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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a NetSuite Administrator

💰 $90,000 - $145,000

ITERPSystems AdministrationFinance TechnologyBusiness Systems

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the NetSuite Administrator is the central guardian and primary technical owner of an organization's NetSuite ERP platform. This individual serves as the go-to expert for all things NetSuite, responsible for managing, configuring, and optimizing the system to meet evolving business needs. They ensure the platform's health, performance, and security, acting as a critical bridge between business stakeholders and the technical capabilities of the ERP. The role involves a blend of daily system support, strategic customization, process automation, and user enablement to maximize the company's investment in the NetSuite ecosystem.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Business Analyst (with a systems focus)
  • Accountant / Senior Accountant (Power User)
  • IT Support Specialist or Systems Analyst
  • Junior NetSuite Consultant

Advancement To:

  • Senior NetSuite Administrator / Principal NetSuite Administrator
  • NetSuite Developer
  • ERP Manager or Director of Business Systems
  • Solutions Architect (ERP/Finance Systems)

Lateral Moves:

  • Salesforce Administrator (or other major SaaS platform admin)
  • Business Systems Analyst
  • IT Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Serve as the first point of contact for all NetSuite-related user support, troubleshooting system issues, and driving resolutions from identification to completion.
  • Manage the daily administration of the NetSuite application, including the setup of new users, modification of roles, and assignment of appropriate permissions and access levels.
  • Design, build, and maintain customized Saved Searches, reports, and dashboards to provide actionable business intelligence to stakeholders across finance, sales, and operations.
  • Develop, test, and meticulously deploy system customizations, including custom fields, forms, records, lists, and advanced PDF/HTML templates.
  • Architect and implement robust workflows using SuiteFlow to automate and streamline critical business processes such as approvals, notifications, and data validation rules.
  • Oversee and execute data migration and management tasks, ensuring data integrity through the use of CSV imports, mass updates, and diligent data cleansing practices.
  • Act as the primary liaison with NetSuite Support and third-party application vendors to troubleshoot and resolve complex system bugs and integration failures.
  • Develop and deliver comprehensive end-user training sessions and create clear, accessible documentation for new system functionalities and standard operating procedures.
  • Manage the configuration and ongoing maintenance of core NetSuite modules, such as General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Inventory Management, and Order Management.
  • Lead the biannual NetSuite release preview process by thoroughly testing new features in the sandbox environment and preparing the organization for a smooth upgrade.
  • Collaborate closely with functional leaders and department heads to gather and analyze business requirements, translating them into scalable and effective system solutions.
  • Proactively monitor system performance, logs, and scheduled jobs to identify potential issues and ensure the overall health and stability of the NetSuite instance.
  • Administer, maintain, and troubleshoot third-party integrations and SuiteApps, ensuring seamless data flow between NetSuite and other critical business applications (e.g., Salesforce, Celigo, Avalara).
  • Maintain the integrity of the system architecture and data models, ensuring they remain scalable and aligned with the company's long-term strategic objectives.
  • Develop and maintain foundational custom scripts using SuiteScript (1.0/2.x) to address business needs that cannot be met with native NetSuite functionality.
  • Define and document technical specifications for system changes, customizations, and integrations to ensure clarity and maintain a historical record of system evolution.
  • Enforce data governance policies and procedures within NetSuite to ensure compliance and maintain high standards of data quality across the organization.
  • Support the integration of acquired companies' business processes into the existing NetSuite environment, including data mapping and migration efforts.
  • Manage sandbox environments, including scheduling and executing refreshes, and overseeing all development and testing activities within them.
  • Assist with IT and SOX compliance initiatives by providing necessary audit reports, documenting system configurations, and ensuring security protocols are followed.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to assist leadership in strategic decision-making.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and technology roadmap by providing expert insights on ERP capabilities.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate high-level data needs and process improvement ideas into formal engineering and development requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies as part of the wider technology or business systems team.
  • Evaluate and recommend new SuiteApps and third-party solutions that could enhance business operations and drive efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep proficiency in NetSuite ERP administration, including advanced configuration of system settings and company preferences.
  • Strong, demonstrable experience creating complex Saved Searches, custom reports, financial report layouts, dashboards, and KPIs for various business functions.
  • Hands-on expertise in designing, building, and maintaining multi-stage workflows using SuiteFlow to automate key business processes.
  • High proficiency in data management and migration tools, including CSV imports, mass updates, and data quality management techniques.
  • Foundational knowledge of SuiteScript (JavaScript-based API) for reading, modifying, and creating custom scripts to extend platform functionality.
  • Practical experience with SuiteBuilder for customizing forms, fields, records, and transaction layouts to fit specific business requirements.
  • A solid understanding of core business processes, particularly Order-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay, and Record-to-Report cycles.
  • Experience managing and troubleshooting integrations between NetSuite and other enterprise systems, whether through middleware (like Celigo or Boomi) or custom APIs.
  • Knowledge of user role and permission management to ensure a secure and properly segmented user access model.
  • Familiarity with NetSuite's SuiteCloud Development Framework (SDF) for managing customizations and deployments is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a meticulous attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
  • Strong project management and organizational abilities, with a knack for prioritizing tasks and managing stakeholder expectations.
  • A proactive, service-oriented mindset with a dedication to enabling user success and driving process improvements.
  • Ability to work both independently on complex tasks and collaboratively within a cross-functional team environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent practical work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or Business.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Management Information Systems (MIS)
  • Computer Science
  • Business Administration
  • Accounting / Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5+ years of dedicated, hands-on experience in a NetSuite Administrator or similar role.

Preferred: NetSuite Certified Administrator or NetSuite Certified ERP Consultant credentials are highly regarded and often preferred by employers.

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