APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO!

As process optimisers, ideas generators and in-house consultants, the application development team advances the digital transformation of our company with a host of exciting projects! As one of our four IT departments, Application Development is an important interface for all of the changes in our company and works closely with various other departments. Its key task is to ensure and make available the processes in the internal supply chain. The team takes care of state-of-the-art systems, including one of the largest SAP eWM installations in the world.

To our IT jobs

OUR MAIN TASKS

SUPPORT AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF APPLICATIONS

We ensure that our operational processes work and are always up to date through regular updates and upgrades.

Ein Mann mit Notizbuch und Stift und ein Mann mit einem Kaffee in der Hand unterhalten sich.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION

In close collaboration with our departments, we consistently develop our processes and applications in accordance with the changing requirements.

Eine Frau sitzt mit einem Laptop auf dem Schoß auf einem Schreibtisch.

FIRST- AND SECOND-LEVEL SUPPORT

In the area of first- and second-level support we solve technical problems, provide assistance and clarify queries about our IT systems.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

We support our departments with the realisation of digital processes. Above all else, this includes the introduction and integration of new software.

HOW WE WORK

With a team of 28 colleagues (engineers, consultants, product owners, project managers and IT coordinators), we work closely with our other departments and ensure the provision of all the processes along the supply chain, from the product through to the sale. In short: our job is to technically manage and ensure the supply of new goods to approximately 2,000 stores. Through the high level cross-channel networking of the processes in our online shop and physical stores we are positioning ourselves successfully for the future. We have linked the various technical facilities in our supply chain together, including two highly complex high-bay warehouses, an automated cardboard packaging warehouse, a bag sorting system and much more.

Jyrina and Dennis chat in the IT box

PODCAST: HAVE A LISTEN TO OUR APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Would you like to gain a real insight into the world of application development at Ernsting’s family? Jyrina and Dennis can offer you just that – and much more – in our podcast: look forward to answers to the questions on how Dennis ensures a feel-good atmosphere in his department, why Jyrina moved to the world of IT from fashion design, and why people changing careers are more than welcome in the Application Development team!

OUR PROCESSES ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN

PRODUCT

With our Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution, we support all steps, from the initial idea to the production of a product, on a systematic basis.

MERCHANDISE MANAGEMENT

From the procurement, to the transportation and the quality assurance, to the goods distribution, we manage our merchandise with a modern SAP working environment.

LOGISTICS

Supported by SAP EWM and ERP, we manage all our logistical processes – from the goods receipt through to the goods issue in our stores or from our online shop.

SALES

From the sale in one of our stores or our online shop to the customer – we are also there to support the final step in the supply chain.

YOUR ENTRY TO APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Ein Mann sitzt an einem Besprechungstisch.

For experienced professionals

DIRECT ENTRY

Do you already have some professional experience in the area of application development or a similar professional field? FIND A JOB THAT SUITS YOU NOW!

View current jobs

Ein junger Mann steht hinter einer sitzenden jungen Frau und weist auf ein Dokument auf einem Besprechungstisch.

For career entrants

TRAINEE PROGRAMME

Start your career after finishing university with a trainee programme that focuses on IT. We will provide you with intensive training so that you can rapidly implement and manage your own projects.

Find out more

Ein junger Mann hält ein iPad in den Händen, auf dem einige Produkte aus dem Online Shop von Ernsting's family zu sehen sind.

For school students

APPRENTICESHIP

Start your career with an apprenticeship as an IT Specialist in Application Development. We will provide you with both intensive training in application development and individual support!

Find out more

For anyone interested in our company

INTERNSHIP

An internship is the best way to gain some initial work experience and to get to know our team and our areas of work.

Many of our colleagues started their career at Ernsting’s family this way!

Find out more

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR EVERYDAY WORK!

EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY, IS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE DECISIONS AND IS GIVEN THE SUPPORT THEY NEED!

Christiane, Senior Product Owner PLM at Ernsting’s family since 2016

HI, I’M CHRISTIANE!

I first decided that I was particularly interested in the field of IT during my degree in business administration where I focused on business informatics in particular. As I wanted to gain experience in a variety of areas after finishing my degree, however, I started as a trainee at Ernsting’s family. This enabled me to gain an insight into a wide variety of topics and departments so that I was then able to choose the path that I enjoyed and that challenged me the most. My first department was Application Development, where I still work today as IT Consultant PLM.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A TYPICAL WORKING DAY!

