The QAD Business Analyst is responsible for the delivery of business application solutions leveraging the QAD application in support of specific functional areas. This position will work closely with assigned business units and with other IT team members and will assist the IT Director with the overall roadmap of IT business application projects and efforts to support the manufacturing operations in use of the ERP system.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
The QAD Business Analyst position requires business application support skills (especially with QAD) and basic project management skills. Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:
- Supports a core set of business functions across manufacturing operations at all Akebono-North America operations. This includes Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Sales and/or Distribution functions.
- Understands business operations and business systems – primarily QAD, but also related Supply Chain solutions (EDI, Customs Forms, Supplier Portals).
- Acts as the liaison between the business functions and Information Technology regarding manufacturing ERP use and related requests.
- Elicits and translates business requirements into functional specifications for internal and external developers and consultants.
- Critically evaluates information gathered from multiple sources, to design, develop and deliver an efficient solution to address the business requirements.
- Determines potential technical and process solutions and tests them for both business and technical capability.
- Answers questions/concerns from internal client community regarding ERP use and processes.
- Follows company change processes and fully utilizes the helpdesk system to track changes and workload.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Business or related field with a minimum of 4 years’ experience in a business analyst role with QAD solutions focused on supporting manufacturing operations. Preference is at least 5 years’ experience.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Excellent verbal & written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of executives, managers, and subject matter experts.
- Ability to work on multiple requests and initiatives simultaneously.
- Capable of working in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment to perform essential duties.
- Ability to be extremely organized and multi-task with various assignments.
- Ability to use conventional email and office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to communicate IT concepts, project/program plans, etc. General understanding of IT components interfacing with the ERP system (form printing, scanners, etc.).
- Subject Matter Expert with manufacturing modules in an ERP system (specifically QAD) and experienced with working with and assisting manufacturing business units.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility but may have direct supervisory and support responsibilities within defined project teams. This position is required to lead cross-functional teams and manage the multiple competing deadlines from each of the interfacing departments.
Physical Demands/Environment
This position requires the following physical abilities: to sit; to use hands, to reach with hands and arms, to stand, to talk and hear. In addition, the specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The work environment is mostly sedentary; however, there is occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration and to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Other Requirements
There may be travel required to visit other Akebono facilities on an occasional basis, therefore ability to fly and drive a motor vehicle is required.
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What We Do
Akebono was founded over 90 years ago, and continues to provide the world’s automotive industry with advanced braking and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) solutions. The company’s commitment to innovation, process improvement, quality control and customer service has positioned it as a key resource for leading OEMs, Tier I brake suppliers and the automotive aftermarket. Key automotive OEM customers include Audi, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. Akebono manufactures a wide range of brake friction materials and foundation brake assemblies, including disc brake calipers and drum brakes, employing the Akebono Production System (APS). This business approach features proven quality control techniques to guarantee minimal process variation in all phases of production. Embraced throughout the organization, APS enables the company to consistently achieve nearly zero defects per million parts produced. Akebono operates R&D technical centers in the United States, Japan and France, and manufactures brake friction materials and components in 30 wholly owned or affiliated facilities worldwide. This includes four production facilities in Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina. All of Akebono’s operations have secured appropriate QS9000 and ISO14001 certifications, and the company has received a number of quality and performance awards from customers. Worldwide, a total of 8,279 people are employed by Akebono; 3,054 in North America. In 2012, the company’s worldwide sales totaled $2.1 billion (US). North American sales totaled just over $1 billion (US). Akebono has a proud legacy of achieving Japanese technological firsts. From its inception, Akebono initiated overseas technical tie-ups and offshore production. All of these activities stem from the constant demands of improving quality and increasing customer satisfaction.
