Westlake Chemical offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

The IS Financials Principal Functional Analyst role is to support the operation of the organizations' SAP system for one or more of the modules (FI/CO, PS, plus others as licensed by Westlake) and associated Business Software Applications (such as VIM, GetPaid, Concur, Vertex etc.) through support best practices. This includes installing, configuring, upgrading, and maintaining the company's investments in proprietary SAP & associated Business Software technologies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The IS Financials Principal Functional Analyst is responsible for providing functional (subject matter) expertise in: Designing, Architecting and Implementing SAP FICO and PS modules (extensive experience in Integration with core SAP MM and SD Modules)
• Integration with procure to pay processes (including Accounts Payable and associated systems such as AP Invoice Automation, approval workflow, indirect taxes, vendor payments), Integration with order to cash processes (including Accounts Receivables and associated systems such as Credit management, Cash application and Collections management), Bank Accounting - Bank Interfaces, setting up and automate Bank Reconciliation in SAP, Integration with Project Systems including capitalization of assets via project settlements (expansion and turn around projects), and Asset Accounting - to support the asset life cycle processes such as Capitalization, Multiple valuations using multiple depreciation areas, changes in useful life or depreciation calculation, shutdowns etc.
• The IS Financials Principal Functional Analyst is responsible to work with key business users and process owners in the Finance & Accounting organization, Procurement, Customer Service and Credit Management teams: To articulate leading practices and to identify opportunities to enhance & improve current processes, To define project scope and project deliverables, To manage and deliver projects, and to train and support users
• The IS Financials Principal Functional Analyst will also have responsibility for day-to-day procedures related to the identification, prioritization, and resolution of SAP FI/CO and associated application problem tickets, including the monitoring, tracking, coordination and resolution of SAP support tickets. The IS Financials Principal Functional Analyst will contribute to problem resolution by giving in-person, hands-on support. Recommend systems modifications to reduce user problems.
• This individual will apply proven communication and problem-solving skills to guide and assist the Accounting/Finance organizations and SAP Application Support Team on issues related to the design, development, and support of mission-critical information and business applications. This individual will apply proven leadership skills to manage employees in the IS Financial Applications team, independent contractors and third-party vendors to complete projects and to provide support.
• Establish and maintain communications with business sponsors and business owners to ensure user satisfaction is maintained.
• Manage and resolve support requests in compliance with annual Application Support goals and service levels for area of responsibility in conjunction with the Business Unit and IS Management.
• Oversee operations and maintenance of SAP functions for area of responsibility, including relevant SAP configuration, and work closely with the Technical team, responsible for ABAP Development and other non-SAP application development, to ensure secure and reliable operations as well as Application Architecture consistency and integrity.
• Provide functional support and troubleshooting of system configuration for area of responsibility (and other SAP modules as appropriate).
• Monitor operation of critical SAP Process and Services for assigned processes.
• Review, approve and test software updates.
• Provide Project Management for related service requests for new reports or enhancements.
• Conduct research and make recommendations on Business Application products, services, and standards in support of Application Development efforts for assigned processes.
• Enforce established SAP and other Application Security access controls. Review Security Profile changes to ensure private and sensitive data is protected. Coordinate or perform application and security audits.
• Understand and follow Standard System Life Cycle Methods, Quality Assurance Testing and Sarbanes Oxley Program Change Controls. Coordinate and maintain change control and testing processes for modifications to the SAP Application environment.
• Ensure training materials and user skills are current and coordinate necessary user training.
• Any and all other assignments as provided.
• On assigned projects, monitor progress of deliverables, co-manage key project risks and issues, and monitor performance of implementation partners as appropriate.
• Facilitate and lead design sessions to review and/or configure new systems and features
• Recommend improvements and solutions which would improve business efficiency, quality and/or process while maximizing SAP functionality.
• Create/review and QA functional designs and specifications for configurations, application security, reports, data conversions and interfaces.
• Transfer SAP knowledge and capabilities to the Business Unit organizations including the planning, organization, development, preparation, and delivery of documentation and individual or classroom training sessions.
• Provide services to ensure SAP implementation/customization activities are integrated with other SAP modules.
• Test and assist in the development and execution of the functional and acceptance test plans to ensure proper operation and freedom from defects.
• Assess the strategic fit of the initial design in terms of future projects or upgrades.
• Work independently, and/or as a member of a team, and/or as team lead when taking projects from original concept through final implementation.
