Business Data Analyst

Sonepar•Upper Marlboro, MD

1d•$75,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Business Data Analyst to join our Finance Operations & Analytics team in Upper Marlboro, MD. This role will focus on reporting automation, data visualization, and AI-driven insights to support data-informed decision-making in our finance and operations functions. The Business Analyst will develop and automate financial and operational reports, build interactive dashboards in Power BI and advanced Excel models, and leverage AI tools to uncover actionable insights. The Business Analyst will support broader finance operations initiatives by providing analytical expertise and process improvements across the organization. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, detail-oriented professional with strong analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills, and a drive to continuously improve business processes through data and technology.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of Data Analytics experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft Power BI and Excel is required, with a proven ability to create complex spreadsheets, pivot tables, macros, and interactive dashboards.
Familiarity with data analysis techniques (e.g., data modeling, trend analysis) and experience in building reports and visualizations for business or finance operations.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with experience interpreting large datasets to derive insights and support decision-making.
Ability to perform data validation, detect anomalies or trends, and translate data into meaningful conclusions for business strategies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings and complex analysis in a clear, concise manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment, collaborating with colleagues from finance, operations, IT, and other departments.
A track record of building positive working relationships and influencing others to achieve project goals.
Strong commitment to accuracy and detail in data handling, report generation, and documentation.
Must be able to ensure data quality and consistency across all reports.
Proven ability to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset.
Capable of identifying the root cause of business issues and recommending data-driven solutions or process improvements.

Responsibilities

Identify and implement opportunities to automate recurring financial and operational reporting processes, reducing manual work and improving efficiency. This includes developing scheduled automated workflows (e.g., using Power Query or scripting) for regular reports and ensuring data refreshes are timely and accurate.
Design, develop, and maintain interactive dashboards and data visualizations using Microsoft Power BI and Excel to track key performance indicators (KPIs), financial metrics, and operational trends. Ensure that reports and visuals effectively communicate insights and support management in understanding business performance.
Leverage AI and advanced analytics tools (such as machine learning models or predictive analytics software) to analyze large datasets and generate forward-looking insights (e.g., trend analysis, forecasts, anomaly detection) that inform strategic decisions in finance and operations. Stay current with emerging AI technologies and evaluate their potential to enhance reporting processes and business intelligence capabilities.
Gather, analyze, and interpret financial and operational data from various sources to identify patterns, correlations, and opportunities for improvement. Provide actionable insights through data analysis and clearly communicate findings to stakeholders, translating complex data into business recommendations.
Work closely with cross-functional teams – including finance, operations, IT, and key stakeholders – to understand reporting needs, define business requirements, and ensure solutions meet those needs. This includes partnering with other Data Analysts on data collection, validation, and analysis efforts to support broad finance operations initiatives and organizational goals.
Analyze current finance operations processes (such as budgeting, forecasting, expense tracking, and financial reporting) to identify process inefficiencies or bottlenecks. Recommend and help implement improvements or automation (potentially utilizing AI tools or macros) to enhance the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of financial operations and reporting.
Develop and maintain clear documentation for all reporting processes, data definitions, and dashboard usage guidelines to ensure knowledge transfer and continuity. Train team members and stakeholders on using new reports or analytical tools as needed.
Ensure data accuracy, quality, and security in all reporting activities. Support data governance efforts by validating data against source systems and working with IT or data engineers to resolve data quality issues. Assist in internal or external audits by providing required data and documentation, ensuring that reports comply with company policies and financial controls.
Continually monitor industry trends and best practices in financial analytics, business intelligence, and AI applications in finance. Proactively propose innovative solutions or tools (e.g., improved visualization techniques, new analytics platforms) that could benefit the Finance Operations & Analytics team and the organization’s decision-making capabilities.