A Master Data Analyst is a professional who plays a crucial role in organizations by ensuring accurate and high-quality data management. They are responsible for analyzing and interpreting complex data sets to extract meaningful insights that drive informed business decisions. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Master Data Analysts.

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Main Responsibilities of a Master Data Analyst

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Master Data Analyst:

Adhere to

Adhere to the defined MDM governance documentation.

Analyze

• Analyze large datasets to identify data quality issues and inconsistencies.

• Analyze reports to help inform and drive real time transactions in the suites.

Assist in

• Assist in data-driven decision-making by providing accurate and timely data insights.

• Assist in the preparation of information to support audit requirements.

• Assist Supply Chain Manager with training and procedure updates.

• Assist with change management activities.

• Assist with operational analytics and reporting as assigned.

Assure

Assure and maintain data integrity in all work.

Author

Author, maintain and review Data Governance Job Aides describing detailed Data Steward activities.

Build

• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholder groups and other master data teams.

• Build change management plans of varying scope and type.

• Build effective relationships with internal / external stakeholders and ensures alignment.

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders in domain and or business units.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate and work cross-functionally by collecting data and implementing strategic data processes.

• Collaborate with business analysts to understand data requirements for new initiatives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand data requirements and provide data-driven solutions.

• Collaborate with data requestors and stakeholders to implement data capabilities and processes.

• Collaborate with data scientists and data engineers to support advanced analytics initiatives.

• Collaborate with IT teams to optimize data storage and retrieval processes.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define data standards and data classification criteria.

Communicate with

• Communicate clearly and timely all material related updates to the appropriate departments.

• Communicate with vendors and relay information to internal team members.

• Communicate with vendors to obtain any missing data or documents (ex. MSDS / SDS).

Complete

• Complete data cleansing as needed.

• Complete routine and annual SOX review processes in a timely manner.

• Complete work with excellent attention to detail and data accuracy.

• Complete work with excellent attention to detail & data accuracy.

Conduct

• Conduct data analysis using statistical techniques and tools.

• Conduct data audits and ensure compliance with data governance policies and regulations.

• Conduct data impact analysis for system changes and enhancements.

• Conduct data profiling to identify data quality improvement opportunities.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and deliver client training sessions related to use of SAP Master Data.

• Coordinate material and finished product master data setup validation and periodic maintenance.

Cover

Cover teamwork by using standard processes and tools.

Create

• Create a culture where data is managed as a valuable corporate asset.

• Create all levels of production BOMs and ensure R&D Compliance with other systems and standards.

• Create and maintain bill of material master data in AX.

• Create and maintain filing solutions for master data supporting documents.

• Create and modify items as appropriate.

• Create and updates SOPs in scope and other process documentation.

• Create and updates the SOPs / Process Maps and other process documentation.

• Create data visualizations and reports to effectively communicate insights to stakeholders.

• Create supplier master records in Oracle in accordance with BURNCO's.

Define

• Define, designs, and builds data, data structures and processes to meet business needs.

• Define, update and implement master data standards.

• Define, update, and implement master data standards.

Design

Design and maintain data models and databases for efficient data storage and retrieval.

Develop

• Develop and Conduct SAP training as required.

• Develop and implement data validation processes to ensure data accuracy.

• Develop and maintain data dictionaries and data documentation for reference and knowledge sharing.

• Develop and maintain data quality metrics and perform regular data quality assessments.

• Develop and maintain data validation rules and processes.

• Develop and maintain EDI documentatio.

• Develop and review process documentation.

Document

• Document and maintain operational procedures and processes.

• Document DG recommendations and decisions for DG Requests and maintain DG documentation.

Educate

Educate users on master data processes and business rules.

Enforce

Enforce and Supports DG processes & works to ensure DG Requests are resolved.

Ensure

• Ensure all data discrepancies are communicated to stakeholders.

• Ensure all functions periodically review and update key fields on a standard cadence.

• Ensure compliance to work standards, policies and procedures.

• Ensure correct unit of measure for each item is specified within systems.

• Ensure D365 system information accuracy through various data validation methods.

• Ensure supplier set up in ancillary systems if required.

Escalate

Escalate data and compliance issues.

Evaluate

Evaluate / recommend emerging technologies that may contribute to our analytical platform.

Execute

• Execute changes to SAP master as approved by the business.

• Execute data maintenance / creation to effectively support the business.

Extract

Extract reports such as BOM etc for both internal and external customers as required.

Generate

Generate reports on inputted data to drive strategic decision making.

Govern

• Govern, facilitate and maintain the finance data lifecycle.

• Govern and support business data models, data flows and data lineage mapping for Regulatory data.

Handle

Handle a dynamic work environment with competing priorities.

Identify

• Identify and resolve data integration issues across various systems and platforms.

• Identify data trends and patterns to support business forecasting and planning.

• Identify opportunities for process automation and develop data-driven solutions.

• Identify opportunities to enhance process efficiency and automation.

Implement

Implement data security measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Inform

Inform internal and external users about data changes, modifications or updates.

Liaise with

Liaise with other departments on process improvement, system design and projects as required.

Maintain

• Maintain and prepares documentation of RIM dictionary content.

• Maintain Regulatory Information Management (RIM) dictionaries in system.

Manage

• Manage account cleanups and issue resolution with external customers and internal stakeholders.

• Manage demand ticket items relating to master data.

• Manage duplicate checks within established timelines.

• Manage high volumes of requests, prioritizing work through a strong knowledge of business impacts.

• Manage requests for changes to supplier data and complete checks to ensure validity of checks.

• Manage the intake and processing of requests for new supplier set ups.

• Manage the monthly Medpro file extract to scrub both DEA and State license data.

