Job Opportunities
SPINS, Inc. is the leading provider of industry reporting and consulting services to the rapidly growing natural products industry. We offer a range of retail sales tracking and consumer information services used by current participants in the natural and organic products industry as well as companies seeking new opportunities in this expanding market. SPINS is committed to supporting the growing movement toward healthy and natural alternatives by providing the reliable marketing information needed to make sound business decisions.
Currently, SPINS is hiring for the following positions:
Software Developer
WebFocus Developer
Manager of Business Analytics
Natural Products Associate
Consulting & Analytics Coordinator
SPINS is always looking for talented, passionate people to join our team. Please check back often for new openings and opportunities, or send your resume with a brief cover letter for our files to jobs3@spins.com.
Software Developer
SPINS is seeking seeing a Software Developer in our Schaumburg, IL office. The Software Developer is a contributor on a team responsible for the analysis, design and development of applications that enter, integrate, store, and retrieve information for data analysis and reporting. The software developed will include internal use and customer facing applications.
Position Description
- Analyzes requirements, designs systems, and develops applications that satisfy functional and non-functional requirements.
- Develops user interfaces for data entry and end user retrieval of information.
- Produces and enhances applications that utilize Stored Procedures for Extract, Transformation and Load (ETL) of relational data warehouses and data marts.
- Conducts problem diagnosis and resolution to correct production and data quality problems.
- Works closely with the database and system administrators in database design, sizing, SQL reviews and related issues to insure production implementation of quality databases.
- Coordinates and supports migration of applications to software and hardware versions and platforms.
- Uses and continuously improves a software development methodology that is consistent with industry best practices.
Requirements/Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Management Information Systems and experience (typically 2-4 years) in application software development. An equivalent combination of education and related experience may also serve to meet these minimum requirements.
- Web application experience with Tomcat, Java, JavaScript, Ajax and Adobe Flex.
- Linux operating system and scripting experience with Perl, and shell scripting.
- Must have SQL/PL experience and 2+ years of experience with large scale databases with solid SQL query design, coding, and optimization .
- Experience with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access using Visual Basic for Applications.
WebFocus Developer
We are seeking seeking a WebFocus Developer in our Schaumburg, IL office. The WebFocus Developer is a contributor on a team responsible for the analysis, design and development of standard reports, and Business Intelligence applications delivered through the WebFocus portal. Portal output formats are html, ahtml and Microsoft Excel. Excel is the dominant output report format.
Position Description
- Analyzes requirements, designs systems, and develops WebFocus Reports and Applications that satisfy functional and non-functional requirements.
- Ensures architectural and design decisions maximize and leverage the use of WebFocus capabilities.
- Ensures availability, information security and integrity of WebFocus infrastructure and reports.
- Assists in resolving WebFocus performance, capacity and maintenance issues.
- Coordinates and supports migration of applications to new software and hardware versions and platforms.
- Uses and continuously improves a software development methodology that is consistent with industry best practices.
Requirements/Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Management Information Systems, and experience (typically 2-4 years) with WebFocus. An equivalent combination of education and related experience may also serve to meet these minimum requirements.
- 2 +years as Developer, or Architect using Information Builders WebFocus platform.
- Experience with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications
- Html and Javascript required for user parameter prompting
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of computer programming, systems design and documentation standards.
- Knowledge of DB2 SQL/SPL or other DBMS with exposure to OLAP window functions is preferred.
- Other Web Development languages and mobile application development expertise are an advantage.
Manager of Business Analytics
We are seeking a Manager, Business Analytics in our Schaumburg, IL office. This position requires exceptional interpersonal skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, an analytical and technical aptitude and a willingness to help build and shape the development of SPINS, Inc. products, services and client relationships:
Position Description
- Service client specific business needs by analyzing multiple proprietary data sources.
- Manage the delivery of custom reports to our client base by accessing sales and consumer databases via Excel, Access and proprietary analytical software
- Verify accuracy of reports and explain/analyze the content contained within them
- Enhance relationships by providing a high level of consultative support
- Keep abreast of natural product trends and events
- Assist the sales team and business consultants with client initiatives
- Train clients on SPINS tools and measures
- Professionally address client questions regarding data measures, products and services involving subject matter experts as required
- Effectively represent client needs through interfacing with the IT & Operations department
Requirements/Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business Administration or an equivalent combination of education and related experience may also serve to meet the minimum requirements. Market research, consumer products or consulting experience a plus.
