Sr Technical Solutions Analyst - Merchandise Planning, Allocation and Supply Chain Operations

The Senior Technical Solutions Analyst serves as the technical expert within the Merchandise Planning and Allocation (MP&A) and Supply Chain Operations product team, translating business needs into scalable system solutions. The role leads technical discovery, solution design, implementation, optimization, and support to improve business processes, maximize technology investments, and deliver dependable experiences for functional users. By enabling the technology and processes that help the business buy the right amount of product and position it in the right locations at the right time, this role supports Vera Bradley’s turnaround by helping reduce inventory costs and markdowns, minimize out-of-stocks, and maximize opportunities to drive topline sales.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Business Partnership & Process Discovery

Partner directly with Merchandise Planning & Allocation and Supply Chain Operations teams to understand business processes, challenges, priorities, and desired outcomes.

Facilitate business-process and technical discovery sessions to identify root causes, clarify requirements, and evaluate opportunities to improve processes through technology.

Develop and maintain trusted relationships with functional users, product leaders, technology partners, and external vendors.

Proactively gather feedback from functional users and assess satisfaction with system capabilities, implemented solutions, and ongoing support.

Translate business needs and product priorities into clear technical requirements, specifications, solution options, and product backlog items.

Communicate technical concepts, constraints, risks, and recommendations in language that functional users and business leaders can understand.

Solution Design & Technical Leadership

Serve as the technical subject-matter expert for assigned MP&A and Supply Chain Operations systems, including their configurations, integrations, data, and supporting technologies.

Partner with the Product Manager and functional users to evaluate solution options and recommend approaches that balance business value, technical feasibility, supportability, security, and long-term sustainability.

Design and lead the implementation of technology solutions that support product goals, improve business processes, and maximize the value of existing technology investments.

Configure supported applications and collaborate with developers, integration teams, data teams, vendors, and other technology partners when broader technical capabilities are required.

Ensure the technical perspective is incorporated into product planning, prioritization, solution design, implementation, and daily product-team activities.

Maintain a current understanding of relevant technology capabilities and emerging solutions to identify opportunities for improved functionality, efficiency, reliability, and business value.

Requirements, Testing & Implementation

Develop detailed functional and technical requirements, specifications, process flows, data requirements, and acceptance criteria for new capabilities and system enhancements.

Validate that proposed solutions address documented business requirements and align with established technical architecture, integration, security, data privacy, and support standards.

Lead or coordinate system configuration, technical testing, defect resolution, implementation planning, and production deployment activities.

Partner with functional users to support user acceptance testing and confirm that solutions perform as intended within end-to-end business processes.

Evaluate implemented solutions after launch, gather user feedback, and recommend adjustments needed to improve adoption, usability, stability, or business outcomes.

Create and maintain system documentation, configuration records, support procedures, and knowledge materials necessary for reliable ongoing operations.

Application Support & Continuous Improvement

Lead advanced application support and root-cause analysis for assigned enterprise systems, integrations, and related business processes.

Diagnose and resolve complex system issues while providing timely, clear communication to affected users and stakeholders.

Identify recurring incidents, process gaps, and system limitations, then recommend and implement corrective or preventive improvements.

Monitor solution performance and support outcomes to ensure commitments are met and users receive reliable, effective technology services.

Coordinate issue resolution across functional teams, technology teams, shared-service providers, software vendors, and implementation partners.

Facilitate the effective use of shared technology services, reusable capabilities, established standards, and organizational best practices.

Participate in the on-call rotation and provide after-hours support when required for critical incidents, scheduled implementations, or business operations.

Team Capability & Knowledge Sharing

Share technical expertise, product knowledge, and problem-solving practices with other analysts and product-team members.

Mentor analysts through technical guidance, solution reviews, troubleshooting support, training, and knowledge transfer.

Contribute to the development of consistent analyst practices, documentation standards, and reusable methods across the Analyst Center of Excellence.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems/MIS, computer science, business or related field or equivalent experience

5+ years technical experience in Information Technology in support of enterprise class systems

Exposure to enterprise class system(s) as it relates to the functional areas required (Merchandise Planning and Allocation and Supply Chain Operations)

Experience with Agile/Scrum development methodology preferred

Experience with SCALE, D365, and Retail Planning systems preferred (ex. Blue Yonder, O9, Toolio, Retail Oracle, Centric Planning, M19)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Dedication to delivering solutions for the success of all brands

Ability to articulate technical concepts in a relatable way to business users

Strong background in application development and database technologies and concepts

Excellent PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office software

Proven problem solving and analytical skills

Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

Excellent organization and follow through skills

Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills

Ability to build and maintain good rapport with internal and external customers and handle situations with confidence, tact and resourcefulness

Flexible, adaptable with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast paced office environment

Strong team player

Ability and willingness to mentor team members and perform technical training and knowledge transfer

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Flexibility to provide after hours support (on call) and to occasionally work 2nd and 3rd shifts as well as weekends

Office environment. Utilizing an office desk – sitting, reading, listening, or speaking with the