Solutions Architect

The purpose of this role is to create and implement high quality data, application and technology architectures that meets business needs and requirements. The role is accountable for architecting and designing comprehensive solutions of low to medium complexity within an assigned portfolio, and partners with key stakeholders (e.g. project managers, business analysts, etc.) to create solutions that are aligned to architecture and technology standards and principles.

Create architectures and designs for solutions that are aligned with business blueprints, non-functional requirements, delivery constraints, data, application and technology standards, and architecture standards:

• Analyse and ensure understanding of specific business requirements within assigned portfolios in the context of the current business environment and document the current technology landscape using easily understandable language and visualisation techniques.

• Keep up to date with current and future trends in Information Technology in the retail industry and provide insights into new developments in IT solutions for the retail industry.

• Create and execute logical and physical solution designs, using appropriate modelling techniques and methodologies.

• Research and propose suitable solution(s) and alternatives that address the assigned portfolio project/business needs or requirements as defined by the business, solution delivery and operations areas and engage senior solution architects to obtain agreement on solutions identified.

• Support and execute provision of assigned solution architectures aligned to the strategic direction of business, data, application, and technology architectures and maintain Shoprite’s enterprise architecture repository.

• Research and analyse solution architecture best practice trends and emerging technologies, determine the potential impact within an assigned area / portfolio, and work with the solution architects to determine feasibility.

Ensure solution architecture quality across large, multiple and complex projects and serve as the primary point of contact for solution design between the project team and the SDLC process:

• Execute the design, implementation and functioning of solutions in an assigned area/portfolio, partnering with the senior solution architects to define and develop appropriate solutions.

• Support the solution architects on all assigned projects.

• Work closely with Product Owners, Epic Owners, Functional Analysts and Scrum Masters to design and implement solutions.

• Provide technical support to development teams to design high-quality technical solutions that fit the solution architecture principles & standards during the detailed design, build, test and deploy phases.

• Review solution architecture deliverables throughout the system lifecycle of assigned projects for compliance to architecture principles and standards.

• Detect critical deficiencies in the current solution architecture of assigned projects and elevate for prompt action.

Define solution design standards and SDLC governance requirements:

• Support the development of frameworks, policies, procedures, and templates for Solution Architecture within an assigned area.

• Perform all solution design on low to medium complexity projects within solution architecture principles and framework and ensure quality compliance criteria are used to guide all related technology decisions.

• Support the development and setting of solution modelling standards and guidelines.

• Perform, deliver, and report on all assigned solutions architecture projects within defined metrics and performance standards across solution architecture processes.

• 3+ years Diploma/Degree in IS /
  
  B.Sc. Computer Science (or…