IT Business Analyst - Digital Manufacturing

WestRock Company; Illinois; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training programs

Competitive salary

Global packaging company culture

Job summary

WestRock Company in Illinois seeks an IT Business Analyst for Digital Manufacturing to support cutting‑edge applications in the pulp and paper industry and provide primary IT business and application support in the Containerboard and Consumer mill facilities.

The role focuses on Aveva PI System configurations, data interfaces, and collaboration with IT teams to improve efficiency, reliability, and process alignment across plant systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least one year as a PI System Administrator or similar role.
• Five years overall experience in a similar role.
• Familiar with manufacturing practices and terminology, working knowledge of processes related to Process Control, DCS Systems, PLCs and OPC interfaces.
• Understanding of Microsoft Office products and proficiency with MS Excel.
• Working knowledge of SQL Server, Active Directory and Windows Operating Systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an Aveva (PI System) expert to implementation teams as well as to key users in configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting Aveva and related interfaces.
• Work with business personnel and implementation team members to understand business needs, identify, design, and implement technology solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness of business processes.
• Support all installed Aveva Components (PI data archive, PI‑AF, PI Notifications, PI Vision and other related Aveva modules).
• Develop specifications for Aveva configurations, interfaces inbound and outbound; collaborate with IT development staff to ensure proper integration of Aveva products with other Mill Systems.
• Document related business processes, PI System configurations and design, develop end‑user instructions, training material, and conduct end‑user training.
• Identify improvement opportunities, work with key users to develop improvement plans, manage the plans, test, and implement.
• Provide data analysis and problem‑solving/troubleshooting services.
• Work with internal WestRock IT personnel and external contractors, where required, to deliver needed functionality and establish solid working relationships in a fast‑paced environment.
• Become knowledgeable of other Smurfit WestRock systems as required to effectively support the business processes that interact with the PI System.
• Support, maintain and manage upgrade projects for the Environmental Reporting Systems, including database and hardware upgrades and the addition of functionality.
• Serve as a technical and support resource for systems that are a consumer or supplier of PI System Data.

Skills

PI System

SQL Server

MS Excel

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

PI System Administrator experience

Tools

OPC interfaces

PI Vision

Aveva PI

Job description

Our technology organization is transforming how we work at WestRock. We align with our businesses to deliver innovative solutions that:

• Address specific business challenges, integrate processes, and create great experiences
• Connect our work to shared goals that propel WestRock forward in the Digital Age
• Imagine how technology can advance the way we work by using disruptive technology

We are looking for forward‑thinking technologists that can accelerate our focus areas such as building stronger foundational technology capabilities, reducing complexity, employing digital transformation concepts, and leveraging disruptive technology.

IT Business Analyst - Digital Manufacturing

Position Summary

This position will be part of the Digital Manufacturing application team. The associate is responsible for supporting, leading, and developing cutting‑edge applications for the pulp and paper industry and providing primary IT business and application support in the Containerboard and Consumer mill facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an Aveva (PI System) expert to implementation teams as well as to key users in configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting Aveva and related interfaces.
• Work with business personnel and implementation team members to understand business needs, identify, design, and implement technology solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness of business processes.
• Support all installed Aveva Components (PI data archive, PI‑AF, PI Notifications, PI Vision and other related Aveva modules).
• Develop specifications for Aveva configurations, interfaces inbound and outbound; collaborate with IT development staff to ensure proper integration of Aveva products with other Mill Systems.
• Document related business processes, PI System configurations and design, develop end‑user instructions, training material, and conduct end‑user training.
• Identify improvement opportunities, work with key users to develop improvement plans, manage the plans, test, and implement.
• Provide data analysis and problem‑solving/troubleshooting services.
• Work with internal WestRock IT personnel and external contractors, where required, to deliver needed functionality and establish solid working relationships in a fast‑paced environment.
• Become knowledgeable of other Smurfit WestRock systems as required to effectively support the business processes that interact with the PI System.
• Support, maintain and manage upgrade projects for the Environmental Reporting Systems, including database and hardware upgrades and the addition of functionality.
• Serve as a technical and support resource for systems that are a consumer or supplier of PI System Data.

Impact

• Act as a subject‑matter expert on applications in the supported portfolio, ensuring best practices are defined and implemented around security and stable deployment.
• Assist with configuration, testing, and deployment of enhancements around projects, platform, and infrastructure improvements.
• Troubleshoot system issues, perform root cause analysis, and coordinate fixes with vendors and technical teams.
• Develop process flows, test scripts, training materials, and SOPs.
• Deliver timely and effective technical support to minimize downtime and keep employees productive.
• Improve customer satisfaction by resolving issues professionally, clearly, and with a strong focus on service quality.
• Identify recurring technical problems and help implement long‑term solutions that reduce repeat incidents.
• Strengthen system reliability by monitoring support trends and escalating critical issues before they become larger business disruptions.
• Contribute to process improvement by documenting solutions, creating knowledge articles, and standardizing support procedures.
• Support business continuity by ensuring users have reliable access to the tools, systems, and applications they need to perform their jobs.
• Enhance team efficiency by collaborating with other IT groups to resolve cross‑functional issues quickly and effectively.
• Protect company assets by following security best practices, supporting compliance requirements, and promoting safe technology use.
• Provide actionable insights by tracking ticket patterns, response times, and root causes to help drive better support decisions.
• Build trust across the organization by being dependable, responsive, and proactive in addressing user needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least one year as a PI System Administrator or similar role.
• Five years overall experience in a similar role.
• Familiar with manufacturing practices and terminology, working knowledge of processes related to Process Control, DCS Systems, PLCs and OPC interfaces.
• Understanding of Microsoft Office products and proficiency with MS Excel.
• Working knowledge of SQL Server, Active Directory and Windows Operating Systems.
• Ability to set and work to deadlines, handle multiple priorities, and organize work.
• Business process and analysis skills, systems design, and analysis skills.
• Development of documentation, training material, and instructional skills.
• Good communication skills, ability to relate to users in business terms, and express ideas clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to work with many different personality types inside IT and the user community; adapt communication style and content accordingly.
• IT and process knowledge sufficient to gain credibility with the user community and to speak in business terms about complex process and technical issues.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a matrixed, team‑oriented IT environment.
• Leadership and relationship‑management skills at all organizational levels.
• Ability to work with end‑users and end‑user management effectively to understand needs and prioritize work.
• Ability to manage expectations and handle difficult situations.
• Ability to organize and plan work to meet goals and deadlines.
• Effective in a fast‑paced, multi‑constituent environment.

Desired Skills

• Managing OSI Soft PI System and integrated security model.
• Ability to configure and troubleshoot interfaces: OPC, UFL, PI2PI, and networking interfaces (SNMP, Ping, and Performance Monitor).
• Ability to troubleshoot and create PI system tags: Performance Equations, PI‑AF, Totalizers, and interface‑specific tags.
• Familiarity with running a mission‑critical application in a High Availability Environment.
• Understanding of database technologies such as MS SQL and related infrastructure.
• Knowledge of help‑desk software and help‑desk processes.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum processes.

Benefits

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety and inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of daily work.