Automation and Batch Scheduling Analyst (Mainframe)

Automation and Batch Scheduling Analyst (Mainframe)

FGH Business Centre 66-70 Vicar Ln, Bradford BD1 5AJ

Hybrid flexibility: 2 office days per week

About The Role

The Mainframe Automation & Batch Scheduling Specialist is responsible for developing, maintaining, and supporting automation scripts and batch processing solutions in an IBM z/OS environment. The role focuses on REXX and CLIST scripting, workload scheduling using TWS/OPC, JCL management, and effective use of core IBM utilities to ensure reliable, efficient batch operations.

Automation & Scripting

• Develop, enhance, and maintain REXX scripts for system automation, operational controls, and data manipulation.
• Create and support CLIST programs to automate ISPF, TSO, and operational tasks.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing automation routines for performance and reliability.

Workload Scheduling

• Design, implement, and maintain batch schedules using TWS / OPC (Tivoli Workload Scheduler / Operations Planning and Control).
• Monitor scheduled jobs, resolve scheduling conflicts, and manage job dependencies.
• Participate in schedule migrations, upgrades, and production support activities.

Batch Processing

• Write, modify, and review JCL for batch jobs, ensuring adherence to standards and best practices.
• Diagnose and resolve JCL errors, abends, and performance issues.
• Support batch cycle execution including daily, weekly, and month-end processing.

Data & System Utilities

• Utilize IBM utilities such as IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, and IDCAMS for data set creation, copying, backup, recovery, and maintenance.
• Perform file management tasks including VSAM operations and dataset housekeeping.
• Ensure proper documentation and compliance with operational procedures.

Support & Collaboration

• Provide Level 2/3 production support for batch and scheduling-related incidents.
• Collaborate with application developers, operations teams, and infrastructure support.
• Participate in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

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

• Able to commute to Bradford City Centre minimum of 2 days per week
• Strong hands-on experience with REXX Scripting
• Proficiency in CLIST Programming
• Solid expertise in TWS / OPC scheduling
• In-depth knowledge of JCL
• Practical experience with IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, and IDCAMS
• Knowledge of CICS
• Familiarity with z/OS, TSO/ISPF environment
• Analytical thinking Able to diagnose complex data and performance 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

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:

• Competitive salaries and annual bonus scheme
• 37 days holiday including bank holidays
• Healthcare cash plan
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Paid paternity and maternity leave
• Incredible staff discounts
• Subsidised Canteen

Ready to apply?

If you’re excited about this opportunity and want to join FGH, click apply now to send us your application.