Business Analyst - Warehouse Automation & ERP

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POSITION INFO:
BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST Location: Bellville South, Cape Town Reporting to: ERP Manager Employment Type: Full-time Travel: Required between sites, with regular on-site presence at the warehouse\/distribution centre After-hours Support: Required for critical incidents, system cut-overs, go-lives and peak trading periods The Opportunity Our client is a rapidly growing business investing in warehouse automation and technology to support its expanding operations. With significant year-on-year growth and a transition from manual warehouse processes to a highly automated environment, the business requires an experienced Business Systems Analyst – Warehouse Automation & ERP to ensure its systems, integrations and operational processes scale effectively.   This is a specialist opportunity for someone who understands both the technical capabilities of an ERP system and the practical realities of warehouse operations. You will act as the link between Warehouse & Logistics, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance, IT and external implementation partners, ensuring that business requirements are translated into reliable, scalable solutions.   The role will focus on the functional alignment of Odoo ERP with warehouse automation technologies, including scanning, conveyors, pick-to-light\/put-to-light systems, robotics and warehouse control systems. You will play a key role in solution design, systems integration, testing, implementation, user adoption and ongoing optimisation.   Key Responsibilities 1. Warehouse Automation & Systems Integration Lead the functional integration of Odoo ERP with warehouse automation technologies, including WMS\/WCS\/WES, scanning, conveyors, sortation, pick-to-light\/put-to-light and robotics. Define system integration requirements, data flows, message handshakes, exception handling and reconciliation processes. Ensure future-state warehouse processes, from receiving through to dispatch, are accurately reflected in system configuration. Participate in technology selection, vendor evaluations, factory and site acceptance testing (FAT\/SAT), commissioning, go-live and post-implementation stabilisation. 2. ERP Alignment & Operational Performance Maintain end-to-end process and system documentation across warehouse and supply chain operations. Ensure ERP configuration, warehouse locations, routes, barcodes, lot\/serial tracking and put-away\/replenishment strategies align with physical operations. Monitor system outputs and reconcile ERP stock and transactions against physical inventory and automation data. Investigate discrepancies, identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Take ownership of system-related risks affecting inventory accuracy, picking accuracy, order throughput and delivery SLAs. 3. Business Analysis & Requirements Gathering Conduct stakeholder workshops, interviews and on-site warehouse observations to identify business needs, operational challenges and improvement opportunities. Analyse, document, prioritise and validate business requirements. Map current-state (As-Is) and future-state (To-Be) processes using BPMN, swim lanes and value-stream mapping. Assess the impact of proposed changes across ERP, automation, integrations and supporting infrastructure. Maintain a prioritised delivery backlog in collaboration with the ERP Manager. 4. Functional Design & Solution Delivery Translate business requirements into functional specifications, integration designs, data mappings and user stories with clear acceptance criteria. Develop prototypes and proofs of value to validate proposed solutions with operational and business stakeholders. Evaluate configuration, customisation and third-party development options, considering scalability, maintainability and total cost. Ensure solutions delivered internally or by external partners meet agreed business requirements and quality standards. 5. Testing, Quality Assurance & Implementation Develop test plans, test cases and scripts covering functional, integration, end-to-end, volume\/performance and cut-over scenarios. Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) with warehouse and business users. Coordinate simulated peak-volume testing before automation go-lives. Support implementation planning, release management, commissioning, go-live and hypercare. Identify, track and resolve defects to minimise operational disruption. 6. Systems, Infrastructure & Continuous Improvement Contribute to the ERP and applications roadmap as warehouse automation evolves. Define supporting technology requirements, including warehouse Wi-Fi\/RF coverage, handheld devices, label printers, edge servers, network resilience and system monitoring. Work with System Administrators, Software Developers and implementation partners to support reliable system availability. Analyse operational data and KPIs to identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, throughput, service levels and warehouse productivity. 7. Training, Change Management & User Adoption Act as the functional subject matter expert for ERP and warehouse automation processes. Develop SOPs, process documentation and user training materials. Deliver functional training and establish a network of warehouse super-users. Support change management and ensure new systems and processes are effectively adopted on the warehouse floor. 