IT Business Systems & Continuous Improvement Analyst

the Bullard Co.; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bullard is seeking an IT Business Systems & Continuous Improvement Analyst to optimize manufacturing and business processes by linking ERP, data and continuous improvement initiatives. You will identify root causes, document current and future states, and drive improvements across functions, including operations and IT, with emphasis on Epicor Kinetic adoption and system optimization.

The role emphasizes learning complex systems, collaborating with users, and delivering measurable improvements

Qualifications

• Experience with ERP or business systems in a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to analyze processes, identify root causes, and implement improvements.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Improve business processes by partnering with operations, planning, supply chain, purchasing, customer service, finance, engineering, quality, sales and IT.
• Develop and document current and future state workflows; reduce manual work and data duplication.
• Lead cross-functional projects from requirements through testing, adoption and measurement.

Skills

ERP systems

Business analysis

Continuous improvement

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Epicor Kinetic

ERP software

Job description

IT Business Systems & Continuous Improvement Analyst

Bullard is a fifth-generation, family-owned company, manufacturing innovative personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects workers in the toughest environments—from the fireground to industrial jobsites. Our portfolio includes fire helmets, respiratory protection, thermal imagers, and head/face protection systems trusted for durability, comfort, and performance.

The Role

Bullard is seeking a Business Systems and Continuous Improvement Analyst to improve how our business operates by connecting manufacturing processes, business systems, data, and continuous improvement.

This position will work across manufacturing and business functions to understand current processes, identify root causes and improvement opportunities, and help design and implement better ways of working.

Our primary ERP platform is Epicor Kinetic, but previous Epicor experience is not required. We are looking for someone who understands manufacturing processes, has experience working with ERP or business systems, and can lead improvements from problem identification through implementation, adoption, and measurement.

The successful candidate will receive the support needed to develop functional expertise in Epicor Kinetic and progress toward becoming a primary day-to-day ERP resource within 6 to 12 months.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity may be a strong fit if you have worked in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, planning, continuous improvement, or business systems and have naturally become the person who connects process problems with system solutions.

You do not need to be an Epicor expert. You do need to be comfortable learning complex systems, working with data, constructively questioning inefficient processes, and helping people adopt new ways of working.

What You’ll Do

Improve Business Processes

• Partner with Operations, Planning, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Customer Service, Finance, Engineering, Quality, Sales, and IT to identify and improve business processes.
• Document current-state processes and help process owners design improved future-state workflows.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate manual work, duplicate data entry, unnecessary approvals, workarounds, errors, and process waste.
• Facilitate root-cause analysis and distinguish underlying process problems from their symptoms.
• Establish baseline measures and evaluate improvements in efficiency, cost, quality, lead time, accuracy, system adoption, or business visibility.

Connect Business Needs with Technology

• Gather and document business requirements, workflows, functional specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Evaluate whether needs should be addressed through process changes, ERP configuration, reporting, integration, automation, or software development.
• Facilitate communication between business users, IT team members, consultants, and technology vendors.
• Lead or coordinate cross-functional improvement projects from requirements through implementation.
• Coordinate solution testing, user acceptance, implementation, training, and follow-up.
• Help prioritize and manage a backlog of business-system improvement opportunities.

Develop Epicor Kinetic Expertise

• Develop functional expertise in Bullard's Epicor Kinetic environment and the business processes it supports.
• Investigate ERP issues and determine whether they are caused by process, training, master data, configuration, customization, or infrastructure.
• Support controlled functional configuration, workflows, reporting, dashboards, data management, security administration, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Improve adoption and use of existing ERP functionality.
• Coordinate complex functional and technical issues with internal developers, infrastructure resources, Epicor, and outside consultants.
• Participate in ERP upgrades, release testing, and ongoing system optimization.

Support Users and Organizational Change

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees using Bullard's business systems.
• Communicate issue status, business impact, ownership, and next actions clearly.
• Develop process documentation, work instructions, and role-specific training materials.
• Deliver training and support employees as they adopt new processes and system capabilities.
• Analyze recurring support issues and recommend improvements that prevent them from continuing.
• This position facilitates process analysis and system improvement but does not replace departmental process ownership. Functional leaders remain accountable for business policies, operating decisions, process compliance, and user adoption.

What Success Looks Like (KPIs)

• Develop an understanding of Bullard's core manufacturing and business processes within the first 90 days.
• Assume responsibility for routine Epicor functional support and assigned functional areas within six months.
• Become a primary day-to-day Epicor functional resource within 6 to 12 months.
• Lead at least two cross-functional process or systems improvements with measurable results during the first year.
• Improve critical documentation and maintain a prioritized business-systems improvement backlog.

What You Bring

• Four or more years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations, business systems, business analysis, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Experience working in manufacturing or another environment with integrated operational processes.
• Experience using, supporting, implementing, or improving an ERP or comparable business system.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes such as production, planning, inventory, materials, purchasing, order fulfillment, supply chain, or quality.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze processes, identify root causes, and implement practical improvements.
• Experience gathering requirements and coordinating testing, implementation, and user adoption.
• Ability to work with operational data and validate that system results are accurate.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, customer-service, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional work without direct supervisory authority.
• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience with Epicor, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Plex, QAD, JD Edwards, NetSuite, or another manufacturing ERP platform is relevant.

Nice to Have

• Epicor Kinetic or Epicor ERP
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or formal project-management training
• SQL or relational data experience
• MRP, production planning, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, or supply-chain systems
• Workflow or business-process automation
• ERP implementation or optimization projects

How We Work

• Regular on-site collaboration at Bullard's Cynthiana and Lexington, Kentucky facilities, with some flexibility for remote work.
• Approximately 10 percent travel.
• Regular engagement with employees in manufacturing and operational areas.

Our Commitment to Safety

The successful candidate must have the ability to understand and adhere to all company safety practices, policies, and procedures to maintain a safe working environment for self and others.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills efforts or working conditions associated with the job; it is intended to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential to the job. Incumbents may be required to perform other duties as assigned or as required by the needs of the business.