Application Support Analyst

Job Introduction

Another exciting opening in our IT department! We are looking for an Application Support Analyst to join our Store Technology team. This role involves a mix of application support (more weighted in the applications discipline) and testing for our diverse systems and integrations across the cardfactory Group. Your key responsibilities will include resolving complex application issues, implementing changes, ensuring optimal performance and security levels, defining tests, and evaluating testing outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have a background in applications. This role is based in Wakefield at Junction 41, offering free parking and a flexible working arrangement, allowing you to have a significant impact while enjoying a hybrid work setup.

#Opportunity #ITJobs #ApplicationSupport #StoreTechnology

Main Responsibilities

• Provide technical knowledge for both project and BAU Incidents. 
• Provide 2^nd / 3rd level support for store tech applications across the Card Factory Group in accordance with internal service levels, processes, and procedures.
• Identify better operational working practices and contribute to and uphold best practices.
• Undertake technical problem management and root cause analysis.
• Ensure that all key systems are operational and where identified provide resolution or guidance to colleagues which drives the resolution of issues.
• Identify and suggest operational improvements and contribute to and uphold best practices.
• Undertake proactive monitoring of store tech applications, ensure any alerts are checked and addressed promptly to mitigate the risk of business impact.
• Ensure store tech solutions are optimized and scheduled maintenance is carried out to reduce the risk of outages.
• Support the delivery of key projects, collaborating with other colleagues and support partners as required 
• Provide technical expertise to other IT teams. 
• Produce technical documentation of applications, integrations, configurations, and changes when required, and ensure that other team members are maintaining technical documentation when changes occur. 
• Provide support for the following: 
  • Key business applications
  • Integration points
  • 3^rd Party data delivery
• Maintain existing applications using the available tools within the business.
• Support the drive towards leveraging more Cloud based and Automated integrations/Data flows where appropriate. 
• Support the business out of hours as part of an on-call rota to respond to and resolve high priority incidents.  
• Develop test scenarios, cases, and scripts according to the specific test phases (e.g., System Test, Integration Test, etc.) for multiple applications and software.
• Create and follow the defined approach and plan for specific test phases/sprints, including test preparation, execution, and closure.
• Raising Defects as a result of test execution and passing said defects onto an agreed resource for triage.
• Adhere to the (test) environment management strategy and plan.

The Ideal Candidate

• Exposure to and understanding of:
  • EPOS Systems, Payments, IM2 and Retail, Systems Integration and Data Transformation Platforms (Dell Boomi, SSIS)
  • Understanding of ERP Systems (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX (2012))
  • Reporting Technologies (SSRS, Power BI)
• Working in a retail environment providing 2^nd line support.
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills. 
• Highly organised, able to plan, co-ordinate and implement technical changes and multiple tasks concurrently to a high standard.
• Good technical documentation skills.
• Be adaptable to meet the changing needs of the business. 
• Ability to discuss complex technical issues with a non-technical audience. 
• Strong ability to assess the business impact of IT decisions and ensure that outcomes align with high-quality standards.
• Flexibility to provide support outside of core business hours to aid in the resolution of major incidents or to support peak trading.
• Experience in system testing standards and procedures for all testing cycles of system implementation and support.
• Experience of end-to-end test phases from scoping through to execution and production of the test completion report.
• Experience in test planning and delivery.
• Prior experience as a test analyst through the full SDLC cycle.

About The Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland.  In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer.  This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.  

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.

Benefits

• 25% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
• Save As You Earn scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Support       
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
• Seasonal incentive schemes
• Opportunity to apply for Retail Apprenticeships
• Access to blended learning and development content
• Discounted mobile phone contracts
• Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies, please.