Business Applications Specialist
Description
The Business Applications Specialist is responsible for delivering company-wide business solutions through ERP and external software application configuration/development as well as supporting all field-based users utilizing such applications. This includes troubleshooting applications for all internal customers, such as Sales, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and other business units. This position is also responsible for managing assigned projects and defining, developing, testing, training, analyzing, maintaining, and improving in-house and external provided software applications. Continuous mentoring and development of system users will be critical to support the collective application of all systems and processes.
Location & Schedule
- The closest Colony branch location
- Typically 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday
- Moderate travel requirements between Colony locations (including weekend travel and overtime)
Essential Job Functions
- Act as the first line of Application Support, including support that may not be in normal business hours.
- Support the release of all new, enhanced, or repaired system applications to ensure maximum user adoption. This will include documentation and providing user training.
- Participate in all system implementation projects supporting new acquisitions.
- Act as an ambassador of Colony at all times.
- Work closely with the IT Development team, corporate departments, regional teams, and branch resources to coordinate specific duties and implement deliverables.
- Assist Developers, Analysts, and Designers in conceptualizing, developing new software programs, and applications.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with our 3rd party strategic partners to help ensure Colony will be top priority in times of urgent need.
- Proactively keep Senior Business Applications Specialist informed of status and open issues at all times.
- Respond and resolve problems in an efficient and timely manner.
- Maintain currency of all Colony systems, policies, and procedures.
- Maintain a moderate travel schedule throughout the year with potential overtime / weekend travel.
Strategy & Planning
- Analyze and assess existing business systems and procedures to drive measurable continuous improvement and increase profitability.
- Manage the definition, development, and documentation of software business requirements, objectives, deliverables, and specifications in collaboration with internal users and departments.
- Manage defining software development project plans, including scoping, prioritization, scheduling, and implementation.
- Provide Project Management with tracking of the status of various projects throughout the project lifecycle. This includes full immersion into such projects and becoming the expert in the room of associated tasks to drive to expected outcomes.
Acquisition & Deployment
- Assist in planning & facilitating the Business Assessment / Gap Analysis Process pertaining to the system migrations.
- Conduct research into software application products and services in support of business requirements.
- Coordinate with external vendors to drive efficient implementation of new software products, and for resolution of any adaptation issues.
- Manage the prioritization and scheduling of applicable software improvements and upgrades.
- Manage and conduct on-site training pertaining to system migration and utilization of system applications.
- Develop, plan, and conduct all post go-live support, training, and advanced training.
- Provide on-site field support during conversion and post go-live hyper care weeks in business support of branch and regional leadership.
Operational Management
- Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to understand their requirements, informational needs, and data sources, and conduct requirements gathering sessions, meetings, and presentations.
- Translate business needs into a clearly defined and detailed business requirements document, inclusive of business use cases, process flows, traceability matrices as well as report mock-ups.
- Clearly document and articulate As-Is with To-Be business needs and be able to educate users on system functionality/features and help bridge the gap on processes as needed.
- Ensure systems integrations are built for scale to align with the growth of the company while maintaining accuracy and completeness of data flowing from our ecommerce platform, fulfillment center, and other third-party systems.
- Work with the internal and implementation partner teams on automating data integrations.
- Stay ahead of the new features and functionality, and provide recommendations for continuous improvements.
- Participate in technical design reviews & audits to ensure design objectives are met and standards are followed.
- Work with direct reports and end users on usability / Help Desk issues.
What You’ll Need for success:
Knowledge & Experience
- In-depth, hands-on knowledge of, and experience with, enterprise applications, with preferably 2 years’ Colony experience with the day-to-day technical management and implementations
- Understanding of ERP workflow functionality and processes
- Strong understanding of common industry-standard business practices in accounting, supply chain, distribution, and warehouse management
- Related experience with 3rd party tools and add-ons like Boomi, Avalara, Gains, Descartes, RFSmart a plus
- Proven experience with troubleshooting principles, methodologies, and issue resolution techniques
- Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Personal Attributes
- Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment, with strong teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Highly self-motivated and directed with the ability work independently
- Ability to absorb new ideas and concepts quickly and good analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage competing priorities and effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
- Ability to communicate effectively across all levels and present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language
- A strong commitment to customer service, including a focused appreciation for the perspective of our end users and their customer-driven urgencies
- Ability to provide strong team leadership through effective coaching, and training that result in successful employee development
- Ability to think proactively and strategically
Education & Certification
- Bachelor’s degree required in the field of Business Management, Computer Science, or Information Systems, and 3 years of related work experience.
- Education and/or certifications with significant experience in SDLC, and project management are desired.
We Can Offer You:
We value performance that exhibits a high sense of urgency, coupled with attention to detail and a strong customer service orientation! We also care about the welfare of our employees, which is why our salary and benefits are competitive. Colony’s benefits include:
- Yearly discretionary bonus potential based upon performance.
- Medical (including HSA/FSA), Dental, Vision, STD/LTD, Life Insurance.
- 401k with company matching.
- Competitive PTO and paid holidays.
- Company-provided PPE as required.
- Industry leading training and development.
- Generous discounts on the best products from leading industry vendors.
Life at Colony:
Colony Hardware is the leading distributor of Tools, Equipment, Fasteners, Supplies, and Safety Products to commercial construction and industrial accounts throughout our markets.
At Colony, our people are our most valued asset. Success as a Colony Associate means being reliable, conscientious, and passionate. With our direction centered on teamwork, every employee at Colony will not only find their work to be meaningful, but will have the opportunity to grow alongside Colony, both professionally and personally.
If you possess a will to win and would like to join a culture where integrity and collaboration are integral to success, apply to Colony Hardware today to join our growing family!
Colony’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity:
Colony Hardware Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, religion, marital status, victim of domestic violence, familial status, genetic predisposition or information, disability, Family and Medical Leave, military or veteran status, citizenship, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.