EMEA Solution Architect

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today. At New Balance, We Got Now.

JOB MISSION:

The Solution Functional Architect Lead’s role is to partner with business functions to gain a full understanding of the regional business, find opportunities for digital transformation, and coordinate with the global and regional technical teams to plan and drive innovation through new and existing technology. In this role, they will gain a deep functional knowledge of our business process and help architect and supervise all activities related to the integration of software programs, applications, and third-party solutions as required to meet the business requirements of the region. This individual is also responsible for developing and maintaining an application architecture blueprint for the region, aligned with global standards. This individual will oversee solution selection and design to ensure alignment with global and regional reference architecture standards. Proven communication and change management skills, business domain knowledge, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of integration standard processes are critical to successful performance in this role.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• In close partnership with the Global Enterprise Architect, provides overall regional direction, guidance, and definition of IT architecture to effectively support the corporate regional business strategy.

• Assessing the systems architecture currently in place and working with the regional and global teams to recommend solutions to improve it.

• Continuously improvement on existing business processes and establishes metrics to improve it, as well as support of all architectural disciplines under their direction.

• Building and integrating information systems to meet regional needs, respecting global standards/practices.

• Works on highly complex projects that require in-depth knowledge across multiple specialized architecture domains.

• Continually researching current and emerging technologies and proposing changes where needed, aligning them with the global reference architecture.

• Provides strategic consultation to business and IT leaders, and to the development team as needed.

• Advises on options, risks, costs versus benefits, system impacts, and technology priorities.

• Works with business leaders to understand business requirements and help them understand how technology trade-offs influence strategy.

• Partner with the regional IT leader and the Regional Delivery Center leader to drive innovative solutions to support the growth, efficiency, and agility of the Region, demonstrating Global solutions when available.

• Partner with global technology leaders to align and adopt enterprise solutions, supporting the rollout of the Global Technology stack to the Region, including the ERP, E-commerce, and Retail platforms, among others.

• Rationalize and standardize the global application portfolio across the business, where possible, to deliver cross-product commonalities, efficiencies, and standard processes, while upholding quality support of product area verticals.

• Build/update the regional technology landscape map and keep it updated with any changes on a timely manner. Drive decisions to rationalize solutions focusing on global standards/scalability/business impact.

• Prepare the regional technology ecosystem for the ERP migration and work in close partnership with the Global architect leads and the ERP project team to facilitate the transition.

• Ensure IT system landscape and operations adhere to applicable global standards, laws, and regulations.

• Safeguard company data by demonstrating global cyber security standards for the region.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or technology with at least ten years of working experience as an enterprise or business architect supporting ERP, business, infrastructure, e-commerce, and retail applications.

• Must be high-output and meticulous with multi-tasking abilities and a combination of both functional domain knowledge and technology experience. Work encompasses analysis and evaluations of major projects and studies involving complex and sophisticated concepts and principles and how to apply it to improve business processes/capabilities.

• Prior D365 or AX experience is required.

• Understanding of functional and technical architecture of Dynamics 365 F&O or other cloud ERP services and functional consulting or product management in an implementation of ERP for 5 years. 

• Demonstrated domain knowledge in Procure-to-Pay/Contract Manufacturing.

• Expert understanding of Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid methodologies. 

• Expert understanding of database design principles and database performance optimization. 

• Solid understanding of Azure cloud environments. 

• Maintain a heightened awareness of cultural differences and similarities and respect for differences in time zones and communication methods used worldwide. Demonstrable ability to serve as a central resource for international facilities with increasing responsiveness to business needs globally.

• Demonstrate a good working knowledge of the organization’s policy framework, environment, management structures, and procedures for delivering and improving quality service.

• Demonstrable ability to work in matrix-oriented global organizations, ideally with previous experience in agile ways of working and change management.

• Relationship-oriented individual working with outside vendors as well as all levels of internal staff, verbally and in writing to facilitate the understanding of technical issues to non-technical staff and of business issues by technical staff.

• The ability to travel across the region to visit countries, DCs, Factory, Retail Stores, industry events, and other related events as required – 25% of travel may be needed.

• Comprehensive knowledge of business applications and technologies in use to include ERP (Aurora or Dynamics); POS Retail Applications (SalesForce) and E-Commerce (Sales Force Commerce Cloud).

• English proficiency and fluency in a second European language as an advantage.

BENEFITS:

Benefits will differ based on the location of the associate

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity

• Discount on health insurance

• 8% holiday allowance

• Flexible Working Hours

• Pension Scheme

• 25 days Annual Leave per year

• Up to €250 travel allowance each month

• Hybrid working

• Employee Discount

• Work from-home allowance

• Home working equipment

• Sports subscription via OneFit

• Opportunity to work abroad for four weeks per year

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.