Data Architect at Sappi

As a Data Architect, you will be responsible for:

Data Architecture

• Translate business requirements from all regions and areas of the business into architectural requirements and technical specifications, including data streams, integration, transformation and appropriate data storage options.
• Define the data architecture framework standards and principles, including data modelling/transformation, metadata, security, reference and master data, change management and governance.
• Design, develop and maintain data flows for data sources, data transformation and data consumption - including the processes used to plan, specify, enable, create, acquire, transform, maintain, use, archive, retrieve, control, and purge data.
• Collaborate and coordinate with multiple departments, stakeholders, partners, and external vendors to achieve

Operational management

• Assess best practices and propose procedures and safeguards to constantly ensure data integrity and data availability.
• Work independently as well as with the global team to prioritise business requirements and develop time estimates and implementation plans.
• Effectively communicate with all stakeholders on the status of all initiatives
• Establish and maintain governance to ensure full compliance of audit, controls and security requirements.

Interfaces

• This role will interface with internal and external business partners, system integration leads, functional leads and development leads, customers and vendors in order to fulfil the stated primary goal. 
• Build constructive relationships with internal and external business partners and with suppliers/contractors.
• Collaborate with global business partners in identifying opportunities to streamline their operations.
• This role requires strong people skills, with the ability to conceive, portray and articulate the big data picture to all stakeholders

Support

• Facilitate a Sappi data driven culture by ensuring data is accessible and digestible according to business requirement and priorities.

Continuous Improvement & innovation

• Support the culture of continuous improvement through team member engagement, training, coaching, and innovation.
• Identify, review, and promote creative ideas and approaches to improve data democratization.
• Ensure optimal utilization of technology solutions, and benefit realization for solutions deployed.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum University Degree in Information Technology.
• Masters Degree would be an added advantage.
• 5-8 years experience in Data Engineering and Architecture.
• Strong experience and skill level in designing and building robust data solutions
• Experience in SQL and data transformation (ETL)
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and robust code in either Python, Scala or Java. Knowledge of R is a plus
• Exposure to established and emerging data technologies.
• Ability to multitask and manage workload with minimal supervision.
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships with people at all levels
• Strong analytical skills with heightened problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Familiarity with data science workflows and experience with micro services and container technologies like Docker is a plus
• Familiarity with citizen data science tools like Rapidminer and visualisation tools like Tableau is a plus
• This role requires innovation-oriented skills and exposure to big data technologies and architecture options.
• Development experience in data solutions is prerequisite in order to extract and transform data from a variety of data sources according to business requirements for BI and Advanced Analytics purposes.
• Must be willing to travel.