Solution Architect

The Manager, Solutions Architect is responsible for designing, governing, and delivering scalable technology solutions that support FairPrice Group's merchandising, sourcing, procurement, and enterprise operations transformation initiatives. The role serves as the bridge between business, product, project, and engineering teams, translating business requirements into end-to-end solution architectures while ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture standards, security requirements, scalability needs, and business objectives. The incumbent will lead solution design across multiple concurrent initiatives, partnering closely with business stakeholders, project managers, business analysts, vendors, and development teams to drive successful delivery of strategic and operational technology programmes. Key ResponsibilitiesSolution Architecture & Design• Define end-to-end solution architecture for merchandising, procurement, sourcing, inventory, and enterprise business applications. • Translate business requirements into scalable, secure, and maintainable technology solutions. • Produce architecture artefacts including: Solution Design Documents, Integration Architecture, Data Flow Diagrams, Application Architecture Blueprints, Technical Design Specifications, Advisory on integrations, AI first solution designs • Ensure solutions adhere to enterprise architecture principles, security standards, and technology governance requirements. • Evaluate technology options and recommend optimal solution approaches balancing cost, scalability, speed, and business value. Business & Stakeholder Partnership• Partner closely with business stakeholders to understand business objectives, pain points, operational processes, and transformation opportunities. • Collaborate with Business Analysts to refine requirements and ensure solution feasibility. • Facilitate architecture workshops and design reviews with business and technology teams. • Provide technology advisory and solution recommendations to support business decision-making. • Act as a trusted advisor to merchandising, sourcing, procurement, and operations stakeholders. • Ability to work with internal technology COE’s focusing on integration, quality assurance and AI. Programme & Project DeliveryLead solution architecture across multiple concurrent initiatives including: • Merchandising System enhancements and transformation • Night Buying System • F&V Claims Management • Integrated Supplier Portal  • Sourcing & Contract Management • SKU Transformation & BOM Setup  Key responsibilities include: • Supporting project planning and solution estimation. • Managing technical dependencies across projects. • Ensuring architecture alignment across programmes. • Supporting testing, deployment, and implementation activities. • Identifying and mitigating architecture and technical risks. • Collaboration with Integration COE, overlook and own the integration for the above scope of work. Technology Delivery & Engineering Collaboration• Work closely with front-end and back-end development teams to ensure solution designs are implemented as intended. • Review technical designs, development approaches, and integration patterns. • Provide architecture guidance during development, testing, and deployment phases. • Ensure solutions are scalable, supportable, and operationally sustainable. • Drive adoption of best practices in application design, integration, API architecture, and system performance. Vendor & Partner Management• Manage external vendors, system integrators, and technology partners involved in solution delivery. • Review vendor solution proposals and technical designs. • Ensure vendors comply with FairPrice Group architecture, security, and governance standards. • Track vendor delivery quality, risks, issues, and remediation plans. • Support contract discussions and technical evaluations during procurement exercises. Governance, Risk & Compliance• Ensure solution compliance with enterprise technology standards, cybersecurity requirements, and regulatory obligations. • Conduct architecture reviews and design assurance activities. • Identify technical debt, architecture risks, and operational vulnerabilities. • Support audit, risk assessment, and compliance activities when required. • Maintain architecture documentation and knowledge repositories. RequirementsEducation• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline. Experience• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in solution architecture, application design, systems analysis, or enterprise technology delivery. • Experience delivering large-scale enterprise application implementations and transformation programmes. • Strong understanding of business applications supporting: Merchandising, Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Retail Operations • Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a complex enterprise environment. • Experience working with external vendors and system integrators. Technical Competencies• Solution Architecture • Enterprise Application Design • Systems Integration • API Architecture • Data Architecture & Data Flows • Cloud Technologies • Application Development Lifecycle (SDLC) • Front-end and Back-end Architecture • Architecture Governance • Technology Risk Assessment • Vendor Solution Evaluation • Good understanding of mulesoft, SAP CPI and other integration solutions • Good to have agentic AI experience