Principal Programmer Analyst

Company Description

Foster Farms has been serving families since 1939. Since the founding days, Foster Farms has always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. Our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our valued Team Members will shine through in everything we do.

Foster Farms is always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms team. We offer the experience of a large organization, however, operate like a family business. More than half of our job openings are filled by internal promotion, and we encourage Team Members to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups.

Job Description

Pay Range $131,780 to $164,725 per year

The Principal Programmer Analyst role is to define, design, develop, test, analyze, enhance, troubleshoot, and maintain new and existing software applications and packaged software based on business requirements involving the various systems utilized at Foster Farms to support the Assigned Areas (SAP and Non-SAP system development). The Principal Programmer Analyst will also research, design, develop, document, and modify software specifications throughout the production software lifecycle. Competencies include hands on experience designing and developing programs utilizing multiple SAP and non-SAP technologies including SAP ABAP, handling multiple assignments, translating the business needs expressed by the business and/or functional analysts into specific technical solution designs, and mentoring junior team members in functional/systems analysis, application design and programming logic/algorithms. This is an advanced technical position and will be required to provide resolution to complex and sometimes ambiguous technical and business-related software application and configuration issues with little to no supervision or guidance. This includes advanced analytical, evaluation, research, debugging, and programming skills including the ability to design, configure, and program complex business solutions. 

Essential Job Functions:

Core Activities

• Analysis: Definition of business problems and opportunities, gathering and documentation of requirements, analysis and organization of information to support formation of projects and solution alternatives, analysis of technology and infrastructure alternatives and implications. Solution deliverable planning and estimation in particular for the Assigned Areas. This includes requirement collection, solution design and concept writing as well as performing necessary customizing activities of Assigned Systems and their interfaces between SAP and other systems including complete complex requirements analysis, design, configuration, with occasional programming and troubleshooting assignments
• System Design: Translation of conceptual alternatives into a descriptive technical model, technical specifications, data flow diagram or other relevant method that defines the system components which must be delivered, and the method for delivering them. Includes functional design, technical design and design validation.
• System Configuration / Development: Building of actual system solutions and demonstration of these solutions to IT and business customers. Configuration of and development within Assigned Systems.
• Baseline Maintenance: Provide ongoing maintenance of applications within assigned areas. Perform, as well as train junior staff to perform, troubleshooting, programming, testing, user testing, IT change control and implementation of assigned applications.
• Knowledge Transfer: Sharing knowledge and experience with other IT resources in a methodical, thorough, and document-driven manner. Preparing knowledge transfer and training curriculums and materials.

Planning and Organizing

• Ensure project plans are in accordance with overall business objectives. Prepare and maintain detailed and summary level project plans. Prepare periodic management status reports and lead status reporting meetings. Collect and monitor data portraying the status of deliverables related to key milestones. Ensure the disciplined use of Foster Farms methodology in the planning and management of all assigned projects.

Application Support

• Provide end user support to the installed base of critical applications at Foster Farms including support for Assigned Systems.

Technology / Change Leadership 

• Conduct technology research to ensure awareness of technology and SAP and non-SAP application development trends. Assist project teams in selecting appropriate technology and development solution approaches. Guide and influence IT management with regards to technology and development strategies and road maps. Challenge the Status Quo in a constructive manner.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in Computer Science, Business Management or related field.
• 5-7 in years of SAP experience in SAP and Non-SAP application development with progressive responsibility in software design, development, configuration and programming including experience using SAP ABAP, C, C++, Visual Basic (VB), Java, PL/SQL, VB.NET, Java, Socket Programming, Shell Scripts and/or Perl.
• Five-eight years development work in a database environment (e.g. SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, etc.)
• Five-eight years involvement in project management using a standardized systems development methodology
• Excellent understanding of coding methods and best practices, and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent teamwork ability and ability to take requirements and design concepts from both senior and junior resources and realize actual solutions.
• Flexibility to deal equally well with scenarios with specific and exact requirements and direction and more ambiguous requirements and designs.
• Ability to work with a diverse workforce
• Must be able to travel overnight occasionally

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s Degree
• IT experience working in a manufacturing organization for a $1+ billion organization.
• Broad consumer products industry experience strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with HTML, XML, XSL, Java script and other B2B communication techniques and standards desired.
• Familiarity with programming utilizing ALE/IDoc/BAPI/BADI technologies, SAPScript, SMART Forms, Dialogue programs, interfacing to/from SAP ECC, and WebDynPro/ITS. 
• Ability to move up within the organization.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new Team Members.