Solution Architect at JD Group

Introduction

The Solution Architect is responsible for defining, maintaining, and optimizing the architecture framework across the organization. This role ensures delivering efficient and effective solutions aligned with the organization's strategic goals, are scalable and integrate seamlessly with existing systems. The Solution Architect collaborates with senior leadership, IT teams, and other stakeholders to establish architectural standards and best practices.

Roles and Responsibilities

Architectural Framework

• Develop and maintain the overall enterprise architecture framework, including principles, standards, and best practices.
• Ensure the architecture aligns with the organization's strategic objectives and business needs.

Strategic Alignment

• Collaborate with senior leadership to align technology initiatives with business goals.
• Provide architectural guidance and oversight for major IT projects and initiatives.

Solution Design and Integration

• Ensure that individual solutions fit into the broader enterprise architecture.
• Oversee the integration of systems and solutions, ensuring interoperability and scalability.
• Conduct architecture reviews to ensure compliance with architectural standards.

Governance and Standards

• Establish and enforce architectural governance processes.
• Define and promote architectural standards and guidelines across the organization.

Technology Evaluation

• Assess new technologies and their potential impact on the enterprise architecture.
• Recommend technology solutions that support business objectives and improve operational efficiency.

Documentation and Communication

• Create and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation.
• Communicate architectural vision, strategy, and principles to stakeholders at all levels.

Collaboration and Mentorship

• Mentor technical teams.
• Foster collaboration between different IT teams and departments to ensure cohesive architecture.

Experience

• 5+ years experience in IT and enterprise architecture

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience in enterprise architecture, including architecture frameworks and methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of software development, systems architecture, and IT infrastructure.
• Familiarity with cloud computing, microservices architecture, and modern integration techniques.

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to align technology solutions with business goals and objectives.
• Experience in strategic planning and road mapping for technology initiatives.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Proven experience leading teams and cross-functional projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

Problem-Solving

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex technical and business challenges.
• Experience in risk management and mitigation strategies.

Governance and Compliance

• Experience in establishing and managing architectural governance processes.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements affecting enterprise architecture.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a similar role within a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated success in implementing enterprise-wide architecture initiatives.
• Experience with enterprise architecture tools and repositories.

Innovation and Emerging Technologies

• Keeping abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Leading and participating in proof-of-concept initiatives to explore new technologies and approaches.

SAP experience

• Understanding of SAP functional processes.
• Ability to confidently speak through end-to-end SAP Processes and detail the integration points between different SAP modules & Areas.
  • Sales and Distribution (SD)
  • Materials Management (MM)
  • Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
  • Warehouse Management (WM)
  • Integration solutions
  • Customer Experience (CX)

Competencies

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes.
• Excellent English language written and oral communication skills.
• MS Office proficiency with advanced excel.
• Google suite proficiency.
• Personal resilience.
• Energy and drive.
• Customer orientation.
• Innovative.
• Analytical.

Qualifications

• 3 year IT related degree (advantageous)
• Certified in TOGAF, Agile Methodologies (advantageous)
• Certified in COBIT, Prince II (advantageous)
• Certified in ITIL 3 (required)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect or equivalent cloud certifications (advantageous)
• SAP Certification (advantageous)