IT Business Architect

Bekaert; Lisboa; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bekaert is seeking a Business Architect for Manufacturing Execution Systems (Apriso MES) to bridge business needs with IT solutions. You will define the MES roadmap, work with Product Owners and cross-functional teams, and ensure end-to-end integration with SAP and related platforms.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in manufacturing or industrial settings, strong knowledge of MES (Apriso), SAP, PLM, and a track record in digital transformation across global, matrixed organizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, IT, or related field (essential).
• 8+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in manufacturing or industrial environments (essential).
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and systems (essential).
• Experience in global, matrixed organizations and delivering large-scale digital transformation programs (essential).

Responsibilities

• Act as the link between business stakeholders and IT teams, translating requirements into functional and technical solutions.
• Define and maintain the vision, roadmap, and business architecture for the MES ecosystem (Apriso).
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and IT to align solutions with business priorities.
• Drive requirement gathering, prioritization, and solution design ensuring scalability and sustainability.
• Support delivery with Product Owners, Solution Architects, and Agile teams.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and tech-driven innovations.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Business-IT alignment

Requirements gathering

Solution architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field

Tools

Apriso MES

SAP

Quality Management

Plant Maintenance

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Job description

As the world and the way people live is changing, we at Bekaert believe it's our responsibility to contribute to finding new solutions for the future. With a 140+ year old heritage of excellence, innovation, and a future-focused mindset, we strive to create value for our customers and society. We aim to do this through innovative solutions and sustainable practices. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of steel wire transformation and coatings whilst also leveraging our expertise to develop innovative solutions with new materials and services in a safe, smart, and sustainable way. Our focus extends to markets such as new mobility, low-carbon construction, and green energy.

As a dynamic and growing company with over 19 000 employees worldwide, 75 nationalities, a retention rate above 90% and € 3,7 billion in combined revenue in 2025, we are looking for someone like you to join our team as we continue to shape a safer, more efficient, and connected world!

Purpose and Mission

Bekaert is driving a global digital transformation to improve operational performance, manufacturing efficiency, cost competitiveness, and customer experience. As part of this journey, we are leveraging Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), data analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize manufacturing operations across our global footprint.

As a Business Architect for Manufacturing Execution Systems (Apriso MES), you will bridge business and IT by translating manufacturing needs into scalable digital solutions. You will work closely with Product Owners, Solution Architects, and cross-functional teams to design, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing capabilities that support Bekaerts operational and strategic objectives.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

• Act as the link between business stakeholders and IT teams, translating business requirements into functional and technical solutions.
• Define and maintain the vision, roadmap, and business architecture for the Manufacturing Execution System (Apriso MES) ecosystem.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and IT teams to ensure solutions align with business priorities and long-term goals.
• Drive requirement gathering, prioritization, and solution design while ensuring scalability, usability, and sustainability.
• Support the delivery of manufacturing solutions by collaborating with Product Owners, Solution Architects, and Agile delivery teams.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and technology-driven innovation across manufacturing operations.
• Ensure end-to-end integration between MES, SAP, and related manufacturing platforms.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, facilitate decision-making, and resolve business or project escalations when required.
• Promote best practices in manufacturing processes, digital transformation, and solution architecture.

Previous Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. (essential)
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years within manufacturing or industrial operations environments. (essential)

Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and systems, including MES (preferably Apriso), SAP, Quality Management, Plant Maintenance, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). (essential)

• Experience operating within global, matrixed organizations, and demonstrated success in delivering large-scale manufacturing or digital transformation programs. (essential)
• Experience supporting products or platforms throughout their full lifecycle, from design through deployment and continuous improvement.