Job Summary:
We are seeking a Solution and Functional Architect (SAFA) to lead consulting engagements and drive digital transformation initiatives. The role involves translating business goals into strategic technology solutions while designing end-to-end architecture across business processes, data platforms, analytics, and applications. The ideal candidate will work closely with leadership teams, manage stakeholder relationships, and ensure successful delivery of transformation programs across merchandising and supply chain operations.
Key Responsibilities:
• Translate business goals into a structured transformation roadmap covering assortment, inventory, forecasting, pricing signals, and replenishment processes.
• Own end-to-end solution architecture including business processes, data architecture, analytics/ML frameworks, and enterprise applications.
• Define AI/LLM use cases, evaluation metrics, human-in-the-loop workflows, explainability standards, and production deployment patterns.
• Develop business cases and define KPIs/OKRs to track value realization and program outcomes.
• Create and publish monthly value dashboards to leadership teams.
• Act as the single point of accountability for business stakeholders and coordinate with internal teams, vendors, and product providers.
• Lead governance activities including POD ceremonies, risk and issue management, release planning, and dependency coordination.
• Drive organizational change and adoption through training, playbooks, and operational change management.
• Support merchandising and supply chain operations with process improvements and digital solution adoption.
Required Skills & Experience:
• Strong consulting and leadership experience in solution architecture and digital transformation programs.
• Ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable technology solutions.
• Experience designing enterprise solutions across processes, data platforms, analytics, and application layers.
• Strong experience in AI/ML enablement including use case design, model evaluation, and production deployment strategies.
• Experience building business cases and tracking value realization through KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across business leaders, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing program governance including delivery planning, risk management, and release coordination.
Competencies:
• Strategic thinking and enterprise architecture design.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and leadership capabilities.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and change adoption.
Preferred Skills:
• Experience in Retail or CPG domains including merchandising, clustering, planogram management, pricing, and promotions.
• Exposure to legacy analytics platforms such as Vertex and IBM SPSS and modernization initiatives.
• Experience working with custom product platforms (e.g., PULSE).
• Experience managing multi-vendor partner ecosystems including nearshore and offshore teams.
• Certifications such as CSCP/CPIM (ASCM), PMP/Prince2, TOGAF, SAFe, or equivalent.