Procurement & Logistics Data Analyst

Job Summary

The Procurement and Logistics Department's Data Analyst will assist with the upkeep and improvement of the department's backend data infrastructure and processes, allowing the Procurement Business & Data Analytics Team to effectively deliver data-driven tools and insights that support Procurement and Logistics in serving the Authority. The Data Analyst will bring in-depth knowledge of data retrieval via PeopleSoft (SQL), data wrangling, and building visualizations in Tableau. The Data Analyst empowers stakeholders to make data driven decisions and creates a culture of continuous improvement. Under the direction of the Director of Business Process and Analysis, analysts collaborate with other team members to share knowledge, provide cross-training, and jointly support cross-divisional projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject-matter expert for backend data preparation, including maintaining and enhancing legacy data pipelines in Tableau Prep, and understanding the nuances of Procurement and Logistics' existing data workflows.
• Work with PeopleSoft ERM system of record query team to understand backend tables and their relationships to build queries.
• Enforce data governance standards, including data definitions and documentation (e.g., data dictionaries and process flow diagrams), within the data preparation framework to ensure consistency, accuracy, and reliability of Procurement and Logistics data.
• Design and develop visualizations that support operational needs of Procurement and stakeholder departments.
• Upgrade/maintain pre-existing Tableau reports to reflect new business processes and up-to-date technology.
• Perform analyses of available data as it relates to procurement of goods and services, including but not limited to financial/purchasing data, contract data and inventory data.
• Prepare scheduled and ad-hoc reports, slideshows, and other visual reports incorporating narratives and graphic data, for both online and print format.
• Identify root causes and solve data issues and anomalies using available resources.
• Monitor and manage project deliverables, scope, timelines, issues, risks, and milestones, while establishing and tracking performance measures to evaluate project success.
• Communicate with technical and non-technical team members and operate comfortably deep in the data weeds as well as being able to understand the bigger picture.
• Identify issues that require analyses, providing early notice of problem areas at a high level and at the departmental level.
• Encourage the adoption of existing digital systems and newly deployed digital tools through hands-on training sessions.
• Understand business concepts including business process design, supply chain, strategic sourcing, and/or contract negotiations
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

Supervision

• No direct reports.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in data analytics, data science, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in data science, business analytics, business intelligence, quantitative analysis, or related field.
• Experience in at least one approach to advanced data analysis (e.g. SQL, Python, R, SPSS, GIS, or other).
• Experience with data and data visualization.
• Working understanding of technical systems as related to reporting data flows.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to articulate logic and strategic approaches broadly and to the team.
• Good business acumen, familiarity with basic business and procurement concepts, and an eye for process improvement.

Substitutions

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree requirement.
• An Associate's degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree requirement.
• A Master's degree in a related subject area substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Familiarity with Tableau and some SQL, R or Python/Pandas, and/or Linux/bash.
• Data workflow via Tableau Prep and Tableau Server.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not