8. Support & Vendor Management Provide Level 2\/Level 3 functional support for ERP and automation integration issues escalated from IT support and warehouse operations. Participate in standby arrangements for critical incidents, go-lives and peak trading periods. Lead problem-solving initiatives to eliminate recurring system incidents. Manage the functional deliverables of ERP and automation implementation partners, including specifications, statements of work, acceptance criteria, defect resolution and knowledge transfer. Minimum Requirements Qualifications National Senior Certificate (Matric). Degree or diploma in Information Systems, Information Technology, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain & Logistics Management or a related field. Odoo functional certification or equivalent ERP certification, such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 SCM, NetSuite or similar, is preferred. Experience At least 8 years’ experience as a Business Systems Analyst, Systems Analyst or ERP Functional Consultant. At least 5 years’ experience in a warehouse, distribution or supply chain-driven environment, preferably FMCG, wholesale, e-commerce or third-party logistics. At least 5 years’ hands-on ERP experience in inventory, warehousing or logistics, with Odoo strongly preferred. Proven end-to-end involvement in at least one warehouse automation implementation, covering requirements, design, testing, go-live and stabilisation. Demonstrable experience aligning ERP\/WMS configuration with physical warehouse processes and automation equipment. Experience supporting high-volume order fulfilment, demanding service levels, bulk orders and cross-border\/export operations. Experience specifying and testing system integrations, including APIs, EDI, middleware, carrier and e-commerce integrations. Experience in data migration, master-data governance, business process mapping, requirements documentation, user stories, acceptance criteria and UAT. Experience managing ERP\/automation implementation partners and supporting FAT\/SAT. Demonstrated ability to develop SOPs, deliver training and drive adoption in operational environments. Technical Knowledge & Skills The successful candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge of: Odoo ERP: Inventory\/Warehouse, Barcode, Purchase, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality and Accounting, including multi-warehouse configuration, routes, traceability and delivery integrations. Warehouse operations: Receiving, put-away, slotting, replenishment, wave\/batch picking, packing, dispatch, returns and cycle counting. Warehouse automation: Barcode\/RF scanning, conveyors, sortation, pick-to-light\/put-to-light, goods-to-person systems, AMR\/AGV robotics and WMS\/WCS\/WES. Systems integration: REST\/JSON and XML-RPC APIs, EDI, middleware, message queues, PLC\/WCS handshakes, exception handling and reconciliation. Infrastructure: Warehouse Wi-Fi\/RF coverage, handheld devices, label printing, edge servers, network resilience, environments and release management. Business analysis: BPMN, swim-lane diagrams, value-stream mapping, As-Is\/To-Be analysis, requirements elicitation and solution design. Testing and implementation: Functional and integration testing, end-to-end testing, volume\/performance testing, cut-over planning, UAT and go-live support. Data analysis: SQL, ERP reporting and BI tools such as Power BI, with the ability to analyse inventory accuracy, throughput and SLA performance. Delivery methodologies: Agile\/Scrum, sprint planning, backlog management and ITIL incident, problem and change management. Experience with alternative ERP platforms such as SAP EWM\/WM, Microsoft Dynamics 365 SCM, NetSuite or Sage X3 integrated with a WMS will be considered. Core Competencies Warehouse Process Design & Automation Integration ERP Functional Analysis & Configuration Systems Integration & API Specification Business Process Mapping & Requirements Analysis Functional Solution Design & Prototyping Data Integrity & Master-Data Governance Test Planning, UAT & Cut-over Coordination Operational Data Analysis & KPI Reporting Incident Management & Root Cause Analysis Vendor & Implementation Partner Management SOP Development, Training & Change Enablement Project Delivery & Stakeholder Management Analytical Thinking & Attention to Detail Practical Problem-Solving & Innovation Communication, Collaboration & Relationship Building Planning, Prioritisation & Meeting Deadlines Resilience Under Pressure & Operational Accountability Personal Attributes Our client is looking for someone who is analytical, detail-oriented and comfortable working at the intersection of technology and operational delivery. You should be able to communicate effectively with both technical teams and warehouse users, challenge existing processes constructively, and turn complex operational requirements into practical, scalable solutions. The ideal candidate is proactive, commercially aware, innovative and resilient, with the confidence to take ownership of system performance, coordinate multiple workstreams and deliver improvements within demanding operational timelines.   Performance Expectations Performance will be assessed against agreed operational and project measures, including: Delivery of automation milestones within agreed scope and timelines. Inventory, picking and dispatch accuracy. System-related SLA attainment across same-day, bulk and cross-border orders. Integration quality, UAT success and post-go-live defect rates. System availability during operating and peak trading periods. Requirements quality, stakeholder satisfaction and reduced rework. User adoption, training completion and competency sign-off. Incident resolution times and reduction in repeat incidents. Implementation partner deliverable quality and SLA compliance. Why Consider This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on a growing business undertaking a significant warehouse automation journey. You will have the opportunity to influence systems architecture at a functional level, improve operational efficiency and help build the technology and processes needed to support continued growth.   If you have the technical ERP expertise, warehouse process knowledge and implementation experience to bridge business operations and automation technology, we would welcome your application.