Specialist - Item Master Data

The Item Master Data Specialist is a critical role within the Data Governance framework, primarily responsible for maintaining the quality, integrity, and compliance of core item attributes within Oracle Fusion ERP and enterprise Master Data repositories. Acting as the initial gatekeeper for new item requests (NIR) and change orders managed through workflows, this role enforces data governance policies, maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs), and applies continuous improvement methodologies to optimize data lifecycle processes. This individual works collaboratively across cross-functional business stakeholders to complete, enrich, and validate core data records. Essential Functions • Data Governance & Item Master Management (Oracle Fusion) • Act as the primary gatekeeper for item attribution, template mapping, and batch imports in Oracle Fusion. • Enforce data governance policies, maintain enterprise data dictionaries, and ensure strict compliance across item categories. • Workflow Management & Service Delivery • Manage end-to-end data intake, tracking, and resolution of New Item Requests (NIR) and attribute change orders. • Monitor request queues to meet established Service Level Agreements (SLAs) while ensuring data accuracy before releasing records to downstream systems. • Continuous Improvement & SOP Maintenance (Kaizen) • Lead root-cause analyses to resolve recurring data quality defects and operational bottlenecks. • Author, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), testing scripts, and data maintenance matrices to reflect updated governance policies. • Data Analysis, Profiling & Quality Reporting • Perform regular data reviews and data hygiene audits to detect and refine duplicate records, missing attributes, and compliance anomalies. • Develop data quality dashboards and key performance indicator (KPI) reports to measure data health and process throughput. • Cross-Functional Stakeholder Collaboration • Facilitate alignment between business end-users, plant accounting, quality control, and technical teams to clarify complex data requirements and resolve workflow handoffs. • Train and support business users on NIR submission rules, SOP standards, and data request workflows. Critical Competencies • Process Workflow: Experience working within defined request/change management systems (e.g., ticketing systems, workflow management platforms). • Cross-Domain & SOX Controls Expertise: In-depth understanding of how master data attributes flow horizontally across systems, with a focus on audit trails and access security controls around financial/costing catalogs. • Search Usability & AI Innovation: Ability to leverage modern AI tools to solve data cleansing backlogs and structure item taxonomies for optimal searchability in ERP environments. • Influence & Change Leadership: Capability to guide cross-functional teams, foster a quality-first organizational mindset, and drive change without relying solely on direct hierarchical authority.