Applications Analyst

PGG Wrightson Ltd; Christchurch, Dunedin; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Discounted medical insurance

Flu vaccinations

Occupational Counselling Programme

Job summary

PGG Wrightson is seeking an Applications Analyst to join the Applications & Integration team. You will provide advanced support for a portfolio of business apps, investigate issues across systems and data flows, and work with internal teams and vendors to resolve problems at their source.

The role blends operational support, technical analysis and continuous improvement, with exposure to enterprise platforms and Store Commerce; experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 is valuable but not essential

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Information Technology or equivalent practical experience.
• Software development experience or understanding of programming concepts and SDLC.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of relational databases, SQL and data structures.
• Ability to interpret logs, errors, system behaviour and technical documentation.
• Experience supporting, developing, testing or implementing applications.
• Understanding APIs, integrations, interfaces or data flows.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proactive learning of unfamiliar applications and technologies.
• Ability to manage competing operational and project priorities in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Providing advanced application support and acting as an escalation point for complex incidents and service requests.
• Investigating issues across applications, databases, integrations, configurations and supporting environments.
• Taking ownership of technical problems through investigation, resolution, testing and follow-up.
• Using diagnostic tools, logs, data and structured analysis to identify root causes.
• Supporting Microsoft Dynamics 365, Store Commerce and other enterprise applications.
• Working with internal technology teams and third-party vendors to resolve incidents and deliver improvements.
• Supporting application lifecycle activities, including upgrades, patching, releases and environment management.
• Contributing to change activities through impact assessment, technical review, testing, implementation and post-release validation.
• Identifying recurring issues and implementing practical solutions that reduce future incidents.
• Supporting technology projects, proofs of concept and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Developing and maintaining clear technical documentation, support procedures and end-user guidance.
• Helping the business get greater value from its applications and technology investment.

Skills

Programming concepts

Analytical problem solving

Relational databases

Data structures

Logs & diagnostics

APIs & integrations

Communicating technical info

Stakeholder engagement

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology

Tools

SQL Server

Azure

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Azure DevOps

ServiceNow

Job description

An opportunity to take your technical career in a new direction

PGG Wrightson is a leading provider of products and services to New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural sectors. We are helping grow the country through our knowledge, service and expertise.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Applications Analyst to join our Applications & Integration team. We’re looking for someone with a strong technical foundation, ideally gained through software development study or experience, who is keen to build their career in application support while working with complex enterprise systems.

You will use your understanding of software, databases, integrations and system behaviour to investigate complex issues, keep business-critical applications operating reliably, and deliver practical improvements for users across our nationwide organisation.

About the role

Reporting to the Application Support Manager, you will help ensure that a portfolio of business applications remains available, stable, secure and fit for purpose.

In this Level 3 role you will provide advanced application support, investigate issues across systems and data flows, contribute to application changes and releases, and work with internal teams and external vendors to resolve problems at their source.

Your work will include a combination of operational support, technical analysis and continuous improvement. One day you might diagnose an application or integration failure, and the next you could be testing a software release, analysing data, supporting a business change, or identifying how an application can be improved.

The role will have exposure to enterprise platforms and retail technology. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Store Commerce would be particularly valuable, although it is not essential if you bring strong technical foundations and the ability to learn complex systems.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing advanced application support and acting as an escalation point for complex incidents and service requests
• Investigating issues across applications, databases, integrations, configurations and supporting environments
• Taking ownership of technical problems through investigation, resolution, testing and follow-up
• Using diagnostic tools, logs, data and structured analysis to identify root causes
• Supporting Microsoft D365, Store Commerce and other business-critical enterprise applications
• Working with internal technology teams and third-party vendors to resolve incidents and deliver improvements
• Supporting application lifecycle activities, including upgrades, patching, releases and environment management
• Contributing to change activities through impact assessment, technical review, testing, implementation and post-release validation
• Identifying recurring issues and implementing practical solutions that reduce future incidents
• Supporting technology projects, proofs of concept and continuous improvement initiatives
• Developing and maintaining clear technical documentation, support procedures and end-user guidance
• Helping the business get greater value from its applications and technology investment

About you

You are curious about how systems work and enjoy investigating problems that do not always have an obvious answer. You can follow an issue across application layers, data, interfaces and processes, and you are comfortable working through evidence until you understand what is happening.

You may currently be working in software development, technical support, systems support or another technology role. Alternatively, you may have completed relevant study and gained practical experience through internships, projects, graduate roles or personal development work.

You are interested in using your technical skills in a role where you can combine hands‑on investigation with stakeholder engagement, service ownership and continuous improvement.

You will ideally bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Information Technology (or equivalent practical experience)
• Software development experience or a sound understanding of programming concepts and the software development lifecycle
• Strong analytical, diagnostic and problem-solving skills
• An understanding of relational databases, SQL and data structures
• The ability to interpret logs, errors, system behaviour and technical documentation
• Experience supporting, developing, testing or implementing applications
• An understanding of APIs, integrations, interfaces or data flows
• The ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A proactive approach to learning unfamiliar applications and technologies
• The ability to manage competing operational and project prioritiesA collaborative working style and a willingness to take ownership through to resolution

Experience in any of the following would be an advantage:

• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• SQL Server and SQL scripting
• Microsoft Azure or the wider Microsoft technology stack
• APIs, middleware or enterprise integration technologies
• Application monitoring and diagnostic tools
• Incident, problem, change and release management
• Azure DevOps, ServiceNow or similar work management platforms
• Working with external software vendors and service providers

You do not need to have experience in every area. We are looking for someone with strong technical potential, a genuine interest in application support, and the drive to develop deeper expertise across a varied applications portfolio.

Why work for us

You will join a supportive and collaborative team where you can build broad technical and business knowledge while working with systems that are important to our people and customers.

The role offers variety, visibility and the opportunity to develop beyond a narrow technology specialisation. You will gain experience across application support, troubleshooting, databases, integrations, releases, vendors, business processes and improvement initiatives.

You will also enjoy a range of staff benefits, including staff buying privileges, discounted medical insurance, flu vaccinations, and access to our Occupational Counselling Programme.

If you are energised by solving operational problems, understanding complete systems and helping people get the best from technology, we would love to hear from you.