Hook Norton
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Β£ 40,000 per annum
Hours: 38.5 per week
Our head offices based in the beautiful village of Hook Norton near Banbury. Here you will find our teams of finance, HR, purchasing, marketing & creative that support all of our locations across the Thomas Franks family. There is ample parking space available when visiting.
We are seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Business Analyst β Systems & Process Improvement to support the Thomas Franks systems and process improvement roadmap and wider business transformation activity. The role will turn business discussions, operational pain points and system requirements into clear process maps, data standards, system recommendations and practical delivery plans. Working closely with operational, culinary, finance, HR, procurement, ESG and technology teams, the postholder will help simplify processes, improve system adoption, strengthen data governance and identify opportunities to reduce manual work, duplication and reporting inconsistency.
Key Responsibilities
Business Analysis & Process Improvement
- Map and document current-state processes across key business areas, including SIPOCs, end-to-end process flows, inputs, outputs, controls, handoffs and system touchpoints.
- Identify inefficiencies, duplication, manual workarounds, unclear ownership, control gaps and process bottlenecks.
- Design future-state processes aligned with operational requirements, digital capability, compliance needs and agreed business outcomes.
- Support process standardisation across regions, functions and business units where appropriate.
- Facilitate stakeholder workshops to capture requirements, test assumptions, challenge current ways of working and build consensus.
- Produce concise business cases and recommendations that convert analysis into actionable systems and process improvement priorities.
Systems Review & Optimisation
- Conduct detailed reviews of existing systems and software platforms, including FoodOp, Indicater, Workday, Business Central, Yooz, Power BI, Microsoft 365 and other operational tools.
- Assess system capability, adoption, integration, ownership, data flows, user experience and operational reliance.
- Identify duplication, underused functionality, integration gaps and opportunities to simplify the application landscape.
- Support software selection, procurement, implementation, and optimisation activities by defining practical business requirements.
- Evaluate opportunities for automation using Microsoft 365, Power Platform, AI-enabled tools and workflow solutions.
- Work with IT and software partners to improve system performance, reporting reliability, integration architecture and supportability.
Data Integrity & Governance
- Assess data quality, completeness, consistency, accuracy and auditability across key systems.
- Identify master data requirements, data ownership models, business definitions and accountability gaps.
- Create data quality monitoring and remediation processes that can be embedded into day-to-day operations.
- Support regulatory, compliance and operational requirements relating to data management, reporting and retention.
- Establish and maintain data dictionaries, reporting definitions and ownership frameworks to improve confidence in business information.
Analytics & Business Intelligence
- Review current reporting, KPI and management information frameworks.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational, financial, ESG, culinary, procurement and client reporting.
- Analyse trends, performance data and operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support the development of a modern analytics and reporting capability.
Project Delivery
- Support the Business Services Director in delivery of the wider systems and process improvement roadmap.
- Maintain clear requirements documentation, user stories, process maps, functional specifications, decision logs and action trackers.
- Track benefits realisation, post-implementation outcomes and lessons learned to ensure improvement activity delivers measurable value.
KEY DELIVERABLES
- Current-state and future-state process maps, including SIPOCs, control points, risks, handoffs and system touchpoints.
- Systems capability assessments, rationalisation recommendations and improvement roadmaps.
- Data quality, integrity and ownership assessments.
- Business requirements, functional specifications, decision papers and business cases.
- KPI frameworks, dashboards and management reporting packs that improve business decision-making.
- Benefits realisation reports, adoption plans and implementation recommendations.
Essential
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Experience as a Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Digital Transformation Analyst or similar role.
- Strong process mapping and business process improvement capability.
- Experience reviewing business systems and software applications.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and documentation skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and workshop facilitation skills.
- Ability to translate complex business requirements into practical solutions.
- Experience working with multiple data sources, business systems and reporting outputs.
Desirable
- Experience within contract catering, hospitality, retail, foodservice or multi-site operations.
- Knowledge of ERP, finance, HR, ESG, HSE, procurement or operational systems.
- Experience with Microsoft Power Platform, automation or workflow tools.
- Knowledge of data governance, master data management and data quality controls.
- Experience supporting software implementation or systems optimisation projects.
- Understanding of AI, automation and digital workplace technologies.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Curious and naturally investigative.
- Passionate about using data to improve performance.
- Commercially aware and outcome-focused.
- Comfortable challenging established ways of working constructively.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Collaborative and able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Self-motivated and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Aligned with the Thomas Franks values.
Benefits
- Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
- Free meals on duty
- Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Recommend a friend bonus.
- Unrivalled individual training and development.
- Well established apprenticeship programme.
- Team & company social events.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Workplace pension.
- Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.
About Us
Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.
Disclaimer
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.
An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.
Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks
We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.
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Business Data Analyst - Systems & Process Improvement in Hook Norton employer: Thomas Franks Ltd
Thomas Franks is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and passion for food are at the forefront. Located in Maidenhead, this independent day school catering service provides excellent employee benefits, including free meals on duty, unrivalled training opportunities, and a commitment to career progression within a supportive environment. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values diversity and fosters personal growth while serving our wonderful customers.