Solutions Architect

Tata Consultancy Services; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health care

Life assurance

Laptop

Phone

Training resources

Discounts within Tata network

Job summary

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) seeks a Solution Architect for Retail to design and implement strategic technology plans across global retail operations. You will lead enterprise-scale integrations, align IT solutions with merchandising and inventory goals, and collaborate with international teams to optimize the retail ecosystem.

With responsibility for scalable architectures, data analytics, and security, you will drive innovation while ensuring compliance with PCI-DSS and GDPR.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and leading enterprise-scale system integrations, ideally involving supply chains, planning platforms and ERP/retail systems (SAP).
• Solid understanding of data architecture, data quality, reconciliation, and performance in high-volume, business-critical integrations.
• Ability to lead technical design discussions, work with senior stakeholders, and drive decisions in a complex, multi-vendor environment.
• Demonstrable experience of working within a Retail environment.
• Good knowledge of Agile Product Management tools e.g. Jira & Jira Align.
• Excellent multi-tasking and strong communication skills.
• Experience shaping both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Experience of working with software platforms that support Buyers and Merchandisers.
• Awareness of different integration/message exchange patterns.
• Appreciation of a variety of architectural styles such as Microservices, Domains, Service Oriented Architectures, Event Driven Architectures, Client-Server Architectures, REST.

Responsibilities

• Develop and Implement Retailer International Technology Strategies: Design and execute comprehensive technology strategies aligned with retail business objectives, encompassing areas such as merchandising planning, assortment planning, inventory management systems, forecasting and replenishment, and e-commerce platforms.
• Architect Retail Technology Solutions: Lead the design and architecture of Technology solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of retail operations, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability across systems.
• Optimize Retail Infrastructure: Evaluate and optimize retail infrastructure, including networks, servers, and databases, to support efficient and reliable operations across multiple retail locations.
• Manage Retail Data and Analytics: Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of retail data to derive actionable insights for decision-making.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and translate them into IT solutions.
• Understanding on Retail Technology Trends: Keep in touch of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in retail IT.
• Ensure Compliance and Security: Establish and enforce security protocols, regulatory compliance standards, and data privacy policies.
• Provide Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to IT teams responsible for supporting retail operations.
• Working with Product vendors to design and develop solutions required for business requirements

Skills

Enterprise integrations

Supply chain integrations

ERP/Retail systems (SAP)

Data architecture

Stakeholder leadership

Agile / Jira tools

Multi-vendor collaboration

Retail domain experience

Communication skills

Architectural styles (microservices,SO

Tools

Jira Align

Job description

Role: Solution Architect – Retail

Job Type: Permanent

Location: London, UK / Hybrid

Number of hours: 40 hours per week – full time

Ready to utilize your experience and expertise in Solution Architecture?

We have an exciting role for you – Solution Architect

Careers at TCS: It means more TCS is a purpose-led transformation company, built on belief. We do not just help businesses to transform through technology. We support them in making a meaningful difference to the people and communities they serve - our clients include some of the biggest brands in the UK and worldwide. For you, it means more to make an impact that matters, through challenging projects which demand ambitious innovation and thought leadership.

• Build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Gain access to endless learning opportunities.
• Work closely with the range of teams within the business to bring products to life.

The Role As a Solution Architect you will be responsible for design and implementing strategic plans and frameworks aimed at Retailer International Global Supply Chain, Marketplace Expansion and Franchise integration. This role is crucial in ensuring that retail planning process are optimized, retail spaces are effectively utilized, merchandise is strategically positioned, and inventory levels are efficiently managed to meet customer demand while minimizing costs.

The Solution Architect collaborates with various stakeholders including international business teams, and supply chain professionals to develop and execute comprehensive plans that enhance the overall global retail experience and drive business success.

By analyzing market trends, consumer behavior, and sales data, the solution architect develops innovative solutions to enhance product visibility, improve space utilization, and streamline processes within retail environments. Ultimately, the goal of this role is to create an optimized and efficient retail ecosystem that delivers exceptional value to customers while achieving organizational objectives.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement Retailer International Technology Strategies: Design and execute comprehensive technology strategies aligned with retail business objectives, encompassing areas such as merchandising planning, assortment planning, inventory management systems, forecasting and replenishment, and e-commerce platforms.
• Architect Retail Technology Solutions: Lead the design and architecture of Technology solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of retail operations, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability across systems. This includes selecting appropriate hardware and software components and defining integration frameworks.
• Optimize Retail Infrastructure: Evaluate and optimize retail infrastructure, including networks, servers, and databases, to support efficient and reliable operations across multiple retail locations. Implement best practices for performance tuning, capacity planning, and disaster recovery.
• Manage Retail Data and Analytics: Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of retail data to derive actionable insights for decision-making. Develop data models and reporting frameworks to track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sales, inventory, customer behavior, and market trends.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with cross-functional teams such as merchandising, marketing, finance, and operations to understand business requirements and translate them into IT solutions. Foster collaboration and communication to ensure alignment and successful implementation of technology initiatives.
• Understanding on Retail Technology Trends: Keep in touch of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in retail IT, and assess their potential impact on business operations. Evaluate new tools and methodologies to drive innovation and competitive advantage in the retail space.
• Ensure Compliance and Security: Establish and enforce security protocols, regulatory compliance standards, and data privacy policies to protect sensitive retail information and ensure compliance with industry regulations such as PCI-DSS and GDPR. Conduct regular audits and risk assessments to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
• Provide Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to IT teams responsible for supporting retail operations. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development, encouraging team members to enhance their skills and expertise in retail technology.
• Working with Product vendors (i.e. BlueYonder, SAP, o9 Solutions, Oracle etc) to design and develop solutions required for business requirements

Your Profile Essential skills/knowledge/experience:

• Proven experience designing and leading enterprise-scale system integrations, ideally involving supply chains, planning platforms and ERP/retail systems (SAP).
• Solid understanding of data architecture, data quality, reconciliation, and performance in high-volume, business-critical integrations.
• Ability to lead technical design discussions, work with senior stakeholders, and drive decisions in a complex, multi-vendor environment.
• Demonstrable experience of working within a Retail environment.
• Good knowledge of Agile Product Management tools e.g. Jira & Jira Align.
• Excellent multi-tasking and strong communication skills.
• Experience shaping both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Experience of working with software platforms that support Buyers and Merchandisers.
• Awareness of different integration/message exchange patterns.
• Appreciation of a variety of architectural styles such as Microservices, Domains, Service Oriented Architectures, Event Driven Architectures, Client-Server Architectures, REST.

TCS is consistently voted a Top Employer in the UK and globally. Our competitive salary packages feature pension, health care, life assurance, laptop, phone, access to extensive training resources and discounts within the larger Tata network.

Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Tata Consultancy Services UK&I is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of all individuals in accordance with the UK Equality Act 2010 and the UK Human Rights Act 1998.

We believe in building and sustaining a culture of equity and belonging where everyone can thrive. Our diversity and inclusion motto is ‘Inclusion without Exception’. Our continued commitment to Culture and Diversity is reflected across our workforce implemented through equitable workplace policies and processes.

You’ll find a welcoming culture and many internal volunteering and social networks to join (these are optional). Our diversity, inclusion and social activities include 12 employee networks such as gender diversity, LGBTQIA+ & Allies, mental health, disability & neurodiversity inclusion and many more, as well as health & wellness initiatives and sports events and we sponsor the London Marathon.

We welcome and embrace diversity in race, nationality, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender identity, age, physical ability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation. We are a disability inclusive employer and encourage disabled people to apply for this role.