Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Upload Analyst

💰 $55,000 - $75,000

Data AnalysisData ManagementInformation TechnologyOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Upload Analyst is a critical linchpin in our data ecosystem, serving as the guardian of data integrity during the crucial transition from source to system. This role is fundamentally about ensuring that all data loaded into our core platforms is accurate, complete, and correctly formatted. An Upload Analyst meticulously manages the end-to-end data ingestion process, from initial receipt and validation to successful upload and post-load verification. They are the subject matter experts for specific data streams, troubleshooting errors, identifying root causes for failures, and collaborating with both technical and business teams to refine and improve data submission and processing workflows. This position is perfect for a detail-oriented individual who thrives on precision, enjoys problem-solving, and understands that high-quality data is the foundation of sound business decisions and a seamless customer experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Data Entry Specialist or Coordinator
  • Junior Data Analyst or Reporting Analyst
  • Recent graduate with a degree in Information Systems, Business, or a related quantitative field.

Advancement To:

  • Senior Upload Analyst or Data Quality Lead
  • Data Quality Analyst or Data Steward
  • Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst or Developer

Lateral Moves:

  • Business Systems Analyst
  • ETL Developer
  • QA Analyst (Data Focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously manage the end-to-end process of loading, processing, and validating client or internal data files into proprietary and third-party systems.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all incoming data files, ensuring timely and accurate ingestion according to service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Conduct thorough pre-upload data validation checks, utilizing tools like Excel, SQL, and internal scripts to identify inconsistencies, formatting errors, and missing information.
  • Investigate, diagnose, and resolve data upload failures, rejections, and discrepancies by analyzing error logs and system notifications.
  • Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external clients to report on upload status, explain data errors, and provide clear instructions for file correction and resubmission.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of data requirements, file specifications, and business rules associated with various data feeds.
  • Execute post-upload reconciliation procedures to verify that data has been loaded completely and accurately into the target database or application.
  • Maintain detailed documentation of all upload activities, including processing schedules, error logs, resolution steps, and client communications.
  • Create, update, and manage standard operating procedures (SOPs) and knowledge base articles related to data formatting, submission protocols, and error handling.
  • Monitor automated data ingestion pipelines, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues before they impact business operations.
  • Perform root cause analysis on recurring data quality issues to recommend and help implement preventative measures and process improvements.
  • Collaborate with IT and development teams to test new system enhancements, data parsers, and validation rules that impact the data upload process.
  • Manage user permissions and configurations within data upload portals or platforms to ensure proper access and security.
  • Generate and distribute regular reports on data processing volumes, error rates, and turnaround times to management and business stakeholders.
  • Prioritize and manage a high volume of data submission tasks and inquiries from multiple sources in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to assist business teams with specific inquiries.
  • Contribute to the organization's data governance initiatives by helping to define and enforce data quality standards.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their data needs into technical requirements for the data engineering or development teams.
  • Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other agile ceremonies as part of a broader data or operations team.
  • Assist in training new team members or business users on data submission best practices and the use of upload tools.
  • Evaluate and recommend new tools or software that could improve the efficiency and accuracy of the data upload workflow.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, pivot tables, index/match, conditional formatting, and complex formulas for data manipulation and validation.
  • SQL (Structured Query Language): Proficiency in writing basic to intermediate SQL queries to select, join, and filter data for analysis and reconciliation purposes.
  • Data Reconciliation: Proven ability to compare large datasets from different sources and accurately identify and investigate discrepancies.
  • ETL Process Understanding: Familiarity with the concepts of Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) and how data moves between systems.
  • Data Quality Tools: Experience with data quality or data management platforms is a significant asset.
  • File Format Expertise: Comfortable working with various file formats such as CSV, TXT, XML, and JSON.
  • Ticketing Systems: Experience using systems like Jira, ServiceNow, or Zendesk for tracking issues and requests.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and precise approach to handling data, with an ability to spot errors that others might miss.
  • Problem-Solving & Analytical Mindset: The capacity to logically dissect a problem, analyze error logs, and determine the root cause of a technical or data-related issue.
  • Clear & Concise Communication: Ability to explain complex technical issues and data requirements to non-technical audiences both verbally and in writing.
  • Time Management & Organization: Skilled at juggling multiple tasks, prioritizing urgent requests, and meeting strict deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Resilience & Patience: The ability to remain calm and methodical when dealing with frustrating data errors, system issues, or tight timelines.
  • Customer Service Orientation: A helpful and collaborative attitude when interacting with internal or external clients to resolve their data submission issues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a quantitative or technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Information Systems
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Science
  • Finance or Economics
  • Statistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-4 years in a role involving data processing, data analysis, or quality assurance.

Preferred: Experience in a role specifically focused on data ingestion, data validation, or application support where handling client data was a primary responsibility.

Explore More Careers