Specialist Configuration Strategist

Job Category: IT/Software Development Career Level: Experienced (Non-Manager) Company: Hitachi Data Systems Specialist Configuration Strategist Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) is recognized as a leading provider of business solutions for the world's most IT-intensive corporations. The company offers the industry's fastest, largest and most reliable storage solutions designed for companies committed to non-stop operation and transition to Internet business reliance. Thirty-eight of the Fortune-50 companies in the United States are HDS customers. Hitachi has provided the backbone processing platforms for these enterprises and has led the world in high capacity and high bandwidth computing. HDS has been the recognized choice for mission critical applications in the F-1000 and Financial Times 100 enterprises. HDS was formed in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi LTD with global revenues of over $73 billion. Hitachi is one of the leading technology companies in the world with research and development investments of over 6 billion dollars annually. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, HDS is a global company with three thousand employees in forty countries and generates worldwide revenue of approximately $3 billion. The HDS professional services organization complements the product revenue with technical and business solutions. The company has a direct sales force and also supports a two-tiered indirect sales program. Storage products are offered to a growing list of OEM customers including Hewlett Packard and Silicon Graphics. HDS is one of a few natural players and enjoys a substantial technological advantage with its storage solutions. The organization is built around 6 independent business units, each with a P & L mission and IPO opportunity. Provides pre-sales configuration support within the Deal Operations Center for all HDS Account Managers. Maintains knowledge of HDS solutions and configuration requirements to satisfy customer needs. Works closely with field sales and other Deal Operations colleagues.Provides pre-sales configuration support within the Deal Operations Center for all HDS sales representatives. Maintains expert level knowledge of HDS solutions and configuration requirements (hdd type, cache size, etc.) to satisfy customer needs. Works closely with field sales and other Deal Operations Center personnel (Pricing Strategists, Finance) to achieve responsiveness and configuration accuracy SLAs. May assume role of the Configuration Strategist Manager during specific situations.Job Functions:1. Maintains expert level knowledge of HDS solutions, product components, and configuration requirements.2. Assists with the early adoption of new product technologies by including solution components within configurations whenever applicable.3. Communicates impact and performance characteristics of configuration to field sales.4. Works with field sales personnel to proactively identify issues, develop recommendations, and implement solutions to increase field sales productivity.5. Maintains inventory awareness and advises projected lead times to field sales.6. Maintains technical competence and awareness of market developments.7. Proactively communicates with field sales districts to uncover changing business needs, opportunities or issues of concern.8. Proactively communicates with other Configuration Strategists and Pricing Strategists to uncover changes in requirements and to distribute job related information.9. Advises Configuration Strategist Manager on specific resource requirements and personnel issues that affect ability to support field sales activity.10. Assumes role Configuration Strategist Manager in specific situations.11. Maintains a close working relationship with all Deal Operations Center personnel, Field Sales, and Finance colleagues. Primary Qualifications:1. Min of five (5) years experience directly related to IT systems and data storage issues.2. Must have strong background in supporting field sales personnel.3. Prior SE experience is preferred.4. Possesses a thorough knowledge of storage industry and customer requirements.5. Must have excellent understanding of HDS products and configuration requirements.6. Must have excellent understanding of HDS sales support tools (e.g. Matrix).7. Should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.8. A bachelor¿fs degree in Computer Science or related field is ardently preferred.9. Maintain a professional appearance and has strong leadership skills.Other:1. Works independently with minimum supervision or guidance from Configuration Strategist Manager.2. Inappropriate decisions or mistakes may have a significant impact on the company.3. Some travel for business purposes is required.