At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape technology solutions and provide architecture governance for diverse projects.
- Company: Join DD Group, a leader in dental and healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days off, employee discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by integrating innovative technologies in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in solution architecture and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced Solutions Architect to join our IT team and play a key role in shaping the technology solutions that support DD Group's continued transformation.
You'll provide solution architecture and technical governance across a varied portfolio of change, ensuring that new and interim solutions are resilient, well-integrated and aligned with our future Group ERP, data and operating model.
Working across a complex and diverse technology landscape, you'll collaborate with IT teams, business stakeholders, suppliers and third parties to turn requirements into practical, sustainable solutions.
We're looking for broad technical capability, curiosity and someone who is energised by new and uncertain challenges.
The ability to engage with unfamiliar technologies, ask the right questions and shape a clear route forward matters more than deep expertise in every system you will encounter.
Contract and working arrangements
This is a fixed-term employment contract on a PAYE basis, running from your appointment date until 30 June 2027.
It is not an off-payroll contractor engagement, so IR35 does not apply.
We intend to seek funding to continue the role beyond that date, but this will be subject to approval through our next financial-year budgeting process and cannot be guaranteed.
Hybrid working is available, with a default expectation of three days each week in our offices, primarily Witham, Essex.
You'll have flexibility to work from the location that best enables you to discharge your responsibilities, including other Group sites where the work requires it.
Main duties
- Own the solution architecture for assigned projects and change initiatives.
- Assess solution designs across ERP, integration, data, security and operational requirements.
- Ensure interim solutions align with the future direction of our Group ERP and minimise unnecessary technical debt.
- Maintain clear documentation covering current and target architecture, integrations and system dependencies.
- Define and promote pragmatic architecture principles, patterns and standards.
- Support recovery design, resilience testing and remediation activities for critical systems.
- Govern data extraction and integration approaches that support ERP and data readiness.
- Review solution designs and technical deliverables provided by suppliers and third parties.
- Work with business and technical stakeholders to translate requirements and processes into viable solution options.
- Provide architectural assurance through change governance, ensuring key decisions, risks and dependencies are clearly understood and documented.
- Support the wider modernisation of our technology landscape while balancing immediate business needs with longer-term strategic objectives.
- Illustrative projects
Depending on your appointment date and programme timing, you may lead the technical solution design for work such as:
- Integrating an acquired business using an Order Wise ERP platform with a larger Group business running bespoke C# and Delphi ERP applications.
The focus is on designing back-to-back purchasing and end-to-end process integration rather than replacing either core system.
- Integrating new packing and sealing machinery into our principal UK warehouse, designing the solution across the business application, integration and PLC layers.
- Structuring value-add activity around an existing Dynamics 365 Finance ERP system, to support processes such as document management and accounts payable processing automation.
- Enabling modern mobile warehouse processes for one of our European business while retaining and integrating with its established COBOL- and Delphi-based core systems.
- Applying artificial intelligence to operational processes and data across a varied Group technology landscape, selecting practical solutions that can deliver measurable value.
About you
- Significant experience in solution architecture within complex, multi-system environments, with the breadth to work confidently across unfamiliar technologies.
- Experience delivering architecture across ERP, integration and legacy modernisation programmes.
- Strong knowledge of integration and data architecture.
- A good understanding of technical governance and architecture principles, patterns and standards.
- Able to assess solution options objectively, considering technical risks, dependencies, costs and longer-term implications.
- Comfortable moving between modern and legacy technologies, learning quickly and bringing structure to uncertain or initially ill-defined challenges.
- Comfortable working with business stakeholders, technical teams, suppliers and other third parties.
- Able to translate complex business requirements into clear and practical technical solutions.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts, options and risks to a range of audiences.
- Experience with enterprise applications such as Dynamics 365, Sage, Net Suite or other ERP platforms would be advantageous.
- Exposure to bespoke applications and technologies such as C#, Delphi or COBOL would also be beneficial.
- A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, with an architecture certification desirable.
What we offer
- Comprehensive employee discounts portal for shopping, gym memberships and days out
- Interest-free Smart Pay loan scheme
- Cycle2Work scheme
- 33 days' annual leave (including bank holidays)
- An extra day off for your birthday
- Company pension scheme
- Dental plan
- Company sick pay, life assurance and enhanced family leave
- Eye care vouchers
- Mental health support and virtual GP service
Who are DD Group?
DD Group is a leading provider of products, services and solutions to the dental and healthcare sectors.
We support customers across the UK and beyond, helping healthcare professionals run efficient, compliant and successful practices through an extensive range of products, equipment, digital solutions and specialist services.
Our people are at the heart of what we do, and by joining DD Group you'll become part of a business focused on delivering great service to our customers while continuing to invest in our people, technology and future growth.
Solutions Architect in Chelmsford employer: Dental Directory
At Dental Directory, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a supportive and flexible work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. Our Sales Executives enjoy a range of benefits, including a discretionary performance bonus and enhanced holiday entitlement, while also having access to mental health support services, ensuring a rewarding and balanced work experience in a dynamic industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solutions Architect in Chelmsford
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
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We think you need these skills to ace Solutions Architect in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at Dental Directory!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Solutions Architect at Dental Directory! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dental Directory
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that Dental Directory uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
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✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at Dental Directory that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest Dental Directory, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