My daily working routine as a trainee consisted almost exclusively of projects, which was very interesting. There was no typical working day in that respect, but that’s exactly what makes my job so interesting and varied. After a short time in the company, I was allowed to take on my first own project. The aim of this project was to connect the IT ticket system for entries, exits and staff changes through a new SAP interface in HR. The work with Excel was to be replaced by tickets which the responsible staff members from the different departments would then be able to work with. I found the whole project and the close collaboration with different departments to be a lot of fun.

THE PLM PROJECT

After that first project, the PLM project started during my trainee phase and I was involved as part of the core team. The PLM system maps the entire life cycle of a product. The processes from the design to the category management, the procurement and the quality development are all integrated, so a wide variety of departments are involved. The biggest challenge was to first understand all the processes surrounding the life cycle of a product. This was exactly what made the project so exciting for me – and also because of my interest in fashion and the processes that lie behind it. Since the successful introduction of the PLM software, I have mainly been involved in its operation. I process tickets and change requests and support departments with the conceptualisation. There are always several small follow-up projects in the PLM environment, so things here never get boring!

What is special for me is the way I have been welcomed and encouraged in the company.

WITH 160,000,000 DELIVERED ITEMS ANNUALLY, OUR SAP EWM SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND HIGHEST-THROUGHPUT SAP EWM SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.

Frank, Senior Team Lead IT-Logistics, at Ernsting’s family since 1999

HI, I’M FRANK!

Apart from a brief interruption, I have been working at Ernsting’s family since 1999. In my department, Application Development, we work in four teams which are basically oriented to the life cycle of the product. Each team has a coordinator. I am one of them, and I’m responsible for the technical interface to the logistics. In my team, we work at two locations with seven people on the design and optimisation of the logistical processes and on the requirements regarding the IT landscape. We also support our in-house logistics team with the introduction and implementation of new processes such as the connection of a fully automated high-bay warehouse to the existing SAP EWM.

We develop independently in SAP EWM but with particularly extensive projects we are supported by long-standing partners. One particular challenge is the coordination of the internal and external developments.

IN THE OFFICE WE HAVE SHORT CHANNELS

“Here at Ernsting’s family, the IT specialists are involved and integrated right from the start. We are not 100 per cent programmers but also to a very large extent process consultants and system consultants – and, of course, application developers. We are always challenged by new projects that have a considerable and unique level of complexity, which is the best part of the job and great fun. In the office, we also have short channels. I network with the other IT coordinators in fixed weekly meetings and we also discuss ideas with the various departments on an almost daily basis. I wouldn’t want to go without this close and collegial collaboration that goes beyond departmental boundaries.

MY CURRENT PROJECTS

The SAP EWM system that we operate is one of the largest and highest throughput SAP EWM systems in the world, with 160,000,000 delivered items per year – 800,000 per day at its peak. Of course, this always presents us with special challenges, but being able to help shape such a high-performance system also makes us proud. One of the most dynamic areas at Ernsting’s family is our online shop. Our strong growth in this area means that our logistics regularly finds itself facing new, exciting challenges. To ensure that we keep pace with this dynamic development in the future, a new, highly technical process is currently being developed. This consists of an automated goods receiving area, a fully automatic cardboard packaging warehouse, a BackStore, a bag sorting system and a high-performance outgoing goods sorting system. With such a combination, the system will be unique in Germany in terms of the SAP EWM environment.

WHAT I APPRECIATE ABOUT ERNSTING’S FAMILY

What I really appreciated about the working culture at Ernsting’s family from the very start is the friendly collaboration here with both in-house colleagues and external service providers. The focus is on teamwork and the joint search for solutions across all hierarchical levels. The bright and friendly working environment certainly contributes to the positive atmosphere, and the working conditions allow me to determine my working hours and the way that I structure my work. The company makes great efforts to act and engage on a sustainable basis, thereby ensuring it has a good image.

I can say without hesitation and with a good feeling that I am proud to work at Ernsting’s family.

COESFELD – A GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES!

Personally, I really enjoy working in Coesfeld. The rural region around Coesfeld is great for families and I can cycle to work so I don’t have to drive all the time. The work/life balance here at Ernsting’s family in Coesfeld is also excellent.