• Define project scope and objectives.
• Develop detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports.
• Ensure project records are complete, accurate, and up-to-date.
• Conduct project meetings and provide project tracking and analysis.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and review project deliverables.
• Manage the integration tasks while also tracking and reviewing project deliverables.
• Manage the schedule, scope, and delivery of new enhancements that are requested for assigned processes.
• Coordinate response to and resolution of SAP Application incidents and performance issues for area of responsibility. Handle level 3 system support calls that cannot be resolved by existing SAP help desk.
• Establish and maintain communications with business sponsors and business owners to ensure business satisfaction that business goals and requirements are successfully realized.
• Recommend improvements and solutions which would improve business efficiency, quality and/or process while maximizing SAP functionality.
• Assess the strategic fit for all proposed solutions in terms of future process requirements and system upgrades
• Maintain the 3 - 5-year strategic plan for the assigned processes and application project portfolio
• Review and QA functional designs and specifications for configurations, application security, reports, data conversions and interfaces.
• For new and enhanced process/systems requests: (1) meet with business unit to identify business requirements; (2) prepare SOW to include scope of work, timeline, resource requirements, and estimated costs; (3) identify Project Manager and resources; (4) assist with the management of project related key risks and issues; (5) monitor project to ensure on-time and on-budget project completion within scope and customer expectations.
• Monitor performance of implementation partners and contracted resources assigned to projects within assigned processes.
• Provide services to ensure SAP implementation/customization activities are integrated with other SAP modules.
• Perform the primary thinking encompassed by this job description.
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.
• Fully supports Company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels including reviewing area of responsibility for improvement opportunities to initiate projects or communicate ideas to management as well as active participation on project teams.
• Any additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• College diploma or university degree in the field of accounting
• 12+ years equivalent work experience.
• Possess 12+ years of SAP FICO Application configuration experience.
• Hands-on experience with SAP version ECC 6.0 or greater
• Expertise in SAP FI-GL, AR, AP, AA, Bank and PS modules
• Expertise in integration with core SAP modules - MM, SD, PM and PP modules
• Expertise in AP Invoice Automation tools such as OpenText VIM, Coupa, SAP Ariba, Basware or equivalent tools
• Expertise in Indirect Tax automation solution preferably in Vertex
• Expertise in implementing and supporting SAP AR - Billing, Credit Management, Collections, Cash Application.
• Experience in integrating SAP with Cash application tools such as GetPaid
• Expertise in configuring SAP Asset Accounting, Multiple valuations using multiple depreciation areas, Capitalization using Project Systems - WBS Settlements etc.
• Expertise in setting up Bank Interfaces and Bank Reconciliation in SAP
• Experience in Project Systems
• Experience in supporting month end close activities in SAP FICO application
• Exposure to P2P suites such as Coupa or SAP Ariba
• Possess basic technical skills in SAP development tools, interfaces methods and protocols.
• Experience with SAP configuration methods, tools and techniques. Knowledge of ASAP methodology preferred.
• Strong understanding of IS Application support and development principles, and practices.
• Experience with business process analysis methods and flowcharting and documenting techniques.
• Experience with Robotic Process Automation tools (RPA)
• SAP functional expertise in Finance and Controlling sub-modules: General Ledger (including New GL), Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payables, Asset Accounting, Project Systems, Overhead Cost Accounting, Profit Center Accounting,
• SAP functional expertise in integration with Procure to Pay, Order to Cash & Manufacturing Processes
• Experience working with Vertex, GetPaid, OpenText VIM or equivalent tools
• Additional skills in SAP S/4, SAP Central Finance
• Possess basic technical skills in SAP development tools, interfaces methods and protocols.
• Understanding of SAP configuration methods, tools and techniques. Knowledge of ASAP methodology preferred.
• Strong understanding of application support and development principles and practices.
• Possess project management skills. Knowledge of ASAP methodology preferred.
• Ability to use business process analysis methods, flowcharting and documenting techniques.
• Good understanding of the organization's goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Strong functional and technical documentation skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to conduct research into IS operational issues, standards and products as required.
• Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language.
• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong customer service orientation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 10% including air travel or auto travel.

Westlake Chemical is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake Chemical employee (or an employee of any Westlake Chemical affiliates), please do not apply here. Please go to your Workday homepage and click on the "Careers" worklet and view "Westlake Career Opportunities".