Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Functional Analyst

This role is Home-Based, not on-site. Make a Difference in YOUR Career!Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table. We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We are solutions-based. We are innovative. We seek out new challenges and conquer them. This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table? Position DescriptionThe Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Functional Analyst is responsible for the design, implementation, enhancement, integration, and support of Manufacturing Execution Systems with a primary focus on our MES system Decide4Action (D4A) or similar.This role serves as the functional lead for MES initiatives and enhancements while ensuring seamless integration with SAP S/4HANA Production Execution, SAP S/4HANA Quality Management, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) such as RealSPC, LabVantage, or equivalent solutions.The analyst partners closely with manufacturing, quality, laboratory, and operations teams to translate business requirements into scalable digital manufacturing solutions. The role collaborates extensively with enterprise architects, software vendors, system integrators, and IT teams to deliver business value through technology-enabled process improvements.Key ResponsibilitiesMES Application OwnershipServe as the functional owner for the Decide4Action (D4A) MES platform.Lead MES projects, enhancements and continuous improvement initiatives.Define and maintain MES solution roadmaps aligned with manufacturing and operations strategies.Support MES deployments, upgrades, site rollouts, and system optimization efforts.Manage application lifecycle activities including requirements gathering, design, testing, deployment, and hypercare support.Business Process Analysis & Solution DesignPartner with manufacturing, quality, and laboratory stakeholders to understand business needs and operational challenges.Facilitate workshops, fit-gap assessments, process mapping sessions, and requirements gathering activities.Translate business requirements into functional specifications and solution designs.Evaluate process improvement opportunities and recommend technology solutions that improve efficiency, quality, traceability, and operational performance.Ensure solutions support standardized business processes across manufacturing sites.SAP Manufacturing & Quality IntegrationLead functional integration design and support between D4A and SAP S/4HANA.Support integrated business processes across:SAP S/4HANA Production ExecutionSAP S/4HANA Quality ManagementSAP S/4HANA Production PlanningSAP S/4HANA Materials ManagementSAP S/4HANA Warehouse ManagementSAP S/4HANA Plant MaintenanceEnsure accurate synchronization of:Process OrdersMaterialsRecipes and BOMsQuality ResultsBatch DataGenealogy and Traceability InformationWork with technical teams and vendors to support APIs, middleware, interfaces, master data, and integration architecture.Quality & Laboratory SystemsSupport integration and process alignment between MES and LIMS platforms such as RealSPC, LabVantage, or equivalent solutions.Collaborate with laboratory and quality teams to improve sample management, specifications, test results, and release processes.Support implementation of electronic quality workflows and manufacturing quality controls.Ensure quality data is accurately exchanged between MES, SAP, and LIMS applications.Vendor & System Integrator ManagementServe as the functional liaison between business stakeholders and external software vendors.Coordinate activities with system integrators during project delivery and enhancement initiatives.Review functional designs, technical specifications, estimates, and project deliverables.Participate in vendor performance reviews and roadmap discussions.Ensure vendors deliver solutions that meet business, quality, and architectural standards.Project DeliveryLead end-to-end project activities including:Business case developmentRequirements gatheringFunctional designConfiguration oversightTestingTrainingCutover planningGo-live supportSupport Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid project methodologies.Manage project risks, issues, dependencies, and change requests.Provide status updates to business and IT leadership.Testing & ValidationDevelop and coordinate:Functional Test ScriptsIntegration TestingUser Acceptance Testing (UAT)Regression TestingSupport validation activities for regulated environments where required.Ensure solutions meet business requirements prior to deployment.Operational Support & Continuous ImprovementProvide Level 2 and Level 3 functional support for MES-related incidents and service requests.Analyze recurring issues and implement permanent corrective actions.Monitor system performance, user adoption, and manufacturing KPIs.Identify opportunities for automation, improved traceability, OEE improvements, and reduction of manual processes.Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and quality processes.Architecture & Digital Manufacturing StrategyCollaborate with Enterprise Solution Architects to ensure alignment with enterprise technology standards.Participate in future-state manufacturing architecture planning.Evaluate emerging MES, IIoT, AI, machine learning, and digital manufacturing capabilities.Contribute to the development of manufacturing technology roadmaps and digital transformation initiatives.Required QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business, Computer Science, or related discipline.Experience5+ years of experience as a Functional Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, MES Analyst, or Manufacturing Systems Consultant.Experience implementing or supporting Manufacturing Execution Systems, preferably Decide4Action (D4A), TrakSYS, LineView, SAP Digital Manufacturing, or similar platforms.Experience in SAP S/4HANA manufacturing and quality processes.Experience leading projects and enhancement portfolios in manufacturing environments.Experience working with software vendors, implementation partners, and system integrators.Preferred QualificationsExperience in food & beverage manufacturing.Experience with ISA-95 manufacturing concepts.Experience with OEE, production performance, downtime, and manufacturing analytics.Experience with laboratory systems including RealSPC, LabVantage, or similar.Familiarity with PLC, SCADA, IIoT, and shop-floor connectivity.SAP S/4HANA PP, MM, PE, or QM experience.Experience supporting multi-site global manufacturing deployments.Travel Requirements:Ability to travel up to 20%Other Duties:This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.A Career with Refresco Refresco is passionate about empowering leaders who reflect our core values and live by our leadership behaviors. These behaviors encourage effective leadership within the business, and focus on leading courageously, empowering individuals, and driving company growth as one team. Joining our team as a people manager means you’ll be encouraged to evolve as a leader who prioritizes the success of both you and your team, to deliver results, whilst bringing your authentic self to work. Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:Pay Range: $135,000 - $149,000, plus eligibility for performance-based bonuses based on company objectives. Status: Exempt Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance Short-term disability and long-term disability Pet Insurance Legal Benefits 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match 12 Paid Holidays Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time OffDaysWell-being Benefit Discount and Total Reward Programs Join Refresco TODAYand enjoy a rewarding CAREER! Any employment agency, person, or entity that submits a résumé to this career site or a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Refresco Beverages US, Inc. Refresco Beverages, US Inc., will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person, or entity. Employment agencies that have agreements with Refresco Beverages US, Inc., and have been engaged in a search shall submit a résumé to the designated Refresco recruiter or, upon authorization, submit a résumé to this career site to be eligible for placement fees. Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Job SummaryRequisition Number: MANUF012276Job Category: Information SystemsSchedule: Full-Time