IT Specialist - FICO

We are seeking a forward-thinking and creative IT Specialist to focus on maximizing the value derived from our IT investments and innovations across our finance application landscape. As an IT Specialist focused on driving business value, you will act as a scout to identify emerging technology trends, a facilitator of creative ideation, and a champion for experimental projects that have the potential to deliver significant competitive advantages for our finance organization.

The ideal candidate is a curious and dynamic individual who excels at the intersection of business analysis, creative problem-solving, and strategic foresight. You will also evaluate technical solutions, define the appropriate business processes and create project specifications for our PMO and delivery partners to execute. This role is pivotal in ensuring our finance technology decisions directly contribute to our overall business success across Avient. This candidate will play a critical role collaborating with finance to improve the SAP FICO landscape, particularly the SAP CO-PA module, to enhance reporting structures, streamline existing processes and deliver actionable insights.

The candidate should also have experience working with other applications commonly used across the finance landscape including T&E platforms, purchasing systems, financial consolidation and closing applications, and tax engines.

Essential Functions

• Transforming technology into value across objectives in Avient IT's four strategic areas:

Accelerate Digital Transformation

Enhance Cybersecurity and Compliance

Drive Business Efficiency and Growth

Build Global Governance

• Develop a deep understanding of the company's strategic goals, business processes, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for IT to drive business value.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate abstract ideas into tangible concepts, defining the problem, outlining the proposed innovative solution, and articulating the potential value proposition.

• Collaborate across IT, finance, and 3rd party partners to ensure SAP CO-PA capabilities are fully leveraged for strategic decision-making and performance insights.

• Proactively scan the external environment for emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, blockchain), disruptive business models, and innovative practices that could be applied to internal business processes.

• Participate in the evaluation of proposed IT projects and investments, conducting cost-benefit analyses, ROI calculations, and other financial assessments to justify technology expenditures based on potential business value.

• Embrace a "fail fast, learn faster" mindset, iterating on concepts based on pilot results and stakeholder feedback.

• Identify and assess potential risks associated with IT projects and investments, quantifying their potential impact on business value and recommending mitigation strategies.

• Act as key resource for unique regional and regulatory processes.

NOTE: The above stated duties are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority of supervisors to assign other tasks of a similar nature or level of responsibility.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Business, Information Systems or related business field, or equivalent experience required

• 8+ years of experience in expanded functional analyst roles and responsibilities

• Demonstrated experience of SAP Profitability Analysis (CO-PA), including configuration, data modeling, and reporting.

• A strong understanding of SAP FICO is essential, with the ability to translate business requirements into effective system solutions and partner with finance teams to drive continuous improvement.

• A proven record of accomplishment of working both independently and as a member of a team.

• Communicates effectively with both technical IT audiences, and non-technical business audiences.

• Demonstrated problem solving skills and creativity applied to IT systems and business processes.

• A keen interest in and understanding of emerging technologies and their potential business applications.

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.

• Successful candidates will be driven to succeed while fostering a great place to work.

Final compensation within this range may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position. The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid time off, paid vacation time, paid parental leave, paid holidays annually. Learn more about our benefits at: Career Opportunities | Avient.

The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. Avient reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

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Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.

Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient.

Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!

We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.

By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.

At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.

Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.