Senior Business Architect - MES

Bekaert NV; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bekaert is seeking a Business Architect – Manufacturing Systems to shape and govern end-to-end manufacturing processes and IT architecture across plants worldwide.

You will bridge business needs with IT capabilities, drive standardization, and lead transformations in MES, SAP, and connected manufacturing technologies. A strategic, hands-on leader with 10+ years in manufacturing IT is ideal.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Manufacturing IT, Digital Manufacturing, or Manufacturing Systems.
• Strong end-to-end business and solution architecture experience in manufacturing.
• Proven MES delivery experience, ideally with DELMIA Apriso or similar.
• Deep knowledge of SAP manufacturing processes across Plan, Source, Make and Deliver.
• Experience with SAP-MES integrations, APIs, middleware, PLC, SCADA, IoT.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain end-to-end business processes and architecture for manufacturing and shopfloor operations.
• Align IT solutions with plant strategies and the digital manufacturing roadmap.
• Translate business capabilities into system requirements and technology solutions.
• Develop future-state architecture and transformation roadmaps for manufacturing systems.
• Drive process design and standardization across production planning, shopfloor execution, quality management, inventory, and material flow.
• Govern data flows and system integration between SAP, MES, and connected manufacturing technologies.
• Lead MES platform governance and drive fit-gap analysis and optimization for DELMIA Apriso.
• Partner with plant managers and IT to identify Industry 4.0 opportunities and transformation programs.
• Facilitate workshops, requirements sessions, and cross-functional programs.

Skills

Manufacturing IT

End-to-end architecture

Stakeholder management

Digital transformation

MES platforms

DELMIA Apriso

SAP manufacturing

Integration architecture

Tools

DELMIA Apriso

SAP

APIs / Middleware

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

At Bekaert, we are driving a global digital transformation to enhance operational excellence, improve manufacturing efficiency, and create seamless end-to-end business processes across our plants worldwide. As part of this journey, we are looking for a Business Architect – Manufacturing Systems to play a key leadership role in shaping the future of our manufacturing landscape.

In this role, you will bridge business processes and IT capabilities, defining and governing end-to-end business and system architecture across manufacturing operations. You will work closely with manufacturing leaders, operations stakeholders, and IT teams to drive innovation, standardization, and digital transformation initiatives across the enterprise.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

• Define and maintain end-to-end business processes and architecture for manufacturing and shopfloor operations.
• Align IT solutions with business objectives, plant strategies, and the digital manufacturing roadmap.
• Translate business capabilities into system requirements, architecture, and technology solutions.
• Develop future-state architecture and transformation roadmaps for manufacturing systems.
• Drive process design and standardization across production planning, shopfloor execution, quality management, inventory, and material flow.
• Govern data flows and system integration between SAP, MES, and connected manufacturing technologies.
• Act as the business architecture lead for MES platforms, particularly DELMIA Apriso, driving fit-gap analysis, feature definition, and process optimization.
• Partner with plant managers, production leaders, and quality teams to identify digital transformation opportunities and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Lead solution governance, ensuring alignment between business processes, system architecture, and technology standards.
• Facilitate workshops, requirement gathering sessions, and cross-functional transformation programs.

Previous Experience

• 10+ years of experience in Manufacturing IT, Digital Manufacturing, or Manufacturing Systems.
• Strong background in end-to-end Business Architecture and Solution Architecture within manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience delivering MES solutions, ideally with DELMIA Apriso or similar platforms.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, production, quality, warehouse, and logistics processes.
• Solid knowledge of SAP manufacturing processes across Plan, Source, Make, and Deliver domains.
• Experience with SAP-MES integrations, APIs, middleware, PLC, SCADA, IoT, and enterprise integration architectures.
• Demonstrated success driving digital manufacturing transformation programs and process harmonization across multiple plants.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence both business and IT leaders in a global matrix organization.
• Strategic mindset combined with hands-on manufacturing systems expertise

Be bold and take the leap!

We're looking for individuals who are not afraid to take risks and explore new ideas. If you are passionate about personal growth and bringing your authentic self to work, we want you on our team!
At Bekaert, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.