FlexPLM Senior Programmer Analyst

At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.

Position Purpose: Builds/implements moderate to complex computer application solutions to meet business informational needs and requirements. Designs, develops, tests, debugs and documents applications based on technical configurations and specifications. Supports and troubleshoots existing applications. Evaluates and analyzes business requirements for new applications and application changes.
 

Overview:

In this new role, the Configuration Analyst will be responsible for system configuration and development activities for PTC’s FlexPLM system as well as its integrations to new Digital Product Creation tools and Digital Asset Management solutions. FlexPLM is a Product Lifecycle Management tool which impacts the way L.L. Bean creates, develops, and houses product specification data across the entire product lifecycle.  In this position, you will collaborate closely with the Merchandising and Supply Chain Operations team, which works in conjunction with Design, Technical Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Lab, QA, Customs & Trade and Raw Material Sourcing teams to identify business requirements.  Given the constantly evolving requirements from various Merchandising and Supply Chain areas, this individual must remain adaptable to assist with and configure additional applications supported by the team including (Blue Yonder, VibeIQ, CLO3D, CLO-Set).

While the primary focus of this role is system configuration and development within FlexPLM and subsequent integrations, we are also looking for someone with an interest in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. While these areas are not an immediate part of the role, there may be opportunities in the future to contribute to data-driven initiatives that enhance other tools supported by this team. A familiarity with data science and a willingness to learn will be valuable as we explore how analytics and machine learning can drive innovation in our product lifecycle management processes.

This individual will also help support other Merchandising/Supply Chain COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) software in an on-call capacity (Blue Yonder, VibeIQ, CLO3D, CLO-Set).

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with various IT partners to ensure seamless integration of product data across the matrix of applications.

• Responsible for the ongoing health and sustainment of PTC FlexPLM, including monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, implementing updates and enhancements to ensure the tool remains effective and efficient.

• Configure and support product development applications including PTC FlexPLM, Flex Connect, and CLO3D, along with any new tools that require team support.

• Assist with technical content and execution of strategic projects demanding environment that covers multiple cross-functional areas.

• Partner with PTC and Kalypso on the development, configuration and integration of COTS software packages and custom code

• Prepare high level designs employing higher-level analytical skills in gathering business requirements and creating solutions.

• Prepare detailed specifications from which software packages are configured, integrations are made and/or programs are written.

• Implement technical solutions by either configuring software packages or code development.

• Collaborate with business area customers to design, develop, test, debug, implement, document and maintain applications.

• Design and develop solutions with a focus on performance and scalability.

• Apply formal methodologies when designing and developing solutions.

• Develop and execute test plans for developed and purchased software. Documents results.

• Provide options for and estimates of viable solutions.

• Estimate and track time required to complete work, for project budgeting and financial tracking.

• Work independently and collaboratively with team; provide regular updates to leader.

• Conduct and participate in design and code reviews.

• Adhere to security standards in support of PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance.

• Provide input to development standards and ensures adherence.

• Coordinate production problem resolution for assigned applications, including working with other technical teams.

• Provide daytime and after-hours on-call support for the Flex PLM solution, Blue Yonder suite and other applications supported by the overall team.

• Mentor and train less experienced team members.

Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Education Level: 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree
Years of Experience: 3+ Years

Skills and Qualifications:

Leadership/Soft Skills

• Flexibility, collaboration, negotiation, facilitation, natural curiosity to learn.

• Develops respect and credibility within their team, IS and the business.

• Can influence at multiple levels within LL Bean and with vendors.

• Can effectively communicate with all levels of the business and IT from end-users and developers to managers.

• Highly collaborative, effectively working with business and IS staff in the adoption, utilization, and support of software.

• Sees the big picture, and how this role impacts the broader IS department and business.

• Continually looks within and beyond their job, anticipating business needs and opportunities.

• Excellent English language skills and comprehension

• Initiative-taking, self-learner, and technically inquisitive

Technical Skills

• Understanding of PTC FlexPLM software, Flex Connect and associated processes throughout the product lifecycle

• Knowledge of PTC FlexPLM functionalities and advanced configurations

• Critical thinking skills, development skills, systems analysis and design, program analysis and design.

• Ability to pick up new technical skills quickly.

• Knowledge of programming best practices

• Familiar with a “suite” of COTS software packages

• System Integration Skills: Installation, deployment, customization, and integration.

• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, SaaS computing model.

Technologies:

• JavaScript, Java, SQL, PL/SQL, REST, Soap, Python, Excel/Visual Basic

• Databases: SQL Server, Oracle

• Source Control and Issue Tracking tools (preferably GitHub, Jira)

• Postman or other API Development, testing software.

Methodologies:

• Familiarity with both Waterfall and Agile system development methodologies. 

• Familiarity with overall practice of Requirements Definition, Systems Analysis and Design, Program Analysis and Design, Testing and Debugging.

• TDD, Unit Testing, BDD

Additional Skills (Not Required, but a Plus):

• Experience with coding in object-oriented languages including, but not limited to C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.

• Project Management skills or experience a plus

• Experience in understanding of the software development life cycle

• Experience with Large Language Models

• Familiarity with Blue Yonder, CLO, CLO-Set and/or VibeIQ a bonus

• Proficiency in data science python libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, StatsModels, and Sklearn a plus.

• General knowledge of supervised/unsupervised machine learning techniques.  Experience with timeseries forecasting methods including statistical algorithms (such as Holt-Winters and AVS graves) and machine learning algorithms (such as MLR, GAM, and Prophet) a plus.

• Experience with data wrangling, preparation, and cleansing for model ingestion a plus.

• Knowledge of cloud-based data storage and hosting platforms such as Snowflake and Azure a plus.

• Experience utilizing IT Service Management tools such as Service Now and Control-M

If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.

If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you!   At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us.  We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote belonging.