The Automation & Batch Scheduling Analyst will play a key role in designing, maintaining and supporting automated batch processes within an IBM z/OS environment. The role requires strong hands-on expertise in IBM Workload Scheduler for z/OS (IWS, formerly TWS/OPC), including applications, operations, dependencies, calendars, run cycles, special resources, JCL, job recovery and the management of critical production schedules. The individual will also use REXX, CLIST and core IBM utilities to improve automation, resolve operational issues and help ensure batch services run reliably and efficiently.

Workload Scheduling

Act as the subject-matter expert for IBM Workload Scheduler for z/OS (IWS, formerly TWS/OPC), taking ownership of the design, configuration and ongoing maintenance of complex, business-critical batch schedules.
Build and manage IWS applications, operations, dependencies, calendars, run cycles, special resources and workstation definitions, ensuring schedules are accurate, resilient and aligned with operational requirements.
Monitor critical production workloads, investigate failed, late or missing jobs, and lead timely recovery using IWS diagnostic information, JCL, SDSF output and job logs.
Analyse and optimise critical paths, dependencies and resource usage to improve batch performance, reduce operational risk and meet service-level and business processing deadlines.
Lead or support IWS upgrades, migrations, maintenance and disaster-recovery testing, ensuring changes are fully assessed, controlled, documented and successfully transitioned into production.
Define scheduling standards, maintain operational documentation and provide expert guidance to application, operations and infrastructure teams on IWS/TWS and mainframe batch scheduling.

Automation & Scripting

Develop, enhance and maintain REXX automation solutions.
Maintain and support existing automation tooling and scripting solutions.
Identify opportunities to improve operational processes through automation and standardisation.

Mainframe Operations & Support

Provide technical expertise across IBM z/OS production environments.
Diagnose and resolve scheduling, JCL and batch-processing incidents.
Support daily, weekly, month-end and year-end processing cycles.
Collaborate with application, infrastructure and operational support teams.

Ways of Working

Comfortable working in agile, waterfall, or hybrid delivery models.
Able to manage priorities across reactive support work and planned enhancements.
Values knowledge sharing, documentation, and collaborative problemsolving.

ABOUT YOU

Expert-level experience of IBM Workload Scheduler for z/OS (IWS/TWS/OPC).
Strong experience within IBM z/OS mainframe production environments.
Advanced JCL development, troubleshooting and batch recovery skills.
Practical experience using SDSF, JES2 and TSO/ISPF.
Proven experience supporting enterprise-scale batch processing environments.
Strong understanding of workload dependencies, critical path analysis and operational scheduling.
Strong hands-on experience with REXX scripting and automation.
Practical experience with IDCAMS, IEBGENER, IEBCOPY and VSAM datasets.
Experience investigating and resolving production incidents and conducting root cause analysis.
Ability to act as a technical Subject Matter Expert.
Analytical thinking Able to diagnose scheduling, batch-processing and production issues.
Attention to detail High standards for data accuracy and integrity.
Ownership & accountability Takes responsibility for systems and outcomes.
Collaboration Works effectively across engineering and business teams.
Continuous improvement mindset Actively seeks better ways to work and improve platforms
Able to commute to Bradford city centre, as required (2 days per week).

ABOUT US: FGH DIGITAL

For over 100 years, Freemans has been at the forefront of home shopping, delivering quality products and exceptional service. We’ve accepted the challenge to transform our business into a modern, digital-first retailer.

With a rich heritage and an eye on the future, we are a forward-thinking, tech-driven online retail business, making fabulous fashion and stylish homewares accessible and affordable for everyone.

Based in West Yorkshire and part of the OTTO group one of the world’s largest online retail organisations, Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) is the home of familiar brands such as Freemans, Grattan, Kaleidoscope, and Curvissa.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

FLEXIBILITY

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working options to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. Our full time head office colleagues work a minimum of 2 days per week in the office, allowing the perfect balance between collaborative in-person team work and the flexibility to work from home.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Turning your job into a career is a real passion for us and our development programmes will enable you to grow in role.

We offer clear career pathways that will show you the way, outlining the skills, behaviours and knowledge needed to perform at the next step.

We invest in our colleagues, giving them all the opportunity to progress. Our inspired leadership programme is aimed at equipping our future leaders to coach, develop, manage change and maintain situational awareness.

INCLUSIVITY

As a business, we depend on a fusion of identities, characteristics, backgrounds, and cultures to fully appreciate our people and our customers. Freemans has a long-standing commitment to ensuring fairness and balance.

Our company is an inclusive organisation where everybody can make the most of their talent and abilities. Our pay, reward, and progression approach is based solely on fairness and merit.

BENEFITS
We firmly believe that we should reward our brilliant people with extensive benefits to help them stay healthy, relax and re-energise, have fun, manage the day-to-day and plan for the future. Here are just some of our great benefits: