Enterprise Architect

Job Title: Enterprise Architect (Fast Moving Consumer Goods/Retail)

Job Description

This is a senior Enterprise Architect role within the IT function, responsible for establishing and leading the enterprise architecture discipline across a global clothing business. The position focuses on designing and governing a flexible, scalable, secure and well-structured application, data, integration and infrastructure landscape that supports the design, manufacture and sourcing of menswear, womenswear and footwear products, and their delivery through wholesale, E-commerce and retail channels. The role combines strategic vision, architectural depth, hands‑on capability and strong stakeholder engagement to guide the organisation through an ongoing period of transformation and growth.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Enterprise Architecture practice, defining clear principles, frameworks and governance processes.
• Define and document current-state and future-state enterprise architectures across business systems, data, integrations and infrastructure.
• Create and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps that align with business strategy and transformation initiatives.
• Chair the Enterprise Architecture Committee and govern architectural decisions to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Evaluate technology solutions and produce well-reasoned architectural recommendations for adoption or enhancement.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders and IT teams to align business requirements with architectural direction and standards.
• Provide architectural oversight and assurance for major IT initiatives and programmes.
• Define integration patterns, data flows and application interactions to ensure robust, scalable and secure integrations.
• Support key transformation programmes, including ERP, PIM, PLM, cloud, retail and E-commerce initiatives.
• Maintain comprehensive architectural documentation, standards and reference models.
• Act as a trusted advisor to IT and business leadership on technology strategy and architecture.
• Support vendor evaluation and RFP processes, including reviewing proposals and contributing to selection decisions.
• Promote consistency, standardisation and reuse across technology platforms and solutions.
• Coach and mentor delivery teams on architectural best practice and design principles.
• Positively contribute to the IT team ethos and working environment, supporting teamwork and collaboration.
• Participate in training and development activities deemed necessary for the role and adapt to new tasks, requests and business requirements.
• Act in a responsible and co-operative manner at all times, supporting a safe working environment for self and colleagues.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or an equivalent discipline.
• 15+ years of IT experience, including at least 5 years in architecture roles.
• Certified or proven experience in Enterprise Architecture.
• Experience working with a manufacturer of apparel, consumer goods or within a retail environment.
• Experience designing architectures for ERP, PIM, PLM, EDI, E-commerce and data platforms.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks.
• Deep ERP knowledge, with Infor M3 CloudSuite experience preferred.
• Strong technical understanding of integration systems such as Oracle SOA Suite, IBM WebSphere MQ and preferably MuleSoft.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at senior management level.
• Confident, pragmatic technology leadership style with sound judgement.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking capability.
• Experience working with both Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Enterprise Architecture certifications such as TOGAF.
• Cloud architecture certifications such as AWS or Azure Architecture.
• Experience with MuleSoft integration platforms.
• Experience with Salesforce or similar enterprise software platforms.
• Experience in assurance, governance and vendor management within IT.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships across business and IT teams.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training and professional development.
• Proven teamwork skills and adaptability to new tasks and evolving business requirements.
• General management skills, including leading and coaching architecture and delivery teams.

Location

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Rate/Salary

.00 GBP Yearly

#J-18808-Ljbffr…