IT Business Analyst

About The Company

Rural King is America's Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 150 locations across 17 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, Illinois, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

How we reward you

• 401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%
• Healthcare plans to support your needs
• Virtual doctor visits
• Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic's Complex Care Program
• 15% Associate Discount
• Dave Ramsey's SmartDollar Program
• Associate Assistance Program
• RK Cares Associate Hardship Program
• 24/7 Chaplaincy Services
• Company paid YMCA Family Membership

About The Role

The Business Analyst at Rural King plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between business stakeholders and technical teams. This position involves understanding complex business needs, translating them into clear requirements, and supporting the successful implementation of technology solutions that enhance our retail and digital operations. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects across various systems such as eCommerce, order management, middleware, and enterprise applications.

This role requires strong communication, analytical skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The Business Analyst will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Project Managers, and technical staff, to ensure that project goals align with strategic objectives and deliver value to the organization.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience as a Business Analyst within IT, retail, or eCommerce sectors.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, Agile methodologies, and project delivery frameworks.
• Experience working with requirements management tools such as Jira and Confluence.
• Ability to translate complex business needs into detailed technical and functional documentation.
• Familiarity with enterprise retail systems, including eCommerce platforms, Order Management, Middleware, ERP, or CRM systems.
• Proven experience collaborating with Product Owners and technical teams in an Agile environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills to effectively bridge business and technical perspectives.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to resolve conflicts effectively and address challenges proactively.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

As a Business Analyst, you will serve as a vital link between business stakeholders and technical teams, helping to define, document, and deliver technology solutions that support Rural King's retail and digital operations. Your primary focus will be on understanding business requirements, translating them into functional and technical specifications, and supporting the implementation of systems and enhancements that drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Include

• Partnering with business stakeholders and Product Owners to gather, analyze, and document business requirements for various IT initiatives.
• Translating business needs into clear, actionable functional specifications and collaborating with technical teams to ensure accurate implementation.
• Supporting multiple concurrent projects across retail, eCommerce, and enterprise systems, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards.
• Participating in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and retrospectives, to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Creating user stories, acceptance criteria, and test plans to ensure comprehensive testing and validation of deliverables.
• Facilitating cross-functional workshops to align teams on project goals, requirements, and process improvements.
• Supporting testing phases through test case development, execution, and defect tracking to ensure system quality.
• Developing and maintaining detailed documentation such as business process maps, data flow diagrams, and user guides.
• Collaborating with Project Managers and Product Owners to keep projects aligned with strategic objectives and deadlines.
• Identifying opportunities for process optimization, automation, and improved user experiences across systems.
• Using discretion and independent judgment in daily decision-making while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Participating in ongoing learning initiatives, including training programs, workshops, and webinars, to stay current with industry trends and technologies.
• Providing professional and proactive support to internal and external stakeholders, resolving inquiries and issues efficiently.
• Demonstrating the core values of Rural King, including People First, Integrity, Attitude, Initiative, Teamwork, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement.
• Performing additional duties as assigned to support organizational goals.