Solution Architect

For our client located in Turnhout, Belgium, we are currently looking for a Solution Architect.

Start: Asap
Duration: 1 year + extension
Work location: Turnhout
Project language: English

The Solution Architect is responsible for the definition and guidance of application architecture direction in alignment with business objectives. He/she ensures that new IT investments comply with agreed clients IT global standards. The successful candidate will have a generic applications design and integration background and is familiar with Enterprise Architecture at all levels. The candidate will have strong and broad knowledge of IT infrastructure as well as specific platforms, including factory systems (ex. CAMSTAR, Werum, LIMS/Labware, Empower and Wonderware) ERP-, CRM- and web-platforms.

Responsibilities:
* Develop relationships and become an information conduit between IT/SS engineering teams, BU/IT and enterprise architecture functions;
* Define and implement effective application architecture directions;
* Use and advocate the use of architecture and design best practices, methodologies, and procedures for optimized application delivery;
* Document current IT architecture and define the future state architecture based on identified solution gaps, and create the roadmaps to implement;
* Provide architecture and process advice, planning guidance, quality assurance, and guidance to all levels of organizations on project approach and solutions;
* Translate clients IAPP and Strategic Standards Board policies into IT solutions that meet or exceed BU/IT requirements;
* Decompose the opportunities into constituent application solutions, with re-usable components;
* Harvest intellectual property from engagements or solutions that can be developed into best practices for reuse;
* Identify new areas where business value can be generated by further standardizing and leveraging solutions across;
* Meet with technical and business leaders to identify and scope the business opportunities and identify potential risks and constraints.
* Evaluate new technology, processes and architectural trends and highlight possible business opportunities.
* Ensure that solutions leveraging third-party technology complement the "One I/T" and "Managing Out of Legacy" strategies;
* Maintain relationships with vendors to understand their application roadmaps;
* Build and maintain strong relationships with other architects within our client, in particular, those within BU/IT.

Education
Advanced degree in computing, engineering or a related field combined with at least 10 years of relevant experience. Post graduate degree in a business field strongly preferred.

Experience/Required skills
* Proven, demonstrable experience with the delivery of medium to large IT projects ($250,000 - $2.5MM)
* Demonstrable understanding of latest IT architecture, technology, solutions, and industry trends and the ability to explain this clearly, and sharing the knowledge easily
* Have experience with conceptual, logical and physical architecture designs.
* Ability to translate Business Architecture into a Technical Architecture.
* Enjoy constantly expanding one's knowledge base, and identifying and being able to form opinions on emerging trends and technologies.
* Understands that any given problem may have many good answers.
* Demonstrable ability to challenge teams and peers, and asks questions that compel further discussion.
* IT certification is a plus.
* ITIL V3 certification is a plus
* Conceptual thinker able to sell concepts to executive levels in the organization.
* Ability to act as a senior consultant when required, to provide technical and business process guidance, and differentiate between "must have" and "nice to have" project requirements.
* Excellent English verbal/written communication skills, and an ability to explain complex technical issues in a way that non-technical people can understand.Michael Bailey International is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.