the client.

• Promotes a positive work environment by respecting codes of professional behavior and the diversity of others.  Encourages staff to participate in activities that promote a positive work environment.

This is a 6 month contract-to-hire position.

All interested candidates will need to have a green card/citizenship.