- Advanced user level in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Experience managing data, interpreting data, and reporting data across platforms
- Broad knowledge of strategic analysis, business principles and consumer behavior
- Excellent problem solving skills, market research ability
- Must be able to think critically and communicate effectively with a wide range of users
- Strong writing and presentation skills
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to scope and estimate client requirements and convert them into meaningful reports that can be updated efficiently
- Prior experience working with data access/reporting tools
- Acquiring and auditing product information on natural products utilizing manufacturers, SPINS partners, the Internet, etc
- Researching and retrieving information on brands and specific products
- Contacting manufacturers for additional information when needed
- Researching attributes of products (such as whether or not a product is organic, fair-trade certified, etc)
- Maintaining/updating all product information in our database (Microsoft Access)
- Custom coding work outside our standard coding framework, assigned from the Director, often involving researching full ranges of products such as Frozen Desserts (2,000 + UPCs) for a new attribute, etc.
- Making necessary enhancements/changes and communicating any and all status to the Content Team and in some cases the SPINS Sales Team and Clients directly
- Participation in occasional natural products store tours (reviewing merchandising, new product launches, etc)
- Contributions to new Content initiatives that draw on your industry expertise and further SPINS’ ability to capture emerging trends in our Industry Standard hierarchy
- Participation/commentary for reports produced by SPINS Client Services team. These reports range from Business Overviews to Strategic Expansion, and the Content team contributions are often in fact checking, directional support (competing brands and manufacturer background), etc
- Reporting to and providing regular status reports on assigned tasks/projects and other issues relevant to your responsibilities to the Director of Content Services
- Full-time employment Monday through Friday in our Schaumburg, IL office (Chicago-area)
- High level of proficiency and comfort with natural and organic companies and products
- High degree of proficiency in using Windows and Microsoft Professional Office tool set (Internet Explorer, Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access is a big plus)
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, meeting specified deadlines and team standards
- Maintain list of report deliveries due to clients by period
- Coordinate and communicate assignments of report deliveries within the department
- Track report delivery for the department for billing purposes
- Accumulate and summarize weekly time/billing sheets and send reminders to those who have not submitted such. Modify time/billing template to reflect additions/changes to menu choices
- Promptly determine and communicate billable work to finance for revenue recognition. Address questionable submissions, enlisting help from others as needed
- Send monthly letters to client informing them of the time charged to date and available time remaining on their contract
- Maintain lists of client contacts by service
- Distribute communication of service changes to impacted clients
- Provide phone support for client inquires and reported problems and assign issues to appropriate resources
- Support team members in free time by assisting with stretch opportunity assignments
- Proficient user level in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Familiar with other computer applications used in general office settings, including database management and Internet search engines
- Ability to quickly learn and successfully apply internal software tools
- Excellent multi-tasking skills while maintaining a relentless attention to detail
- Must be able to think critically and communicate effectively in both verbal and written form
- Ability to work independently, while being proactive within established goals
Natural Products Associate
We are currently seeking a Natural Products Associate to join our Content Services Group at our Schaumburg, IL offices. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in the Natural Products Industry (e.g.; health food stores, distributors, manufacturers, and other industry groups), a broad and deep knowledge of brands and products that drive the industry, a passion for health and wellness, and a desire to work in an exciting start-up type of work environment.
Position Description
Researching of product information:
Updating and maintaining our product ‘library’ (database):
Ad-hoc Projects:
Additional tasks:
Requirements/Qualifications
Consulting & Analytics Coordinator
We are currently seeking a Consulting & Analytics Coordinator in our Schaumburg, IL office. This position requires strong interpersonal skills, flexibility and an analytical and technical aptitude that will ensure accurate implementation of business requirements that the team must fulfill.
Job Responsibilities
Requirements/Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business Administration or an equivalent combination of education and related experience may also serve to meet the minimum requirements.
How to Apply
Send resume with e-mail cover letter of 200 words or less to jobs3@spins.com.
No calls please.
SPINS Employment Policy
SPINS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, mental and physical disabilities, or medical conditions of an applicant. No application will be rejected as a result of a disability that, with reasonable accommodation, does not prevent performance of the essential job duties.