Solutions Architect

Make to Deliver (M2D) Solution Architect

At Upfield our purpose is clear: we make people healthier and happier with nutritious and delicious, natural, plant-based products that are good for you, our planet; and with packaging that's free from plastic. We've got iconic brands like Rama, Country Crock, Blue Band and Flora that people all over the world know and love. We've been a trusted category leader since 1871 and yet we feel like we're only just getting started.

Performance, Passion and Care define who we are as a company, how we work every day, and the responsibility we feel toward our Associates, our consumers, our business partners and our world.

We have big ambitions to grow this business and we want to attract the right people – those that love what they do, thrive on responsibility and are looking for career defining opportunities.

About the role

If you want to make an impact where it matters, this role offers the opportunity to shape and grow a greenfield agile start-up in pursuit of a better plant-based future. You'll be supporting our Global Business Teams across 95 markets connected through an integrated Supply Chain IT Platform.

M2D Solution Architect plays a vital role in any initiatives, changes and innovations in Supply Chain (both make and deliver phases). It's a high visibility role with access to interact with IT leadership, Global Supply Chain Head, varied functional groups like R&D, Finance, etc.

Job Purpose

With solution ownership accountability in the scoped Make to Deliver (M2D) areas, the IT Solution architect will deliver the following responsibilities within the Enterprise Applications organization:

• Drive IT Business Partnering for Global Process Owners and Business Stakeholders,
• Lead End to End Functional Solution Ownership in the Manufacturing and Distribution processes
• Assist IT Support Operations around problem management and continuous improvement
• Overall Solution design and architecture responsibility – scalability, sustainability, TCO, etc.
• Continuous Improvement in Innovation delivery and Support processes - Shift Left, RPA, etc.

Technology Scope:

M2D Solution Architect has an overarching responsibility for all IT tools being used at Upfield for Make and Deliver operations. This includes SAP S/4 HANA MM, PP, QM, IM/WM/EWM, LBN and Transportation Management and non SAP systems like API Pro . The Solution Architect should also provide technical oversight, critical expert insights and architecture guidance of all IT tools which together comprise the IT solution for Manufacturing and Distribution functions at Upfield

Within his/her portfolio scope (as above), the IT Solution Architect has the following accountabilities:

Main Responsibilities

Solution Ownership

• Engage with Upfield Global Process Owners (Make to Deliver) and drive the creation of the Technical & Functional Roadmap.
• Build and Maintain the IT - Business Process alignment to underlying technology services and capabilities.
• Maximize leverage of existing Technology investment
• Review all business requests, validate if that is the right thing to do – drive standardization, avoid / eliminate technical debt and minimise TCO.
• Review design of all Partner proposed solutions and ensure alignment with the Upfield process, adoption of SAP standard solutions, and at the right cost for Upfield.
• Ensure adequately updated Solution Documentation is in place and in play.
• Drive adherence to Technical Standards by IT Partners (Development / Integration / Testing etc. standards)
• Help define an IT Product Roadmap Strategy for managed IT Platforms, based on Industry Best Practises, Software Publisher's Roadmaps and Upfield specific functional strategy – covering Technology, Process and Data
• Senior Presence and acumen to build credibility while working with stakeholders.

Demand Management

• Review and validate all new IT demand in the Make to Deliver area.
• Challenge requirements where they deviate from Best Practises / Standard solutions.
• Identify and propose best practises to meet business requirements.
• Work closely with IT Platform Owners, Global Business Process Owners, and IT Partners to manage demand backlog, validate and signoff Functional and Technical Specifications and effort estimation while maintaining the Product and Functional Roadmap strategy's technical standards.
• Validate and own impact assessment / design documentation to ensure operational processes are not affected post deployment.
• Work closely with demand delivery teams to ensure that the changes meet Business and Technology standards.

Operations

• Enable resolution of key escalated operational issues along with Service Partners in the capacity of an SME.
• Drive problem management and continuous service improvements.

Key Stakeholders:

• Supply Chain Global Business Process Owners/Leaders
• Manufacturing and Distribution End Users
• IT Solution Architects (Order to Cash, Make to Deliver, Plan to Forecast etc)
• IT Platform Leads
• Enterprise Architects

Direct Reports:

• Outsourced Partner Teams

About you

You are a seasoned Solution Architect and Service Delivery Manager with hands-on experience in SAP. You have working experience in service delivery through third-party contractors/vendors and a passion for running smooth operations

• You should be passionate about making a positive impact to Upfield's business through IT operations and innovations.
• You have 8+ years of IT Service delivery & Innovation experience in Supply Chain
• You have been part of multiple full-cycle SAP project delivery experience in SAP Make and/or deliver modules (PP/MM/QM/LE/WM/EWM, etc.).
• SAP Project Management experience and expertise in various SAP project delivery methodologies is required
• In depth understanding of Supply Chain Business Processes and how it relates to IT operations is a must.
• Vendor Team Management (Indirect Control): Experience managing multi-vendor team or outsourced delivery model
• Ability to hold Vendor partners accountable to quality, contract, and agreed cost/time for delivery
• ITSM/ITIL certification will be preferred. Deep expertise in service delivery models like DevOps, Agile, etc. is expected
• Ability to communicate effectively with Leadership – call out risks/mitigation, status updates, etc.
• Ability to quickly scale up on a new tool or ways of working

What's next?

If this position sounds interesting, please hit the apply button now

We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Upfield is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles. 

Upfield is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit and hire based on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviors, experience and knowledge. It is the policy of Upfield not to discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of age, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, race, religion, veteran status or other protected class.

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