Lead Analyst, IT Solutions (SCM Planning)

Smurfit Westrock; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training and development opportunities

Attractive salary reflecting skills and competencies

Corporate culture based on integrity and respect

Job summary

A leading global packaging company is seeking a Lead Analyst in Supply Chain Planning IT to drive technology transformation initiatives within a manufacturing environment. The role requires collaboration with business and IT teams to implement and sustain supply chain management applications. Key responsibilities include platform configuration, data pipeline design, and training planners on advanced tools. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in supply chain planning and technical solutions, and a passion for data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' work experience.
• 3+ years configuring o9 IBP/SOE/MEIO modules in CPG/FMCG/Retail industries.
• Strong experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Configure and optimize the o9 digital planning platform.
• Collaborate with IT and business teams for system implementation.
• Conduct training for regional planners on o9’s tools.

Skills

o9 Configuration

Data Analytics

Supply Chain Planning

Collaboration

Agile Methodology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in data Analytics, Information Systems or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SQL

ServiceNow

Palantir

SAP ECC

Job description

Our IT Solutions organization is transforming how we work at Smurfit Westrock. We partner and align with our businesses to deliver innovative solutions that:

• Deliver Transformation value
• Address specific business challenges, integrate processes, and create great experiences
• Connect our work to shared goals that propel Smurfit 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 who can accelerate our focus areas, such as building stronger foundational technology capabilities, reducing complexity, employing digital transformation concepts, and leveraging disruptive technology.

Location and/or Business/Division Details (if applicable)

Location – Sandy Springs, Atlanta, GA

The Opportunity

Supply Chain Planning IT Team is seeking a Lead Analyst to drive and participate in technology transformation initiatives that primarily support supply chain functions in a manufacturing environment. Acting as a vital part of the digital transformation journey, this role involves close collaboration with Business, IT Engineering and technology teams to implement, and sustain the Supply Chain management suite of technology applications.

This role will serve as a trusted partner, advisor, and thought leader on the future state technology landscape (ERP, SCM Planning application and legacy systems environment), and systems implementation.

This position will be responsible for system configuration, solutioning, solution architecture, designing Data architecture, data modelling, running simulations, solvers and related SCM technology capabilities leveraging o9 platform and related supply chain planning applications.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

As a Lead Analyst in Supply Chain Planning IT, you will be instrumental in configuring, optimizing, and scaling our o9 digital planning platform to enhance forecast accuracy, supply responsiveness, and inventory efficiency across a global manufacturing network. Your contributions will directly enable data-driven decision-making and operational excellence in the following ways:

Platform Configuration

• Configure o9’s Demand Planning, Supply Planning, IBP, MEIO and related processes and workflows to align with Supply Chain business requirements.
• Design Attribute-Based Hierarchies, Time Bucket Profiles, Aggregation/Disaggregation Rules for multi-level planning (SKU, plant, region
• Develop custom planning logic using o9’s planning solvers and scripting tools (Python, R).
• Build master data structures (products, locations, customers) and key figures (demand signals, capacity constraints).
• Optimize pegging rules, supply allocation strategies, and exception management workflows for real-time adjustments.
• Configure Scenarios for what-if analysis (e.g., demand spikes, supply disruptions).

Integration and Data Requirements

• Design & build data pipelines using Palantir or related technologies to integrate and synchronize o9 with ERP systems, Order to Cash, Logistics and Manufacturing execution systems like SAP ECC and external data sources.
• Validate data quality through o9 SSIS database and similar tools, troubleshoot integration errors in collaboration with IT teams.
• Develop interactive dashboards using o9’s KPI Engine to track forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory turnover.
• Configure exception alerts for stockouts, excess inventory, and production, Supply chain bottlenecks.

Testing, Validation, and Support

• Execute unit testing, integration testing, and UAT for o9 configurations, ensuring alignment with business requirements.
• Resolve post-go-live issues via ServiceNow tickets and provide Level 2/3 support for planners.

Documentation & Training

• Create technical playbooks for configurations, including data mappings, calculation logic, and user permissions.
• Train regional planners on o9’s Tag UI, Workflow Designer, and Scenario Manager through hands-on workshops

Business Partnership & Digital Enablement

• Serve as a trusted advisor to supply chain planners, translating business needs into technical solutions within o9.
• Conduct hands-on training and workshops on o9’s Tag UI, Workflow Designer, and Scenario Manager for regional and global teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in planning processes and system adoption.
• Lead design and development of data models and architecture to support supply chain planning functions
• Partner with business and technology teams to define requirements for Supply Chain planning, provide thought-leadership for business partners in design process, prioritization, and acceleration of delivery of information, while collaborating with IT partners to optimize the technical solution to meet business needs.
• Translate complex business needs into actionable data strategies and solutions

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in data Analytics, Information Systems, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years\' work experience
• 3+ years configuring o9 IBP/S&OE/MEIO modules in CPG/FMCG/Retail industries
• IBP, SOE (Sales Operation Execution), STD (Short Term Deployment), , and Segmentation Experience required.
• 2+ full lifecycle implementations of o9 or SAP IBP, including data migration and cutover planning.
• Technical Skills:
• o9 Platform: IBPL, Model Designer, Workflow Designer, Data Structures including Dimensions, Measures, Graphs, KPI Engine, Version/Scenario Management, IBPL (Integrated Business Planning Language) for custom logic development..
• Integration Tools: Integration 3.0 or Similar, Palantir, Snowflake, Talend, Kafka, REST APIs, SAP CPI, Oracle OIC.
• Data Modeling: Time-series forecasting, constraint-based supply models.
• Tools: SQL, ServiceNow
• Preferred Experience
• Certifications: o9 Solutions, SAP IBP, or Kinaxis Rapid Response.
• Exposure to AI/ML-driven demand sensing or control tower frameworks.
• Agile/Scrum methodology experience with Jira board management.
• Strong Supply Chain background with a passion for data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with predictive analytics, machine learning, or emerging data technologies preferred.
• Experience transforming large volumes of data using analytics tools
• Skilled at extracting detailed data from ERP systems and reconciling inconsistencies across sources.
• Ability to design processes outside the ERP to address data gaps or collaborate with source system owners to implement improvements.
• Collaborate with project managers to document issues, risks, action items, and project team decisions from project meetings.
• Work with cross-functional teams, IT, and business stakeholders to ensure the successful planning and execution of the project.
• Identify and document data requirements needed to enable aligned to-be business processes to support supply chain planning
• Analysis of necessary data from sources like ERP systems, Data Lake, Excel sheets, and others. Where data is not available, partner with Smurfit Westrock business points of contact to create missing data elements.
• Very good understanding of supply chain planning functions including demand planning, supply planning, Production Planning
• Experience with the entire lifecycle of a supply chain planning solution implementation, including business requirement gathering, solution design & build, UAT/SIT, go-live/cutover, and value realization.
• Experience using agile methodology to deliver large-scale enterprise implementations.
• Experience in integrating multiple ERP systems and implementing an end-to-end supply chain solution

What we offer:

• 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 the daily work.