At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement innovative solutions for BMI's procurement process.
- Company: Join BMI, a company that empowers and inspires growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of procurement technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in IT or related field; 8+ years as an SAP Solution Architect.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Empower, Connect, Evolve, and Inspire - these are the values that drive us and make BMI a company where you can thrive and grow.
As a BMI Solution Owner, you are accountable for key decision-making on Solution designs within the BMI Procurement process. Ensure that business requirements are met while supporting the overall objectives for BMI business and adhering to Industry best practices. Champion standardisation and simplification of solutions. You are expected to combine deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of business processes to design and implement solutions that contribute to BMI’s overall success. You will be the bridge between business requirements and technical solutions, ensuring that BMI’s systems enable and enhance the efficiency of business operations.
As a specialist of Procurement functional area, you will work closely with the functional global process owner team to ensure that the solutions we design and develop will meet the requirements of our business; be compliant with BMI’s overall Enterprise Architecture; and be as close to core standard as possible, with minimal change. You will also work closely with our delivery partners to ensure that what is built meets the design and technical specifications, is delivered to BMI standards, is fit for purpose, and is fully documented. This role reports directly to the Head of Enterprise Applications.
BMI’s solution is core to its business and future growth, as such this role is one of a few that are considered essential to recruit and retain as end-to-end knowledge of our solution underpins realising our business strategy.
Key Accountabilities:
- Solution Design: Develop comprehensive and fit-for-purpose solution designs. Collaborate with Global Process Owners to gather, understand and analyse business related requirements and the processes that they support. Translate these business requirements into effective solutions using the best-fit applications, collaborate with vendors to assess cost implications and ensure the complete impact is accessed and documented. Ensure the design considers fit-with-standard, scalability, flexibility, future growth and assure the quality of the solution via the review and approval of testing outcomes, assess the impact on the existing solution for regression and maintain documentation updated.
- System Architecture: Define and implement an optimised system architecture. Plan and design the system landscape, considering factors such as performance, security, and integration related to Solutions. Align the architecture with industry best practices, BMI’s standards and BMI’s Enterprise Architecture. Evaluate and select technologies that offer a cost-effective solution for supporting all desired business processes. Selection should be made in collaboration with global process owners, and both implementation and maintenance expenses should be considered.
- Integration with Existing Systems: Ensure seamless integration of solutions with existing systems. Collaborate with other architects, developers, and integration teams to design effective interfaces and end-to-end integration across solutions. Identify and resolve integration challenges to maintain data flow and business process continuity.
- Project Delivery: Support delivery of projects to time, quality and budget. Participate in the project planning to ensure there is full coverage of Solution activities and the timelines are realistic. Collaborate and engage with 3rd party delivery partners to ensure that what is being built aligns with requirements and specifications. Collaborate with project managers to identify and mitigate risks that could impact project delivery. Accountable for creating and maintaining comprehensive documentation of the solution architecture, configurations, ensuring accessibility and compliance.
- Performance Optimisation: Identify and implement performance improvements in systems. Regularly assess system performance and identify opportunities for optimisation. Optimise system configurations and recommend enhancements to improve overall efficiency and performance.
- Quality Assurance: Accountable for the quality, security and reliability of solutions through rigorous testing and validation processes, maintaining documentation as evidence. Conduct system assessments and reviews to identify and address potential issues and to ensure that our solutions are fit for purpose. Collaborate with testing teams to validate that the implementation meets specified requirements.
- Continuous Improvement and BAU: Keep up to date with trends and technologies to ensure that solutions are optimised and continuously assessed for improvement. Stay informed about Solution updates, new releases, and emerging technologies. Evaluate and recommend opportunities for enhancing the BMI landscape based on industry advancements.
- Business as Usual (BAU): Work with BAU partners and BMI service managers to ensure smooth day-to-day operations (BAU) for the BMI solutions. Oversee overall BAU status and drive resolution of priority tickets and escalations to achieve service level targets.
- Clear Communication with Stakeholders: Communicate technical concepts and decisions to GPOs and non-technical stakeholders. Work closely with GPOs to ensure alignment between solutions and overall business and process strategy. Provide regular updates on solution developments and status.
Key stakeholders: This role reports into the Head of Enterprise Applications with regular interactions with ITLT members, GPO’s and business stakeholders.Qualifications & Experiences Required:
- Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Proven experience as an SAP (process area) Solution Architect, with a minimum of 8 years in a similar role.
- Extensive knowledge of SAP technologies, including S/4 HANA, (relevant SAP functional areas).
- Strong technical skills in SAP architecture, configuration, and customization. Ability to design and implement complex SAP solutions to meet business requirements.
- Proficiency in solution design and system architecture, ensuring that SAP implementations align with business goals, scalability requirements, and industry best practices.
- Strong understanding of SAP integration technologies and methodologies, data migration, and system landscape design.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- SAP certification (e.g., SAP MM, SAP SRM, VIM) is a plus.
- Familiarity with industry best practices and emerging trends in: Procurement, Vendor Management, Purchase Order Processing, Invoice Verification.
Personal Attributes Required:
- Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Effective planning, organisation, and delegation skills.
- High energy, tenacity, and enthusiasm for delivering results.
- Proficient in business English (and other required languages as applicable).
Solution Owner Source to Pay in Reading employer: BMI Group
BMI Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Milton Keynes where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from comprehensive training programmes, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive culture that values teamwork and excellence in service delivery. With a focus on employee well-being and development, BMI Group stands out as a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the roofing and insulation industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Owner Source to Pay in Reading
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like BMI Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Owner Source to Pay in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to BMI Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to BMI Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like BMI Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at BMI Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at BMI Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at BMI Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into BMI Group's culture.
