Job Description

At Northern Tool + Equipment we get up every day to serve the tradespeople who keep our country running strong and the weekend warriors who want to work like them. It’s our mission to make sure they have the right tools for the job, and an easy, hassle-free experience at our store so they can get in, get out and get on with the job at hand. Your top priority as a Solutions Engineer is to serve as a strategic liaison between Business and IT teams, ensuring alignment throughout the full lifecycle of merchandising systems. Act as a technical lead and subject matter expert (SME) for the design, development, implementation, and support of merchandising and inventory systems. Drive the creation and execution of a technology roadmap that supports business strategy and system optimization. Championing best practices, modern approaches, and continuous improvement to deliver scalable, reliable solutions that enable operational excellence. Your positive, professional, roll-up-your-sleeves-to-help attitude contributes to our winning culture and makes sure we leave a lasting impression.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Partner with the business and IT team members to develop, maintain and execute a technology roadmap for merchandising systems to enable business strategies.
2. Coordinate with business process owners and product teams to align technology solutions with business objectives.
3. Provide first and second level operational support using ITIL practices, including incident and problem management for system stability, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. Work with external vendors to drive incident resolution and long-term improvement opportunities.
4. Perform (merchandising) system configuration, set-ups, extensions, and potentially light software development activities.
5. Gain and maintain business operational and technical SME-level knowledge of merchandising systems and apply Agile principles to guide solution development.
6. Conduct complex business and systems analysis and work with IT teams to design technical solutions that improve quality and data integrity.
7. Elicit and document technical requirements and acceptance criteria; review and approve designs throughout development.
8. Produce documentation including technical designs, flow diagrams, user stories, use cases, and test plans to support development and UAT.
9. Collaborate within the product team to prioritize refine backlog items with an eye toward technical complexities, plan releases, and ensure timely delivery of business value.
10. Participate in quality assurance activities such as, but not limited to, test planning and defect management.
11. Support project delivery schedules through technical planning and resource estimation.
12. Conduct and participate in knowledge transfer sessions to team members to build cross-functional expertise.
13. Communicate plans, progress, and issues effectively to management and stakeholders.

What you will bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in IT systems engineering or related roles, with proven ability to lead initiatives and influence cross-functional teams.
• Strong experience with merchandising systems (Assortment Planning, Product Information Management, Inventory Management and Replenishment, etc.) from design through deployment.
• Experience with implementing and/or supporting Intactix (JDA/Blue Yonder Space Planning), Blue Yonder Advanced Replenishment, Informatica Product Information Management, JD Edwards Item Management, and/or D365 Product Information Management/Item Master is a plus.
• Proficiency in hybrid (cloud and on-premise systems) environments, and integration of enterprise systems.
• Experience leveraging Artificial Intelligence and automation tooling for process automation.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and ITIL practices.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with MS Office, Azure DevOps, and process modeling tools (e.g., Visio).
• Certifications such as AWS, Azure, or ITIL are a plus.
• Retail or financial application experience preferred.
• Demonstrates Northern Tool + Equipment’s 12 Core Competencies.

About Us

Northern Tool + Equipment is a family business with roots stretching back three generations to Minnesota’s Iron Range, where our blue-collar work ethic and commitment to serving the people who do the tough jobs was born. Our mission is to be the best in the world at serving the professional tradespeople and those who want to work like them. With over 130 retail stores across 24 states, top national brands and global manufacturing operations designed to create our own specialized tools and equipment, we are busting our knuckles to deliver the products, prices and advice our customers need to succeed. We’re looking for people who share our blue-collar work ethic. If you’re the kind of person who likes to put your nose to the grindstone to help your customers and company succeed, we’d love to talk to you about becoming a member of our team.

Northern Tool + Equipment is proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Top Midsize Employer in 2023 . We are committed to creating a workplace where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is encouraged. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive and competitive compensation package that includes:

• Competitive Pay: Earn $90,300 to $138,330 annually, with your exact compensation personalized based on your skills, experience, and location. We believe in rewarding top talent with pay that reflects your value.
• Flexible Work Schedule: Achieve the work-life balance you deserve with our full-time, 8-hour shifts, Monday – Friday , complemented by a hybrid work schedule that allows you to work both remotely and in the office.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package : Your health and well-being are our priority. We offer a variety of health plans , so you can choose what best fits your needs. Employees working 30+ hours per week enjoy a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) plan with an enhanced company match to support your financial future.
• Generous Employee Discount : Love our products? So do we! Enjoy a significant discount on the quality tools and equipment we offer, helping you save on the items you love to use.
• Get Paid on Your Terms: With our Daily Pay option , you don’t have to wait for payday—access your earnings whenever you need them for added financial flexibility.
• Paid Holidays : Take time to relax and recharge with 7 paid federal holidays , because we know how important it is to have time for yourself and your loved ones.
• Incentives : Be rewarded for eligible incentive programs.

When you join Northern Tool + Equipment, you're not just starting a job—you're joining a community that supports your success. Come be a part of a team where your skills, dedication, and passion are recognized and celebrated. Your future starts here!

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