Sr IT Business Analyst - Digital Manufacturing

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.

Position Summary: 

The opportunity: 

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 providing primary IT business and application support in the Containerboard and Consumer mill facilities.

  In addition, they will:

• 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.  Work with other IT development staff to ensure proper integration of Aveva products with other Mill Systems.
• Document related business processes, document PI System configurations and design, develop end-user instructions, develop training material along with training end users.
• 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.        Establish solid and effective working relationships in a fast-paced environment.
• Become knowledgeable of other 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 but not limited to database and hardware upgrades as well as the addition of functionality.
• Serve as a technical and support resource for Systems that are a consumer or supplier of PI System Data

How you will impact WestRock:

• Act as a subject matter expert on applications in the supported portfolio ensuring that best practices are defined and implemented around security and stable deployment of applications and solutions.
• Assist with configuration, testing, and deployment of enhancements around projects and 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.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least one year as a PI System Administrator or similar role.
• 5 years overall experience in a similar role
• Familiar with manufacturing practices and terminology, working knowledge of processes related to Process Control, DCS Systems, PLC’s and OPC interfaces.
• Understanding of Microsoft Office products and be proficient with MS Excel.
• Working knowledge of the SQL Server, Active Directory and Windows Operating Systems
• Ability to set and work to deadlines, handle multiple priorities, 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 relate technical solutions to business needs, ability to express ideas clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to work with many different personality types inside IT and in the user community; ability to flex communication style, approach and content based on the audience.
• IT and Process knowledge sufficient to gain credibility with user community and to speak in business terms about sometimes 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.

Skills/Knowledge Desired:

• Managing OSI Soft PI System and integrated security model.
• Ability to configure and troubleshoot interfaces: including OPC, UFL, PI2PI and networking interfaces (SNMP, Ping, and Performance Monitor)
• Ability to troubleshoot and create PI system tags: including Performance Equations, PI-AF, Totalizers, and interface specific tags.
• Familiar 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.
• Familiar with Agile /Scrum processes.

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.