Lead Analyst, IS Business Analysis - PLM Specifications

Lead Analyst, IS Business Analysis - PLM Specifications

Join to apply for the Lead Analyst, IS Business Analysis - PLM Specifications role at The J.M. Smucker Co.

The J.M. Smucker Co. Information Services, Transformation & Portfolio (ITP) department enables people, process, and technology solutions that help our business perform, transform, and grow. The Lead Business Analyst on the ITP Commercial Operations Team serves as a subject matter expert, key partner, and relationship manager for the Commercial business function, including Raw Material Ingredients, Co-Pack, TSO, Supplier Requirements, Plant Quality, and Corporate Quality.

The role requires in-depth knowledge of business analysis, the ability to translate needs, pain points, and requirements into actionable specifications, and project‑management skills to organize and deliver efforts across multiple teams. As a leader within the business analysis discipline, the Lead Analyst coaches others, acts as an effective liaison between technical and non‑technical audiences, and commits to high‑quality deliverables.

Orrville, OH (Close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)

Hybrid – onsite a minimum of 9 days a month, primarily during core weeks as determined by the company; additional days may be required based on business needs.

• Serve as the subject matter expert and/or liaison from the Specification Management/PLM Center of Excellence to the business areas of Raw Materials, Co-Pack, TSO, Supplier Requirements, Plant Quality, and Corporate Quality.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with business customers and develop a deep understanding of how they operate and what they need.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with internal team members and vendors to address business priorities.
• Understand the process, systems, and data landscape in the business areas, including security and compliance needs.

• Participate in system planning, requirements gathering, design, configuration, testing, and training activities of new PLM system implementations or upgrades.
• Create and/or influence deliverables such as project plans, business process flows, change impacts, solution requirements, test plans, cutover plans, training documents, and support plans.
• Support business areas with new project generation/continuous improvement work while constructively challenging ROI, priority, and alignment with business and technical roadmaps.
• Consult with subject matter experts to document existing processes and business capabilities, research best practices, and propose future processes for continuous improvement.
• Define requirements based on translation of business needs and gaps collaboratively with stakeholders, leading to solution design.
• Collaborate with delivery teams on solution design, ensuring delivered solutions meet intended design and act as champion.
• May serve as a project manager on medium to large efforts pertaining to directly supported business areas, applying standard project methodologies used at Smucker.

• Serve as point of contact for business partners regarding system access and support and periodically meet to review progress.
• Engage adjacent ITP teams where additional skill sets and knowledge are required.
• Facilitate review of software licenses, risk profile, and ITP general controls compliance pertaining to third‑party vendors.

• Mentor and guide others to help advance business analysis within Smucker as a discipline, community of practice and profession.
• Serve as a contributor to the Business Analyst Center of Excellence, seeking opportunities to lead change and share knowledge broadly.

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, play to win, and believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with either a Bachelor’s degree in a…