Digital Solutions Architect, Watford

Job Title: Digital Solutions ArchitectSalary: Competitive Job Type: Full Time

Are you an experienced Digital Solution Architect with a background in Retail , maybe looking for a new and exciting opportunity, if so, we would love to speak to you?

Come and join our newly formed Technology team as we embark on a very exciting roadmap which introduces multiple new, foundational capabilities into Wickes to achieve the company\\\’s core objectives.

Wickes are a digitally led, service enabled organisation with a vision to have a project in every home. We are more than the nation’s favourite DIY store, we are a growing multichannel organisation, with a strong culture of authenticity and innovation.

This is a great time to join a growing business, to be part of a new technology team. The Solutions Architects will work closely with our product owners and product/project managers to ensure a robust architectural runway that can support future business requirements throughout the product life cycle.

Key Responsibilities

• As our Digital Solution Architect, you will be accountable for the development, maintenance and execution of the systems architecture roadmaps.
• You’ll focus initially on the Unified Commerce Platform (UCP) implementation Program which today, is in its design phase. As the business evolves, this role will expand to cover broader digital initiatives, including eCommerce and other key digital transformation projects.
• You’ll lead the architectural design and strategy for the UCP project, ensuring alignment with MACH principles (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless) and business objectives.
• Collaboration is key, with internal stakeholders, the selected SI partner, and vendors to design a scalable, secure, and flexible solution for UCP.
• You’ll need proven ability to react to issues with legacy systems and suggest innovative approaches to day to day challenges within the existing bounds of those platforms.
• You’ll be working with the Enterprise/Domain Architects and Lead Solution Architects to communicate the systems architecture plan and the benefits that it will provide to the business units.

What we are looking for

• We are looking for someone with experience of providing consultancy to the business, designing and monitoring complex architectures and delivering architectural solutions to solve business requirements and concerns.
• We need someone who has got strong hands-on implementation skills in contemporary technologies and methodologies (Cloud, Integrations / APIs), comfortable working at the detailed level in complex technical environments.

It would be advantageous to have strong knowledge of retail operations, back-office systems, and digital commerce ecosystems and experience of working within digital transformation programs, with knowledge of eCommerce platforms and omnichannel retail architecture.

Alongside this you will also bring:

• Strong experience in MACH technologies (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, Headless).
• Proven track record in EPOS systems implementation and retail-specific technology solutions.
• Strong hands-on implementation skills in contemporary technologies and methodologies (Cloud, Integrations / APIs), comfortable working at the detailed level in complex technical environments
• Modelling processes, systems, data and infrastructure in UML, Archimate and/or other modelling languages
• Excellent understanding of application development methodologies and infrastructure and network architecture
• Excellent analytical, planning, organisational and technical and skills along with excellent written and verbal communication skills

What’s in it for you!

We are committed to supporting our colleagues’ needs however we can. We believe that being together drives collaboration, builds strong relationships and enables everyone to experience and contribute to our winning culture. We also realise that all our colleagues are individuals and that flexibility can be important for colleagues to be effective, productive and achieve a good work life balance. With flexible hybrid working, you will work 2-3 days a week in our Support Centre in Watford.

You will be working closely with the Wickes IT services team and will have the opportunity to advise and shape the technology landscape of Wickes.

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:

• A competitive salary, 15% annual bonus and a £5k car allowance
• Save-as-you-earn scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.

About Us:

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 232 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required – general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.

Closing date for application is 10th November 2024