The Role
As a Data Analyst within our Finance Operations team at Next, you will play a key role in obtaining, validating and analysing complex operational and financial data to provide accurate, trusted and actionable insight.
You will develop and maintain reliable data solutions that enable Finance and Third-Party (TP) Retail Operations to make informed decisions. Working with SQL, Databricks and Power BI, you will source and transform data, ensure its accuracy and integrity, develop reporting solutions and translate analysis into clear business insight.
This is a hands-on role requiring strong technical and analytical capability, together with excellent problem-solving and stakeholder skills. You will work with large and complex datasets, identifying the right data sources, validating information, investigating discrepancies and ensuring the data used for reporting and decision-making is accurate and trusted.
Power BI will support the delivery and presentation of reporting and insight, but the core of the role is obtaining, interrogating, validating and accurately analysing data .
This is a fully office-based role and requires you to be based in Leicestershire, with attendance in the office five days a week.
This is an office based role - 5 days a week
What You Will Do
Use SQL/T-SQL to source, transform and analyse complex operational and financial datasets, including data from multiple sources.
Use Databricks to develop and maintain robust data models, data assets and ETL/ELT processes, using approaches such as Medallion Architecture where appropriate.
Validate data, investigate discrepancies and maintain data quality to ensure reporting is accurate, reliable and trusted.
Develop scalable data solutions and Power BI reporting to support effective analysis and decision-making.
Define KPIs and reporting requirements with Finance and operational stakeholders.
Analyse performance, investigate variances and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
Translate complex data into clear recommendations and deliver ad-hoc analysis to support key operational priorities.
Work collaboratively with Finance, Retail and analytical teams to improve data, reporting and analytical processes.
What You Will Bring
Essential
Advanced SQL/T-SQL skills, with the ability to write, optimise and debug complex queries and work with large datasets.
Strong capability in obtaining, extracting and working with data from multiple sources, with a clear focus on accuracy and data integrity.
Strong hands-on Databricks skills, ideally including notebooks, data modelling and ETL/ELT workflows.
Ability to develop reliable, scalable data solutions for reporting and analytical consumption.
Practical Power BI skills, including report and dashboard development, data modelling and an understanding of DAX.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable business insight.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex findings to senior and non-technical stakeholders.
A proactive approach, with the ability to take ownership from requirements through to delivery.
Background working in a large-scale operational environment.
Desirable
Python skills, particularly for data manipulation and scripting.
Knowledge of Databricks Workflows/Jobs and scalable ETL/ELT pipelines.
Understanding of data governance and quality frameworks.
Background in Finance, Retail, Supply Chain or a similar operational environment.
#LI-DC1
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!
