Sr. Solution Engineer

Sr. Solution Engineer

Location: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS 66106

Work Model: Hybrid

Department: Information Technology

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Overview:

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Configuration Engineer to support strategic, enterprise-wide financial planning and business transformation initiatives across our IT service landscape. This role plays a critical part in advancing our cloud-first strategy, serving as the primary IT owner, data modeler, and platform administrator for our Vena Budgeting and Planning platform, with secondary support across our core HRIS and administrative application ecosystem.

As a customer-facing Application Engineer, you will bridge the gap between business needs and technical system capabilities. You will serve as a trusted advisor and subject-matter expert, guiding internal Finance and HR teams from concept through implementation, workflow design, and post-deployment support. Success in this role requires a passion for complex data modeling, advanced enterprise Excel logic, and workflow automation without the need for traditional software programming.

This role primarily supports the Vena budgeting and planning application as well as other business enterprise systems across Human Resources, Legal, Risk, Compliance, and Business Administration.

Responsibilities:

Deliver Solutions & Platform Configuration (30%)

• Vena Platform Ownership: Serve as the primary administrator for the Vena platform; design, configure, and optimize data models, dimensions, attributes, intersections, and user security permissions.

• Advanced Logic & Template Design: Design, build, and maintain Vena Excel-based input templates and reporting dashboards, utilizing advanced Excel logic (dynamic arrays, complex logical structures) to handle enterprise-level financial data.

• Workflow Automation: Configure and monitor business workflows, task assignments, and audit trails within Vena to support annual budgeting and forecasting cycles.

• Secondary Application Support: Provide configuration changes, process streamlining, and user management for core HRIS, payroll, and general business tools (e.g., Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM, ADP) as bandwidth permits.

Support Availability and Services (25%)

• Data Integration & Troubleshooting: Monitor, test, and troubleshoot data loads and integrations between core business systems (ERP/GL, HRIS) and Vena to ensure data integrity.

• Tier 2/3 Support: Act as the technical lead in diagnosing and resolving system defects, configuration errors, and performance bottlenecks for assigned applications.

• Release Management: Track vendor software release notes, coordinate system updates, and test new features before they go live to ensure zero disruption to business operations.

Development of IT Strategy (25%)

• Business-Focused Consultation: Collaborate closely with Finance Managers, HR Directors, and stakeholders to understand their business problems and translate financial or operational concepts into scalable software solutions.

• Process Mapping: Analyze existing manual processes and design automated, systematic workflows that improve cross-departmental efficiency.

• Documentation & Enablement: Build clear system documentation, data dictionaries, and training materials to enable end-users across departments to maximize their utilization of these tools.

Development and Continuous Improvement Culture (20%)

• Work closely with cross-functional team members to troubleshoot system dependencies and deliver cohesive solutions.

• Maintain a continuous improvement mentality, proactively identifying data architecture optimizations.

• Openly receive and give constructive feedback to elevate the team's delivery capabilities.

Requirements:

Previous Experience & Education:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, Finance/Accounting with a systems focus, Data Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5–8 years of hands-on application administration, configuration, data modeling, or systems analysis experience within an enterprise environment.

• Industry Background: Experience within Retail, Wholesale, or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industries is highly preferred.

• The Excel & Logic Factor: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel (INDEX/MATCH, XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, complex logical structures, and data tables). Must be comfortable treating Excel as a development environment.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Data Literacy & Modeling: Solid understanding of data relationships, relational database concepts, and how data moves seamlessly between distinct enterprise business systems (ERP to CPM/EPM).

• Cross-Domain Knowledge: Solid functional understanding of financial concepts (budgets, forecasts, cost centers, balance sheets) so technical translation layers aren't required when sitting with Finance stakeholders.

• Multi-Platform Technical Agility: Proven ability to work across multiple SaaS technologies with a track record of rapid learning and adopting new systems.

• Analytical Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex business planning requirements and develop effective, scalable data models.

• Business-Focused Communication: Ability to translate technical constraints and system logic into clear, actionable guidance for non-technical stakeholders.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2025 were $12.2 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit AWGinc.com.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time

• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D

• Employee Assistance Program

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 

• Wellness Program

• Yearly Holiday Bonus