Solution Architect

Description

Utilizes comprehensive solutions architectural expertise to support software implementation projects. Supports overall project planning by evaluating current business processes against the goals of the project, defining the work required to implement the client solution, and determining the necessary resources to deploy and support the solution.

Essential Functions

• Consults with clients to determine and address the gap between client expectations of the SAP solution and the actual fit of the solution into the existing systems landscape.
• Partners with the client’s technical team to integrate the existing internal system with the proposed SAP system.
• Analyzes and validates the clients’ business and IT requirements by considering applicable business strategy and business drivers, relevant industry trends, key pain points, challenges and priorities.
• Applies highly technical SAP product and industry knowledge, best practices, technology trends, and product future direction to guide the client toward the appropriate business solution.
• Works strategically to improve integration and application development process through reuse of integrations, solutions architecture, and consistent processes.
• Oversees technical system integration and program-level integration testing.
• Provides maintenance planning and technical road-mapping for Rizing Consumer Industries internal SAP systems.
• Participates in project resource planning, goal planning, interviewing, and one-on-one meetings with manager and direct reports on a scheduled basis.
• Provides strategic guidance for project planning, system landscape, data migration, testing, deployment, integration, and overall solution architecture.
• Facilitates interaction with client to gain initial understanding of current requirements, business processes, and as-is solution and system landscape.
• Provides guidance in defining the solution by creating and presenting a high-level design that delineates the components, both legacy and new, necessary for the to-be solution.
• Documents solution details and works closely with the development teams to facilitate understanding of the high-level deployment tasks necessary to implement the solution.
• Provides intermediate steps for solution design when a single implementation step is infeasible.
• Works in conjunction with business and IT stakeholders to validate the proposed solution architecture and assure the solution meets original expectations and requirements.
• Collaborates with IT stakeholders to gain understanding of required protocols and standards for the implementation; validates that the solution being implemented will satisfy the system service levels.
• Identifies knowledge gaps within the project and recommends courses of action available.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with a diverse group of business, functional, and technical teams in this client-facing role.
• Cultivates and demonstrates industry-specific business process knowledge and familiarity with relevant functional strategies, objectives, and plans; completes personal training and stays current with SAP products and integrations.
• Mentors team members and encourages knowledge sharing to develop overall growth and professionalism.
• Provides support for pre-sales initiatives that include developing and reviewing roadmaps, demos, estimates, and responses to RFP/RFQ’s.
• Maintains demo system to facilitate customer communication.
• Supports additional implementation efforts and internal initiatives as needed.
• Identifies and recommends additional client solutions to extend the engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions (Continued)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience. 
• Minimum of 10 years supporting SAP solutions in a functional or technical capacity.
• Minimum of 3 years in Consumer Industries, IT Solutions, or Consulting.
• Minimum of 3 years in a functional or technical leadership capacity.

Desired Qualifications

• Certification in specific subject area. 
• Master’s degree.
• SAP Functional and/or Technical Solution Certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Expert knowledge in specific industry and area of expertise to include how SAP software is used in the client’s business environment and how the SAP Solution will enhance the overall business and technical processes.
• Expert understanding of SAP business processes, strong configuration, design and development.
• Advanced MS Office to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint.
• Ability to understand and follow the strategic direction set by senior management as it relates to project and company goals.
• Ability to attentively listen and effectively communicate with clients in order to build relationships to include effectively articulating ideas to various audiences, creating and delivering presentations, facilitating focus groups and workshops.
• Ability to assess and assist clients with existing systems and optimize their solutions using existing knowledge of system functionality and best practice recommendations.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse project team, deploying the features and functions of SAP products as outlined in the Statement of Work.
• Ability to build relationships with a variety of groups including executives, managers, consultants, and clients.
• Ability to engage and work with the client team, reach out internally to support or provide insight when working on problem statement, technical design or configuration challenges.
• Ability to creatively analyze and solve complex problems, with the ability to implement resolutions.
• Ability to think in abstracts and logically, diligently asking probing questions and recommending solutions.
• Ability to develop and present new ideas and conceptualize new approaches and solutions.
• Ability to establish and manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines with attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work long hours, including weekend hours to ensure deliverable commitments are on delivered on time.
• Ability to coach/train/mentor less experienced consultants and manage off-shore resources if required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Continued)

Work Environment and Special Consideration

• Extensive travel to client worksites.
• Works in a professional office and/or remote office environment.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptops, monitor, phones, and headsets.

Competencies