IT SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
- Conduct research and provide thought leadership to guide the business and IT strategy for transformational projects and optimisation opportunities
- Define solutions for Woolworths in support of the business strategy
- Proactively define and support the Woolworths Architecture landscape, in partnership with various parties to ensure governance is adhered to
- Contribute to the development of IT architecture frameworks, processes, methodologies and templates
- Document future-fit solution designs with sustainability and scalability in mind, considering impacts and dependencies, in collaboration with Business Process Analysts, Application leads, Enterprise Architects and business subject matter experts
- Proactively identify, mobilise and deliver IT opportunities for continuous improvements, as input to the IT Operating Plan
- Proactively identify business risks and mitigations, based on architecture principles and guidelines
- Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders across Woolworths IT and Business
- Lead and Support Woolworths project solution requirements by ensuring engagement and alignment across the Woolworths landscape
- Collaborate with Woolworths cross-functional teams to deliver solutions for Strategic Projects and Operating Plan initiatives
- Actively participate in, and promote a working group culture across Woolworths IT, Business and Architecture functions.
- Work with the Technical Management structures within IT to build out the technical roadmap to meet increasing business demand, sustainability and scalability requirements
Minimum requirements
· Relevant 3 year tertiary or NQF aligned qualification or relevant experience
· Relevant architecture certification
· At least 3 years’ experience in an architecture capacity with focus on retail
· TOGAF certification / experience advantageous
· Retail Point of Sale experience essential
· Process modelling experience essential
· Relevant IT experience
· Retail industry knowledge and experience required
· Retail operations knowledge and experience required
· Experience in working with Agile Delivery Frameworks
· Experience in working with both on prem and cloud solutions
· Experience in working with a variety of databases and coding programs, as well as XML and JSON
feeds advantageous
· Strong communication skills essential
· Strong presentation skills essential
· Strong analytical skills essential
· Strong problem solving skills essential
· Understanding of modern development methodologies, Agile, DevOps, Scrum
· Experience in Defect Management Life Cycle
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
- Conducts research regularly to provide thought leadership as input to Business and IT strategies
- Proactively designs solutions with security, quality, scale and resilience, top of mind
- Responsive to external influences (positive or negative) on the organisation
- Supports the development of business acumen of team through knowledge sharing and upskilling
- Factors in retail models and levers in building an effective IT landscape.
- Develops retail acumen of team through knowledge sharing and upskilling.
- Makes sound technical decisions based on understanding of what is commercially achievable within technological constraints.
- Evaluates the applicability of solutions with the ability to challenge and qualify its suitability for the business.
- Devises contingency and mitigation strategies based on interdependencies, risks and considerations.
- Engineers technical solutions aligned to roadmap by defining and implementing the design, build and architect for the solutions.
- Approachable and willing to help others identify key issues and viewpoints in complex situations or problems.
- Is an expert in identifying potential barriers and works proactively to eliminate risk.
- Mentors others on how to translate business requirements and plans and ensure implementation of activities/projects identified in business strategy.
- Consistently maintains a keen awareness of the interrelationships among various components of large-scale activities/projects.
- Consistently applies diplomacy and tact, effectively demonstrating respect for differing perspectives.
- Demonstrates an advanced understanding of the perspectives of others to establish mutually beneficial objectives.
- Exceeds expectations in appropriately adapting the message, style and tone to accommodate a variety of audiences.
- Consistently addresses groups of people confidently.
- Effectively anticipates and initiates change by staying updated on trends affecting one’s own field to adapt to an evolving landscape.
- Proactively and effectively reviews, evaluates and disseminates information regarding key methodologies, best practices and effective tools to support a future landscape