• Manage the relationship with all business partners related to Master Data requests.

Monitor

• Monitor and troubleshoot data-related issues in real-time.

• Monitor data performance and recommend improvements for data quality and efficiency.

• Monitor supplier compliance to HSE requirements and update supplier master data as required.

Participate in

• Participate in data governance committees and contribute to data strategy development.

• Participate in Health and Safety programs designed to ensure our \u0026ldquo.

• Participate in projects and initiatives across multiple functional areas as needed.

• Participate in the cleansing, extraction and conversion process of the item-related data into MS DAX.

Perform

• Perform data profiling and data cleansing activities to improve data quality.

• Perform mass updates and other technical data support.

• Perform mass updates as required.

• Perform root cause analysis for data-related issues and implement corrective actions.

Present

Present prepared analysis to Data Owners & works together to resolve DG Request.

Process

Process improvement mindset.

Provide

• Provide advice and guidance to assigned business / group on implementation of data solutions.

• Provide backup when other team members are on vacation or away from the office.

• Provide day-to-day creation and maintenance of SAP Master Data.

• Provide mentorship to co-op student on ad hoc projects.

• Provide reporting-related work on Material Master Data.

• Provide support in SAP implementation and rollout projects related to material master data stream.

• Provide training and support to end-users for data-related tools and processes.

Reconcile

Reconcile user-created items against the suppliers' price file and in-house systems.

Report

Report on accuracy and completeness of supplier master data, and execute plan to cleanse data.

Respond to

Respond to information requests from Customer Service Reps, Contracts, Credit Collections and Trade.

Review

• Review data inputting and processes to ensure quality, consistency, and timeliness.

• Review SAP data for accuracy against technical standards and develop remediation plan.

Run

Run ad hoc and scheduled reports to audit data integrity in the respective systems.

Share

Share data knowledge with Finance Business Unit Function representatives.

Stay current with

• Stay current with new SAP developments / enhancements.

• Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in data management technologies.

Support

• Support cross-training of team members to increase overall effectiveness and versatility as required.

• Support data governance initiatives by enforcing data management policies and procedures.

• Support data migration and data conversion projects.

• Support implementation of Infor / M3 system (migration from current legacy systems).

• Support implementation of Winshuttle & LSMW (Legacy System Migration Workbench) data upload tools.

• Support Master Data Team and Asset Strategy team to improve Master Data processes.

• Support month end, quarter end and year end close processes for customer master maintenance.

• Support ongoing master data clean-up projects.

• Support planned and ad-hoc data analysis efforts and issue resolution for master data topics.

• Support site related analytics requirements and back up for SAP User Access Support.

• Support the management of BMO's data as a key asset that facilitates effective decision making.

• Support the resolution of data issues by coordinating stakeholders in the information chain.

• Support the Team Leader and Process Expert to continuously improve services and data integrity.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and work with stakeholders to provide value and solution-oriented results.

Understand

Understand and resolve client issues on material data, structure or processes.

Undertake

Undertake various master data projects as directed by the manager.

Update

Update data as required and in accordance with BURNCO's.

Use

• Use SAP tables for data extraction and data validation along with the business.

• Use this knowledge to suggest improvements in the current master data procedures.

Validate

Validate SSRS reports and liaise with Data Analysts for revisions.

Verify

Verify the existence of Floc, Equipment, Assemblies or Material Masters in SAP.

Walk

Walk the business on the validation requirements and follows-up on the agreed action points.

Work with

• Work closely with pricing and SC teams to ensure timely interaction and communication.

• Work closely with the SAP Process Technologist to ensure alignment and prioritization.

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders on continuance improvement opportunities.

• Work to ensure quality, compliance, and operational efficiency.

• Work to ensure Regulatory data formats & dictionaries stay current and compliant.

• Work with business units and process experts to resolve master data issues.

• Work with Excel, Word and Access to complete requests and meet business needs.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Master Data Analyst:

1. Proficiency in data analysis and data manipulation using SQL.

2. Advanced knowledge of Excel and other spreadsheet tools.

3. Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView.

4. Experience with data modeling and database management systems (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL).

5. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or R for data analysis and automation.

6. Understanding of data integration techniques and tools (e.g., ETL, API).

7. Familiarity with data quality management frameworks and techniques.

8. Experience with statistical analysis and predictive modeling techniques.

9. Knowledge of data warehousing concepts and best practices.

10. Proficiency in data mining and data cleansing techniques.

11. Understanding of data governance principles and practices.

12. Familiarity with data profiling and data auditing techniques.

13. Experience with data security and privacy regulations.

14. Knowledge of data migration and data conversion processes.

15. Understanding of master data management (MDM) concepts and tools.

16. Proficiency in data mapping and data transformation techniques.

17. Experience with data analytics platforms and tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics).

18. Knowledge of data visualization best practices and storytelling techniques.

19. Understanding of cloud computing platforms and technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

20. Familiarity with data-related APIs and web services.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Master Data Analyst:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

2. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

3. Effective communication and presentation skills.

4. Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

5. Strong organizational and time management skills.

6. Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies and tools.

7. Critical thinking and data-driven decision-making abilities.

8. Strong business acumen and understanding of industry trends.

9. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

10. Collaboration and teamwork skills.

Conclusion

Master Data Analysts play a vital role in ensuring data accuracy, quality, and integrity within organizations. By possessing a combination of technical expertise and soft skills, they are able to extract valuable insights from complex datasets and provide meaningful contributions to business strategies and decision-making processes. Whether it's analyzing data trends, implementing data governance policies, or collaborating with cross-functional teams, a Master Data Analyst's responsibilities and skills are essential for driving data-centric success in today's fast-paced business landscape.