Solution Architect

If you have read my job descriptions before, this will be a refresher. For those of you who haven't read my job descriptions before, welcome to the party....I like to add a little humor, so you will see some comedy scattered in this Job Description.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tom. I am VP & Partner with a firm named RSM Solutions Inc. I have been recruiting technical talent for over 22 years and been in the tech sector since the 1990's. Due to this, I am going to be far more focused on 'fit' than anything else...a fit for you and a fit for the client. Also, I like to write my own Job Descriptions...so, no bots, no AI, just a dude. I am willing to be there are those who are reading this that are on their 28th application for the day and are probably getting tired of seeing the same stuff for every JD repeated 100 times. We need a 'self starter' is always one that gives me a chuckle. Anyway, I hope this will be a refreshing change of pace...so, buckle up, welcome to the ride.

This role is replacing someone who had been with this firm for a couple years and had to leave due to family situations that require his attention. I mention this because turnover is quite low at this particular client...they have a tendency to keep their people for quite a while. This goes back to that 'fit' thing I mentioned earlier...so, you might as 'so...Tom, what creates a good fit here?'... Well, I am glad you asked. Here are some of those key characteristics:

• There are firms out there where solution architects are sometimes the people that everyone looks at with that 'evil eye'...you know what I am talking about if you have been in an implementation where the sales staff promised the sun, moon and stars and you are asked to deliver 20x what the product can actually do. Well, these guys operate differently...their solution architects, team leads, sales staff and operations actually work together (wow, what a concept) so that actual customer success can be realized. So, what does this mean for 'fit'...well, this means that these guys really thrive on honesty...honesty with regards to your opinions, honesty with regards to what you can do, honesty with your team mates. So, be that honest - genuinely decent person - and you will be off to a good start.
• This is a limited drama place...I know this may sound like a relatively simple thing to say...so, let me elaborate. If you are the kind of individual who thinks the world revolves around you, then you may be a good fit for being an Instagram Influencer (I still don't know what those people do), but you probably wont be a fit here. So, if you are the kind of person who gets along well with others, enjoys working together and so on, then we DO have the start of a great fit.

Here is the Job Description

This role is being done in a hybrid manner with 2-3 days a week onsite in Orland Park, Illinois, and the remainder of the week being done remotely. We are really only looking for candidates in the Chicago area. If you are looking to relocate to the area, that is fine...but, there are no relocation dollars available for this role.

I can only work with US Citizens or Green Card Holders for this role.

We are seeking what this firm is calling a 'MES Solution Architect'. Under the covers, however, we don't need a ton of architectural experience per se. What we do need is that MES experience. So, I will specifically be looking for experience with MES's (examples are SAP, Rockwell Automation (Plex), Rockwell Automation Factory Talk, Dassault Systèmes, iBASEt, and Forcam). So, I will be zeroing in on experience with that wonderful world of MES's. If you have been a Manufacturing Engineer that has a bunch of MES experience, that would be good alternative if you haven't been a solution architect before. If you have a lot of Manufacturing Shop Floor experience and have done some PLC work and then grew into a role where you were responsible (or involved) in MES, that would be great to see as well.

You would be the person coming in after the sale has been completed to integrate this firms MES software into that customers enterprise. This client actually has extremely high customer sat rates (1,750 customers globally). They are also relatively small as well (500 employees across 13 global locations), so that leads to one of those 'fit' bullet points I mentioned, above. When you hear customers say: 'It's simply brilliant what we've achieved over the last few years. The MES has highlighted weak points which we have improved, and we are on the best way to a paperless factory. I am very proud of what we've accomplished'...this tells you that they are serious about customer satisfaction. These guys have very flat hierarchies as well to make sure everyone (including you) get what you need in order to be successful. if you have made it this far...fantastic...we're almost to the end.

Here are some of the things you will be responsible for:

• Function as a subject matter expert and lead specialist in delivering overall Manufacturing Execution Software (MES) solutions (you will be seen as the SME by this client's customer base).
• Conduct detailed workshops with customer subject matter experts to analyze and document manufacturing processes.
• Define and document functional and technical solutions required to implement an MES in the customer’s environment.
• Lead MES configuration and implementation activities within clients’ IT and manufacturing infrastructure. This will include training sessions, ongoing instruction and guidance and with users.
• Work with resolving technical issues that arise during the implementations.
• Strategize and advise customers regarding our products that could improve and enhance production operations.
• Support product and software development initiatives as it relates to specific customer installations (we don't need an MES developer...rather, we need someone that can work with application developers in terms of 'here is what this particular customer would like to do' language).
• Utilize the data collected by the MES system to assist customers to identify opportunities and implement changes to improve manufacturing processes and/or reduce costs, utilizing knowledge in engineering and production equipment, processes, quality and design standards;
• Collaborate with key contacts at customer sites to define existing data flows, analyze organizational structures and identify clients’ needs while closing data ‘black holes’ within their production processes.

Here is what we are seeking:

• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes and production logistics (for example, if you were working in the IT Department of a firm, but were deep into the MES and Manufacturing Shop Floor, that would do the trick). In addition, if you have been a Manufacturing Engineer that has worked with your firms MES quite a bit, that would work as well.
• I am really going to looking for MES experience in your resume...so, if you are serious about this role, please let me know about your MES experience (in other words, I am going to be looking for MES experience in your resume...).
• Experience introducing software systems into manufacturing environments (so, for example, if you were the individual that thought 'hmm...things could really improve on our manufacturing shop floor if we did this...', then we are on the right track).
• Exceptional levels of reliability, flexibility, self-motivation and initiative (you will be interacting with, primarily, Vp and Director level individuals at customer sites, so that ability to follow through on what you promised is very important).