Purpose of role:

The Data Specialist’s role is central in the delivery of a quality service to our internal and external customers.

In this role you will be the internal SME responsible for the operational data landscape for the Oracle Retail solution. You will be working in an environment of over 200 applications, multiple vendors and internal IT teams. This position will form an integral part of the Application Operations team, responsible for technical ownership, support and optimisation of the data flow and platforms.

Reports to: Technical Team Manager – Application Operations

Key Requirements:

Data errors are high in the incumbent systems and are difficult to identify and resolve. Oracle Retail brings a level of complexity previously unknown to Primark, so this is a key role to map data flow, to systems, to business process. In addition, with dual run of legacy systems, there is a higher likelihood of issues occurring. The Data Specialist will operate from an operational run point of view to assure data quality throughout the lifecycle of Primark’s supply chain from ordering to reporting

Working closely with the application support team, specialised business teams and the wider Technology team he/she will be responsible for the maintenance and optimisation of the data landscape across the business. As a Data Specialist, he/she will provide technical assistance and direction to the wider team, ensuring that all technologies work effectively together. He/she will maintain the end-to-end architecture constantly looking at ways to improve or optimise.

Specifically, the Data Specialist will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

Ensure there is a documented Business Data Model which is understood by all technology teams

Work across all technology teams to understand the impact to operations of new and existing data tools, flows and management

Drive the delivery of manageable/auditable data flows for Oracle Retail by working closely with the programme team

Define, implement and optimise operational processes pertaining to the flow and integrity of data across the application landscape

Participate in incident resolution pertaining to your area of expertise

Guidance and governance for vendors, using your technical knowledge and expertise to influence and aid project governance and decision making

Describing the structure, characteristics, behaviour, and other aspects of implementation and data to wider programme stakeholders.

Champion best practice in application data within the organisation

Governance

Govern the delivery of services from a data perspective

Partner with the business to ensure data governance standards are adhered to in order to prevent data related incidents

Define data standards to which the delivery teams need to adhere

Ensure data integrity across multiple production and non-production environments

QA delivery of services against defined data standards

Impact assess changes to the data solutions

Attend governance meetings

Responsible for assuring data changes through the change management process

Provide input into the business continuity planning

Technical

Provide technical guidance to the wider Technology team to improve the overall effectiveness of the services we deliver including active knowledge sharing

Provide technical leadership and input into the resolution of all data related priority incidents and problems

Manage communication in a pro-active manner with stakeholders who require the technical know-how

Provide technical ownership of the data landscape

Communicate the impact of emerging technologies on the business

Identify innovative solutions that enable optimisation of business process, cost and/or time

Review all RFCs and changes pertaining to the data landscape as part of Primark’s Change Control process

Support technical teams during Incident and Problem management activities

Manage risk identification and risk mitigation strategies associated with the architecture

Key Skills / Requirements

Strong technical background

Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)

Excellent attention to detail

Experience with major programmes including participation in/driving data migration activities

Good understanding of core support processes

Team player with demonstrable ownership of issues and ability to escalate when necessary

Flexibility when it comes to supporting new technologies and a fast learner

Proficient in creating and maintaining documentation with attention to detail

Excellent problem solving skills

Highly motivated and supportive/team player with a strong service ethic