IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer in Bury

JD Sports is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms with our colleagues working in stores across several retail fascias in many markets around the world. Established in 1981, JD Group has grown into a global leader in the industry.

We are looking for a high-calibre IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer to join our Global Finance Systems team during a period of significant transformation. Initially, you will be the technical lead for the global rollout of our flagship forecasting tool, ensuring a seamless deployment and providing expert long-term support and system evolution.

This role is designed for a forward-thinking developer who wants to move beyond a single technology and become a comprehensive EPM Architect, bridging the gap between IBM’s powerful modelling capabilities and Oracle’s robust statutory reporting solutions.

• Be the technical lead for the rollout of our global forecasting tool, building the financial planning forecasting tool that provides bottom-up financial modelling of all the elements that drive our primary financial statements.
• Partner with finance and business stakeholders to design, build and implement a robust driver-based forecasting model within IBM Planning Analytics (TM1).
• Develop and maintain cubes, dimensions, hierarchies and rules to support scalable and auditable forecasting.
• Support testing, validation and reconciliation of forecast outputs during the project.
• Design user-friendly Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) dashboards, input templates and reports to support planner adoption.
• Ensure integration of the forecasting tool with source systems where applicable and downstream reporting outputs.
• Support forecast governance, including security, control checks, auditability and documentation.
• Provide knowledge transfer, documentation and user support to ensure sustainable ownership post-implementation.
• Identify opportunities to enhance forecasting accuracy, automation and usability through continuous improvement.

• Expert proficiency in writing and troubleshooting TurboIntegrator (TI) processes and complex Rules/Feeders.
• Hands-on experience building user-centric dashboards in Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) and reports in Planning Analytics for Excel (PAfE).
• Strong ability to write MDX for dynamic subsets and PAW-based reporting.
• Ability to design 'Best Practice' dimensionality and multi-cube data flows.
• Proven track record of optimizing model performance.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge the gap between technical system constraints and senior Finance leadership requirements.
• The ability to translate complex business logic into lean, high-performance technical code.
• A solid grasp of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and actuals reconciliation.
• A strong desire and aptitude to cross-train into the Oracle EPM Suite.
• Experience supporting or leading global software deployments, including managing UAT, user training, and post-go-live stabilization.
• Prior experience in a Retail environment is highly advantageous.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a workplace where every colleague is valued, respected, and empowered. We celebrate the diversity of our teams and strive to ensure that all colleagues can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

As a part of our successful and continually evolving company, you’ll be encouraged to embrace and uphold our strategic priorities: putting people first, at the forefront of digital innovation, staying deeply attuned to our customers, and pursuing operational excellence.

We offer amazing benefits including staff discounts, discounted gym membership, personal development opportunities, and access to apprenticeships and accredited qualifications.