Solution Architect Core Systems

Solution Architect Core Systems

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™ and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 130,000 Diverse Associates to act daily towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Job Description:

Pet Nutrition (PN) is the most vibrant category in the FMCG sector. As we work to transform this exciting category, a new program, Digital First, has been mobilized by the Mars Pet Nutrition (PN) leadership team. Digital First places pet parents at the center of all we do in Mars PN, while digitalizing a wide range of business process areas, and creating future fit capabilities to achieve ambitious targets in top line growth, earnings, and pet parent centricity. The Digital First agenda requires Digitizing at scale and requires you to demonstrate significant thought leadership, quality decision making, deep technical know-how, and an ability to navigate complex business challenges.

Are you passionate about optimizing and redesigning key systems and processes that run a multibillion dollar business and excited about how it can completely transform the way an organization efficiently and effectively manage its longer-term financial health & operational efficiency and effectiveness ? Do you have the strategic vision, technical expertise, and leadership skills to drive digital solutions? Do you want to work in a dynamic, fast-growing category? If so, you might be the ideal candidate for the role of Shepherd – Solution architect in the Enterprise Architecture function for Global Pet Nutrition (PN) at Mars.

The Shepherd - Solution Architect is a technical leadership role that oversees delivery of digital and data capabilities that are critical to the success of our Enterprise. This role is responsible for the architecture, design and optimization of key applications surrounding ERP, software engineering and the development of a number of key systems used by the supply chain and related associates for the multi-billion-dollar Pet Nutrition division. Reporting to the Head of Enterprise

Architecture, the person in this role will be a part of the Global PN Architecture of Tomorrow team. The role operates globally and partners with PN business and digital leaders across all functions.

'

This role is an incubation role (temporary) with an estimated end date of December 2026. The purpose is to fast-track and support the build of this specific product. At the completion of the product, a permanent BAU role will open to maintain and support the product: the role will be permanent and will have a different job description more suited to the need of the organisation at end state. If you are unable to secure the role by December 2026 you will be eligible for a separation package.'

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree or Equivalent (IT Degree preferred in particular computer science, data science or related field)
• Proven track record of working in an SAP S/4HANA RISE implementation program.
• Extensive experience in the application & solution architecture domain
• Knowledge of SAP S/4HANA functional domain and Line of Business (LoB) – knowledge of SAP Signavio is an added advantage
• Deep understanding of SAP BTP and SAP’s Cloud framework and strategy
• Proven track record of presenting solution options to design authorities and governance forums
• Proven track record to master new and emerging technologies.
• Successful experience, established over several years, to perform architecture leadership within a Technology environment.
• A strong customer centric mindset especially within an internal customer base with the purpose of driving adoption and use
• Strategic thinking, problem solving and innovation, with the ability to anticipate and navigate challenges and opportunities.
• Excellent in engaging with technical and functional leadership in a matrix organization.
• Ability to navigate complex matrix organisation.
• Motivational and thought leading.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Experience working in a multi-region business team with potentially conflicting needs/views and ability to navigate a complex organizational landscape
• Must be customer focused with demonstrated ability to form productive relationship including business & DT leaders
• Learning agility and desire to learn new technology and business

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Mars Principles: Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Strategy and Thought Leadership: Work with PN Digital Leadership & Shepherd program leadership to create and execute the Shepherd application strategy and roadmap for the Pet Nutrition segment, in alignment with the Pet Nutrition’s business strategic priorities and goals. Bring the "outside-In" by maintaining an external network of digital professionals to deliver value faster and build our capabilities of the future.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with Sales, logistics, manufacturing, engineering, Digital Leadership & Shepherd program team. You align with and support Enterprise architecture efforts in Mars Petcare, corporate Enterprise architecture(EA), Global delivery organisation(GDO), CISO teams.
• Architectural governance, review and assurance: you are accountable for effective and proportionate governance to approve or reject high level solution designs, solution architectures, other Technology services including granting waivers where justified. You ensure that critical Shepherd design decisions and issues escalated by delivery teams across PN Digital technology(DT) & business are reviewed and resolved promptly. You drive architectural governance, review and assurance in partnership with the Technology Leadership Team, PN/Petcare/Corporate EAs and colleagues in the wider Mars PN.
• Roadmap to achieve the target architecture: you are accountable for setting out a roadmap to move from the current state architecture to the target architecture for key applications, taking account of the change portfolio and expected future change plans. You will also consider Market Archetypes where appropriate to ensure relevant solutions are proposed and implemented.
• Work with development team: you are expected to work with development teams/Sis to guide and offer expert advice to ensure the application is built the highest standards and is in line with Mars PN EA architecture principles and above all, the solutions meet business requirements. Ensure comprehensive documentation, including solution architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and user guides are produced.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Disclaimer: Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request