Senior Business Systems Analyst / Systems Analyst – Hybrid – Oudtshoorn at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• A B2B seed production company is looking for an experienced Senior Business Systems Analyst / Systems Analyst to act as the link between the business and its IT/systems/data environment.  This role is suited to a seasoned, hands-on professional who can understand the business at an operational level, engage confidently with management and directors, and provide practical guidance on systems, processes, reporting, and improvements.
• The successful candidate will need to bring sufficient experience, technical understanding, and professional credibility to operate effectively in a flat organizational structure, where they will work directly with employees across the business — from warehouse and operations staff to the owners and directors.

DUTIES:

• Develop a strong understanding of the company’s business operations, processes, workflows, and systems landscape.
• Act as the key link between business users, management, and external IT or systems providers.
• Analyse current business processes and identify inefficiencies, risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Gather, define, and document business and system requirements.
• Translate operational and management needs into clear functional requirements for technical teams or software vendors.
• Evaluate current system usage and recommend practical improvements to increase efficiency, visibility, and control.
• Support and guide users across departments in the effective use of business systems.
• Troubleshoot system-related issues and coordinate appropriate resolution with internal stakeholders and external providers.
• Assist with system enhancements, upgrades, implementations, testing, and user adoption.
• Improve reporting, data accuracy, and management visibility across the business.
• Create and maintain process maps, system documentation, user procedures, and training material.
• Provide informed input to management on systems, process design, controls, reporting, and business improvement opportunities.
• Build credibility and trust across both operational and senior leadership levels.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant qualification in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Analysis, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–10 years’ relevant experience in a similar role such as:
• Systems Analyst
• Senior Business Analyst
• ER / Systems Coordinator
• Operations Systems Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
• IT / Business Support Analyst
• Strong understanding of the relationship between business processes, operational workflows, and systems.
• Proven experience working with business systems such as ERP, inventory, operations, finance, reporting, CRM, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process-improvement capability.
• Experience engaging with both technical teams/service providers and non-technical business stakeholders.
• Experience documenting requirements, process flows, user needs, and system improvements.
• Strong Excel and general systems capability
• Professional fluency in Afrikaans and English required — Afrikaans is the primary language used for day-to-day business operations, internal communication, meetings, and presentations.
• Must be based in, or willing to relocate to, Oudtshoorn.

Preferred / Advantageous Experience:

• Experience in agriculture, seed, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, stock-driven, supply chain, or operational environments.
• Exposure to ERP systems, reporting tools, dashboards, and business data analysis.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, integrations, databases, or related tools.
• Experience working in a small-to-medium sized business where a practical, broad, and hands-on approach is required.
• Experience operating in businesses with a flat structure, where direct engagement with both operations and senior leadership is expected.

ATTRIBUTES:

• A seasoned and credible professional who can command respect through knowledge, judgement, and communication style.
• Comfortable working directly with owners, directors, and senior decision-makers.
• Able to engage equally well with management, warehouse, operations, and administrative staff.
• Practical, grounded, and solutions driven.
• Strong communicator with the confidence to ask questions, challenge appropriately, and make recommendations.
• Able to work independently and take ownership.
• Detail-oriented, organised, and reliable.
• Professional and discreet when handling sensitive business information.
• Comfortable in a close-knit, Afrikaans-speaking company environment, and fit into the culture of the business.