Solution Architect

Castore exists for one single reason to make athletes better. Our ethos is built upon the philosophy of BETTER NEVER STOPS an ideal deeply infused in our DNA and something we strive to live every single day. We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best. Designed with a passion for innovation with specialist features to help to optimise athletic performance in all conditions.

The founders vision is to build Castore into a brand respected across the globe for a deep and unrelenting commitment to engineering the highest quality sportswear in the world with no stone left unturned in its search for innovation and performance enhancement.

The sportswear market has been dominated by a small clique of massmarket brands and the vision is for Castore to be a premium alternative to these the natural brand of choice for discerning athletes who demand the very best.

The Role

The Solution Architect has responsibility for designing and implementing short and long term strategic goals for the management and maintenance of systems and software. It is the role of the Solution Architect to understand the entire IT estate and how it supports the various business operational areas. It is the role of the Solution Architect to ensure that all systems in place and that are planned are aligned with the goals of the business. The Solution Architect will design create and monitor the implementation of end to end integrated systems.

It is the goal of the Solution Architect to provide knowledge and expertise to others within IT and the business. It is expected that the Solutions Architect will conduct research on new technologies and approaches within their field of systems development and create and develop plans for investing in such systems and solutions.

The Solution Architect will fully understand the end to end business processes and systems that are being used to support those processes. The role will look to methods of continual improvement and development within IT.

Responsibilities

Understand and own the overall end to end solutions within IT that are supporting the business.

Ensure that maximum value is being derived from Castore implementation of NetSuite ERP

Provide strategic leadership on the future architectural roadmap.

Lead the creation of an Enterprise wide Enterprise Architecture model within the IT team.

Manage Systems Analysts within IT and manage any external Systems Analyst resource on any programmes and projects within IT.

Lead the work of the Design Authority across the IT team.

Work with the CTO to build the Architecture capability within the IT team.

Demonstrate continuous improvement at Castore by operating current and future applications in a way to utilise them to their full potential using standard functionality.

Drive the future architectural roadmap for both NetSuite and other solutions within the business.

Ensure knowledge of current trends in retail and retail systems is up to date and relevant to the Castore business. Apply varied thinking to potential systems solutions for Castore based on the business needs and best practice thinking.

Understand the Art of the Possible across the Castore organisation in each functional area.

Own and maintain all solutions documentation.

Own specifications for all approved change requests.

Take a lead role in working with the IT and business teams to ensure that handover from project status to BAU is achieved successfully.

Skills & Qualities

Experience of implementation and optimising functional exploitation of NetSuite in a retail omnichannel environment

Experience within a retail (ideally apparel) environment.

Experience developing strategic architecture plans.

Experience in system and network creation and development.

Can identify analyse and resolve system challenges.

Be familiar with a wide variety of systems and processes within the context of the retail environment.

Broad knowledge of the retail fashion industry from an ERP solution perspective.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Able to communicate to both IT teams in a technical way and business teams in an appropriate business language.

Able to write clear documentation either programme specifications or training documents.

Able to present information in an effective way and respond to questions from groups of managers users and peers.

Take a lead role within the IT leadership team providing industry solutions expertise technical knowledge and best practice.

What We Offer

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus scheme

25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

Modern city centre offices in Manchester

An opportunity to work with global sporting partners

Office breakout space with pool tables dart board and TVs

A chance to build a career with a fast paced high growth brand

Employee assistance programme

Generous staff discount