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Job Description
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 minimize 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.
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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.
About Us
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 online from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
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About The Team
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap*, and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
- Company performance-based bonus.
- Sharesave scheme.
- On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas.
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty.
- Early VIP access to sale stock.
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops.
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices.
- Access to a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services.
- Free on-site parking.
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track, and enhance your financial wellbeing.
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification.
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store.
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other.
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions, and more.
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
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