IT Production Analyst: East London

Company Description We are a global specialty and branded pharmaceutical company, improving the health of patients across the world through our high quality and affordable medicines. Active at every stage of the value chain, we are uniquely diversified by geography, product and manufacturing capability.

Aspen is a dynamic organization built on entrepreneurial strength and forward-thinking minds. We attract high performing individuals who are passionate about their career and have a desire to exceed expectations. At Aspen, not only do we source for the best talent, but we also provide a host of opportunities for continuous development.

The Group’s key business segments are Manufacturing and Commercial Pharmaceuticals comprising Regional Brands and Sterile Focus Brands. We have approximately 9 100 employees at 69 established offices in over 50 countries and we improve the health of patients in more than 150 countries through our high quality, affordable medicines.

OBJECTIVE OF ROLE To act as a liaison between factory departments and factory IT, ensuring that the factory IT systems supporting the manufacturing floor are optimized, resilient, and data driven. This role involves enabling the SA Commercial factory business by identifying and delivering innovative, cost-effective technology solutions aligned with current technologies.

Key Responsibilities Requirements Gathering, Analysis, Design and Testing

• Stakeholder requirements gathering and elicitation documenting functional & non-functional specifications and user stories
• Design and implement software solutions in accordance with architectural standards and applicable GDT frameworks
• Evaluate for technical, financial and business feasibility
• Facilitate scrum and Stand-Up sessions
• Work on User Stories / Cases
• Facilitate design sessions with implementation teams to define solutions
• Create, analyse, and validate detailed functional specifications
• Testing of Solutions / Applications
• Share knowledge with other IT and Production Teams
• Provide maintenance and support on applications and infrastructure specific to the production environment, including wireless connectivity, handheld scanners and PLC data interfaces.

IT Governance

• Ensure solution designs have appropriate signoffs from all required stakeholders (Business, Finance, Architecture, Quality, RA etc)
• Assess and remediate any security vulnerability that may exist in technology
• Ensure solutions are designed in accordance with relevant GDT frameworks / audit requirements
• Ensure all risks are clearly documented and appropriate mitigations considered. All risks to be signed off by relevant stakeholders
• Drafting and maintaining procedures for application support; including technical documentation and system configuration maps
• Authorises and monitors access to applications and investigates unauthorized access
• Adherence to established safety, security and quality standards
• Maintain IT systems in alignment with policies and procedures

Stakeholder Management

• Understanding of Business Processes and Stakeholder pain points
• Provide Application support and training for clients
• Train clients on new and existing Applications. Train super-users in business
• Benefit Tracking and Reporting
• Documents Corrective Actions and Lessons Learnt
• Monitoring performance of applications compared to Service Level Agreements
• To coordinate responses to reported incidences and restore service as soon as possible, in accordance with agreed procedures, while keeping stakeholders apprised of service restoration progress
• Collaborate with Engineering and Operations teams to ensure GxP compliance and system validation standards are met during hardware or software updates

Innovation and continuous improvement

• Analyse production business processes and value streams and recommend IT Driven automation or software enhancements for improvement opportunities
• Drive business-enabled innovation using technology - support Innovation platform (roll-out, maintenance, forums etc)
• Support benefit tracking of solutions derived through Innovation Pipeline
• Identifying and assessing new technologies, and working with service providers to drive Proof-of-concept (POC) initiatives
• Operationalising new technologies once POC value and effectiveness has been established
• Contributing to creating and reviewing systems capability strategy, reports and technology roadmaps and the sharing of knowledge and insights
• Synthesize data from disparate sources—such as ERP systems, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and IoT sensors—to create a "single source of truth" for production health.
• Design, develop, and maintain automated dashboards that track real-time manufacturing performance (e.g., OEE, throughput, downtime, and quality metrics).

Educational Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12
• Diploma / Degree in Information Technology field or equivalent work experience (5+ years) in an Information Technology environment

Knowledge & Experience Requirements

• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in business analysis or systems support
• Extensive experience in Service management environment
• Strong understanding of SDLC and Agile methodologies
• Certification in Business Analysis beneficial
• Understanding of ITIL or similar ITSM frameworks
• Understanding of ERP systems e.g. SAP
• Experience and sound knowledge of business processes and customer support practices and improvement practices

Soft Skills And Competency Requirements

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong facilitation skills and excellent communication
• Integrity & Honesty
• Customer Focused
• Proactive and results-driven
• Innovative
• Effective Problem solving and troubleshooting
• Accuracy & attention to detail
• Self-development orientation
• Dedication
• Assertive, persistence and persuasive
• Logical & Lateral thinking
• Ability to document requirements and map processes clearly
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities

Computer Skills Required

• Extensive knowledge of applications like Microsoft PowerApps, Microsoft Forms, Power Platform, Power BI, SharePoint
• Extensive knowledge of factory production systems (OT - operational technology)
• Sound knowledge of methodologies & frameworks such as ITIL, Agile, SDLC, Waterfall
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio
• Basic understanding of ERP system - SAP
• Basic knowledge of End user support application - ServiceNow
• Data Analysis skills
• Microsoft O365 tools and collaboration platforms

DRIVERS LICENCE The successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel as per the expectations of the role.

FEEDBACK Please note that if you have not heard from the Human Capital department within 30 days of this advert closing, your application has unfortunately been unsuccessful.

INTERNAL APPLICATIONS Internal Applications must be completed using an Aspen mailing address after applicants have informed their direct line managers of their application for this specific role.

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