The Role:
The Mainframe is critical to Next’s core business functions, encompassing websites, stores,
warehousing and distribution. Next’s Central Systems team plays a key role in the support, monitoring and development of the Mainframe environment as a whole. We are the key liaison between Application Development and System Support, interacting daily with in-house developers, Mainframe architects and 3rd party system programmers.
This is a key role in an exciting area, as Next continues to expand its mainframe capacity due to the ever-increasing demand for projects.
What You’ll Take On:
As a key member of the team, you will support the Next Application Development teams on strategic projects, ensuring they have the technical backing to succeed. You will actively evaluate, test, and implement new development support toolsets, taking the lead on training the wider team to ensure seamless adoption. Championing system integrity will be a core focus, and you will oversee strict adherence to accepted Mainframe standards and policies across the board.
When issues arise, you will assist with application and system incident investigation, driving root-cause analysis and delivering effective resolutions. You will play an active role in the review and quality assurance of planned change deployments to minimise risk. Additionally, you will collaborate with third parties and business stakeholders to produce sustainable, efficient design solutions, whilst liaising regularly with your team members to plan future developments and support the system.
The successful candidate may be expected to work outside of normal hours where required, and to provide callout support on an exception basis, only after a suitable period. Whilst assistance and training will be available to the right candidate, it is expected that you have the aptitude and self-motivation to develop your own skills and knowledge within the team environment.
What You’ll Bring:
Essential Criteria:
Strong understanding of programming in COBOL/JCL/CICS/TSO/DB2/MQ.
Proven experience working in a Mainframe environment.
Knowledge of System and Application design and programming techniques.
Able to work effectively under pressure to strict deadlines and target dates.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) with both technical and non-
technical audiences
Positive attitude, great interpersonal skills, hardworking and self motivated
Possess a high level of attention to detail and be a great problem solver.
Knowledge of and experience in the full Software Delivery Lifecycle (SDLC).
Desirable Criteria:
ADABAS, Natural, Endevor, IBM MQ, zOS Explorer, zOS Connect, IWS (OPC).
Knowledge of Agile working practices.
#LI-LE1 #LI-Hybrid
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
