Senior Subject Matter Expert

Role Overview: The Senior Subject Matter Expert (Senior SME) is an experienced individual contributor within PARts' data operations function, responsible for handling complex, sensitive, and high-stakes catalogue data work that requires elevated access to customer data and privileged system permissions. The role builds on the full scope of the Subject Matter Expert position, with additional accountability for work that demands deeper technical judgement, trusted access to customer environments, and a higher degree of autonomy in execution. In simpler terms, this is the role that handles the work that requires the most trust — direct access to customer data, elevated system privileges, and the judgement to use both responsibly. Key accountabilities: 3.1 Catalogue data processing • Execute the full range of catalogue data tasks across all supported standards, including TecAlliance/TecDoc, ACES/PIES, and proprietary formats — data entry, transformation, validation, correction, xType mappings, and cross-standard data accuracy. • Handle the most complex and ambiguous data tasks, including non-standard formats, edge cases, and data that requires cross-referencing across multiple sources to resolve. 3.2 Trusted customer data access • Operate with elevated access to customer data and systems beyond the standard SME role, including customer-specific datasets, environments, or tools where heightened sensitivity, confidentiality, or accuracy requirements apply. • Exercise this access responsibly, in accordance with PARts' data governance policies and customer agreements. • Maintain the trust that underpins these elevated privileges. 3.3 Customer Data Requests (CDR) • Lead the execution of complex Customer Data Requests, including SQL-based bulk updates, multi-step data transformations, and quality assurance of CDR outputs. • Handle CDRs that carry higher risk or complexity — large-scale data changes, sensitive customer records, or tight delivery windows. • Ensure data integrity through prescribed scripts, validation steps, and pre-delivery quality checks. 3.4 Elevated system privileges • Operate with elevated privileges within PARts' internal systems and tools (e.g. DPM, Bulk Importer, production databases), including functions, environments, and datasets restricted for the standard SME role. • Use these privileges in accordance with documented procedures, maintaining audit trails where required. • Escalate any access anomalies or concerns to the SME Team Lead or Data Operations Manager. 3.5 Quality assurance and peer review • Act as a primary peer reviewer within the SME team, reviewing the accuracy and completeness of data outputs produced by other SMEs before handover. • Identify recurring error patterns, provide constructive feedback to peers, and contribute to the improvement of quality assurance processes. • Maintain the highest standard of accuracy in own work and model best practice for the broader team. 3.6 PARts Help Desk (PHD) support • Triage and respond to customer data queries and escalations via the PARts Help Desk in Jira Service Management (JSM), including Level 1 support requests such as brand creation requests, data supplier feedback, data standard feedback, 99x management, and Console support queries. • Handle escalated or complex tickets that require deeper investigation, elevated system access, or direct interaction with customer data. • Escalate further to the SME Team Lead or Data Operations Manager as needed. 3.7 Mentoring and knowledge sharing • Support the development of less experienced SMEs through informal mentoring, on-the-job coaching, and knowledge sharing — without holding formal supervisory or coordination responsibilities. • Contribute to onboarding new team members and assist with training on complex workflows, helping build capability across the team. 3.8 Documentation and knowledge capture • Follow and update runbooks, process guides, and training materials as workflows evolve. • Proactively capture knowledge from complex and edge-case scenarios encountered in day-to-day work, so processes remain transferable and the team's institutional knowledge grows. Skills and competencies: 4.1 Technical • Strong proficiency in SQL for data querying, manipulation, and bulk update operations, including complex queries and production-level data changes. • Demonstrated experience working with structured data across multiple standards or formats (e.g. TecDoc, ACES/PIES, or similar automotive or industrial data standards). • Proven experience in peer review, quality assurance, and data validation workflows, including identifying error patterns and driving corrective actions. • Experience with help desk or service management tools (e.g. Jira Service Management) for triaging and resolving data-related queries, including escalated or complex tickets. 4.2 Trust and behavioural • Demonstrated ability to work with elevated system access or privileged environments responsibly, including familiarity with data governance, access controls, and audit requirements. • Sound judgement in handling sensitive or high-risk data work, with disciplined escalation when needed. • Experience mentoring, coaching, or supporting the development of less experienced team members in a data operations environment. • Clear written and verbal communication, including complete ticket documentation and knowledge capture. Qualifications and experience: • Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a data operations, data management, or catalogue data processing role, with a track record of handling complex or sensitive data work. • Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or equivalent tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related technical field), or equivalent qualifications or demonstrated technical competency through alternative pathways. • Desirable: experience in the automotive aftermarket parts industry or a related data-intensive domain; familiarity with PARts tools and platforms (e.g. DPM, Bulk Importer) or equivalent data processing tools; working knowledge of data governance principles, access management, and documentation practices; prior experience in an offshore or distributed team environment; exposure to process improvement methodologies within an operational team setting.