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- Tasks: Lead the architectural design of SAP platforms and drive digital transformation.
- Company: Join a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible location, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of SAP technology while making a positive impact on sustainability.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in SAP architecture and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic global environment with travel opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Reports to: Director Global SAP Platforms
Business Unit: IT Solutions - SAP
Role Type: Permanent - Global
Location: Location-agnostic (Mexico or Europe)
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE: SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. Our teams of materials scientists, packaging designers, engineers, and manufacturing experts are united by a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence, we use science and technology to advance fiber-based packaging solutions worldwide.
Our Technology organization is undergoing a major transformation. At the center of this transformation is the Global SAP Centre of Excellence (CoE), which drives SAP strategy, governance, and alignment with business objectives across the company. The CoE oversees the global SAP ecosystem, ensuring effective integration between technology and business processes while enabling innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
We are looking for forward-thinking technologists who can help strengthen foundational technology capabilities, reduce complexity, and accelerate digital transformation across our SAP landscape.
About The Role
The Architect Global SAP Platforms is responsible for defining and governing the technical architecture of Smurfit Westrock’s SAP platforms. This role ensures that SAP infrastructure, development standards, and platform capabilities are aligned with business requirements, enterprise architecture principles, and the company’s digital strategy. Working closely with architects across Platforms Delivery, Operations, Data, and Security, this role provides architectural guidance, drives technology standards, and ensures consistency and scalability across the global SAP ecosystem. The role operates within a global environment and is expected to travel approximately once per month to visit one of the Global SAP CoE hubs located in France or Mexico.
Key Responsibilities
- SAP Platforms Architecture
- Define and document SAP platforms architecture aligned with business and technology strategy.
- Establish architecture guidelines covering SAP infrastructure, cloud adoption, development standards, and technical roadmaps.
- Provide architectural guidance for platform development, upgrades, and enhancements.
- Ensure SAP platforms remain aligned with Smurfit Westrock’s digital strategy and the SAP product roadmap.
- Develop and maintain architecture documentation, blueprints, and technical standards across the SAP ecosystem.
- Architecture Governance
- Participate in governance bodies to ensure adherence to global architecture standards and policies.
- Conduct architecture reviews and technical assessments.
- Manage architectural escalations and resolve complex platform issues.
- Ensure scalability, performance, and security across SAP platforms.
- Mentor and guide distributed SAP architects globally.
- Technical Leadership & Collaboration
- Collaborate with Basis, Security, Data, and Technical Development architects to ensure stable SAP platform operations.
- Work closely with Product Architects, Solution Architects, Value Stream Leads, and Product Managers to ensure technical feasibility of SAP solutions.
- Align with the Chief SAP Architect to ensure consistency with the broader enterprise architecture.
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate and introduce emerging SAP technologies such as SAP BTP, AI, automation, and hyperscale capabilities.
- Promote DevOps and automation practices within SAP platform management.
- Support continuous improvement and modernization of the SAP technology landscape.
Organizational Context
The role is part of the SAP Platforms organization within the Global SAP CoE, which provides the technical foundation of the company’s SAP landscape. The team manages core SAP infrastructure across on-premise and cloud environments, including Basis administration, security, release management, data management, technical development, integration, and licensing. The SAP Platforms team ensures the performance, reliability, scalability, and compliance of the global SAP environment while supporting regulatory frameworks such as SOX and other enterprise standards. By maintaining a modern and scalable SAP technology stack, the team enables innovation and operational agility across the organization.
Qualifications & Experience
- 10+ years of experience in SAP platforms architecture, design, or technical leadership within complex SAP environments.
- 5+ years of experience in strategic or leadership roles.
- Deep expertise in SAP platforms, including S/4HANA, ECC, SAP BTP, cloud environments, and integrated SAP landscapes.
- Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale SAP solutions in complex organizations.
- Strong knowledge of SAP configuration, development frameworks, and architecture best practices.
- Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF and strategic SAP roadmap development.
- Familiarity with tools and methodologies such as SAP Solution Manager, SAP Cloud ALM, and Signavio.
- Solid understanding of governance and compliance frameworks such as COBIT, SOX, GDPR, NIST, and ISO 27001.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Fluent business English (written and verbal). Additional languages such as Spanish or French are a plus.
Architect Global SAP Platforms employer: Smurfit Kappa
Contact Detail:
Smurfit Kappa Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Architect Global SAP Platforms
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their SAP platforms and how they align with their business objectives. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience with SAP architecture and how it can benefit the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and eager to join our innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Architect Global SAP Platforms
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Architect Global SAP Platforms role. Highlight your experience with SAP platforms and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at Smurfit Westrock. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, don't forget to showcase your technical expertise in SAP architecture and related technologies. Mention specific tools and methodologies you've used, as this will help us understand your depth of knowledge.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you receive updates directly from us. Plus, it's super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smurfit Kappa
✨Know Your SAP Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SAP platforms, especially S/4HANA and ECC. Be ready to discuss how you've designed and implemented enterprise-scale SAP solutions in the past, as this will show your expertise and relevance to the role.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Smurfit Westrock's mission and values. Think about how your architectural decisions can align with their goals of innovation and sustainability. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a techie but also someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face some tough technical questions during the interview. Review architecture best practices and governance frameworks like TOGAF and COBIT. Being able to articulate your thought process and decision-making will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with various teams, so be prepared to discuss your experience in collaboration. Share examples of how you've worked with architects, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure successful SAP platform operations.