Solution Architect - Inventory Management

Role Overview

This is a hands-on architecture role responsible for defining and delivering solution designs across the retail supply chain, including procurement, supplier integration, inventory and stock management, warehousing, logistics, and distribution.

The focus is on scalable, standardised architectures that support high-volume operations, perishable inventory considerations, and complex supplier and concession models.

Solution Architecture

• Design end-to-end supply chain and inventory solutions covering supplier distribution centres retail outlets/central operations
• Define solutions supporting inventory life cycle management, including:
• Shelf-life and expiry tracking
• Batch/lot traceability
• Food safety and regulatory compliance requirements
• Produce and maintain solution architecture artefacts across assigned domains and workstreams
• Define target and transitional state architectures for supply chain capabilities

Governance & Standards

• Apply TOGAF-aligned architecture principles and contribute to enterprise architecture standards
• Ensure alignment with wider enterprise architecture and target operating model
• Define and enforce architecture patterns and guardrails across supply chain systems
• Provide architecture governance across delivery teams and external vendors

Delivery & Transformation

• Support ERP and supply chain transformation programmes (implementation and upgrades)
• Work closely with delivery teams to ensure solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements (scalability, security, resilience)
• Support vendor selection, RFP processes, and solution evaluations

Essential

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect or Domain Architect within supply chain and inventory environments
• Strong background in retail environments (multi-brand, high-volume, complex operations preferred)
• Experience designing or delivering inventory, stock, and warehouse management solutions
• Experience with ERP and supply chain platforms (eg SAP S/4HANA, SAP MM/WM/EWM, SAP IBP, Oracle, or similar)
• Experience working in complex, global enterprise environments
• TOGAF certified (or equivalent enterprise architecture framework experience)

Desirable

• Experience in food retail, food service, FMCG, or perishable supply chains