Role Overview
Reporting directly into the CTO, this role takes ownership of architecture across a broad and complex transformation landscape. On a daily basis, the role will define architectural standards, lead solution design and support platform selection across key initiatives including digital, ERP, POS and cloud migration. Weekly engagement will involve steering committees, stakeholder alignment and ensuring delivery remains consistent with long term architectural direction.
The role operates across both transformation and business as usual, with a strong emphasis on shaping future state architecture while remaining close to delivery. This includes defining integration patterns, overseeing middleware strategy and guiding cloud migration from on premises environments. The successful candidate will also play a key role in problem management, stepping into critical issues and ensuring solutions are designed and executed effectively.
With no established architecture function in place, this role is responsible for building capability from the ground up. This includes establishing governance frameworks, defining ways of working and creating a clear architectural blueprint for the organisation. The impact of this role will be significant, influencing technology decisions that underpin customer experience, operational efficiency and long term scalability across the region.
Responsibilities
- Establish and lead the architecture function including governance, standards and ways of working
- Define current state and future state architecture across multiple regions
- Lead architecture design across major transformation initiatives including digital, ERP and POS
- Drive platform selection through options analysis and business case development
- Own integration architecture and middleware strategy across systems
- Develop and execute cloud migration strategy from on premises environments
- Partner with senior stakeholders to align technology decisions with business outcomes
- Contribute to steering committees to ensure delivery aligns with architecture vision
- Support BAU through problem management and solution design for critical incidents
- Collaborate closely with infrastructure, cyber and digital teams on end to end solutions
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate brings deep experience within retail or FMCG environments and has operated in a senior architecture leadership capacity where they have owned and defined architectural strategy. They are comfortable acting as the sole architecture authority, influencing senior stakeholders and translating complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes. A strong understanding of retail platforms including POS, eCommerce, ERP and supply chain systems is essential.
They are highly pragmatic and commercially aware, with the ability to balance long term architectural vision with immediate delivery requirements. Rather than operating purely at a strategic level, they remain close to execution, ensuring that solutions are practical, cost effective and aligned to business priorities. Experience across cloud migration, integration architecture and enterprise platforms will be critical in driving success.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, particularly in environments where influence must be achieved without direct team ownership. The successful candidate will be credible at executive level, able to operate across global teams and demonstrate a consistent track record of seeing initiatives through to completion. A mindset focused on outcomes, ownership and continuous improvement will underpin long term success in the role.
Company, Culture & Benefits
This organisation is a globally recognised retail business experiencing strong growth and investing heavily in technology transformation. The culture is fast paced, commercially driven and focused on outcomes, offering significant exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to shape long term strategy.
- Build something from the ground up in a high impact leadership role
- Sole architecture authority with direct C Suite influence where your voice shapes decisions
- Be part of a major transformation programme with real investment
Apply
If this sounds like you, please send your resume by clicking the “apply” link below. The reference number for this role is DJ71212. Please allow for 3 - 5 working days for us to process all the applications. All applicants will receive feedback from us, either via email or a telephone call.