Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Sr. Manager, Lead Solutions Architect, Global Supply Chain Technologies Job in Burlington, VT

Although we're an apparel and footwear-focused company, technology is central to everything we do. Columbia Sportswears Digital Technology (CDT) teams enable an IT infrastructure across four global brands, a global supply chain, and 500+ geographically dispersed stores. These teams support in-store, mobile, and data platforms to enhance customer interface and service in an ever-evolving industry.The Sr. Manager, Lead Solutions Architect, Global Supply Chain Technologies, is a management role in the Global Information Services group. The position serves as a strategic partner with the Manufacturing, Supply Chain Operations, and Global Distribution business units. This roles main responsibility is to assist product and project teams with their short- and long-term solution architecture and environment vision. The position requires a subject matter expert in SAP Retail functional areas of Materials Management (MM) and Sales and Distribution (SD). The Sr. Manager, Lead Solutions Architect is expected to continuously maintain and develop the necessary skillsets, both technical and analytical, to enhance business solutions within the IT architecture. They will also provide business value by evaluating and overseeing the functionality of enterprise applications and technologies and ensuring that it aligns with the overall solution direction.An ideal candidate has experience developing and running large technology-enabled supply chain programs with a terrific reputation for delighting customers and driving complex technical initiatives. They should also be a self-starter who is prepared to develop and execute against an industry product plan and consistently deliver on strategic goals and milestones. The Sr. Manager, Lead Solutions Architect will be an exceptionally strong analytical thinker who has a track record of systems-level problem solving and developing successful strategic plans to execute in highly ambiguous and innovative problem spaces. They will thrive in fast-paced dynamic environments and have very strong communication and presentation skills.The Sr. Manager, Lead Solutions Architect, Global Supply Chain Technologies requires a proven leader who can manage multiple teams that are supporting the current business applications and drive new solutions as Columbia Sportswear Company moves forward in expanding its Global Omni-Channel business capabilities.

Perform hands-on solution design, solution architecture, architecture roadmaps, prototyping, proof-of-concepts, and development tasks as required in support of projects and products as requested.
Provide solution architecture for projects and products that are focused on processes, systems, applications, and technologies in areas such as Forecasting, Replenishment, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, Sourcing, Procurement, and Logistics.
Ensure solutions are scalable and meet overall business requirements.
Ability to immerse in a function or technology to develop an intermediate level of proficiency in a relatively short amount of time.
Be recognized as both functionally and technically advanced in the SAP Retail/Supply Chain product space.
Learn to develop clear options, measures of performance, and assessments for solution architecture to the project and product teams as required.
Document and proficiently explain complex architecture to technical and functional peers and as needed, to other levels of the organization.
Participate in Solution Architecture reviews with program and product teams prior to design and development activities and ensure the solution is scalable, is aligned with internal product roadmaps, and meets the business requirements.
Participate in subsequent reviews of agreed architecture at critical project phases.
Mentor additional team resources as necessary.
Ability to influence peers and leadership stakeholders.
Ability to support the translation of business needs into solution architecture requirements, application of multiple technical solutions to business problems, and estimation of the financial impact of solution architecture alternatives.
Ability to comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies.
Ability to stay at the forefront of new and/or upcoming Supply Chain solutions in order to drive the future solution roadmap for IT Product Systems.
Work with leadership in prioritizing work requests from a strategic perspective.
Complete work in a timely and accurate manner while providing exceptional customer service.
Other duties as assigned.


Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Computer Science, or an equivalent field. Masters degree preferred. Relevant work experience in lieu of degree may be considered
6+ years of experience in an SAP architecture role.
10+ years of experience with systems process design and improvement; experience in developing integrated solutions involving process, data, and technology.
5+ years of experience in Apparel and Footwear preferred
SAP certifications are preferred.
Expert level knowledge of SAP and Supply Chain business processes.
Expert level SAP application knowledge in MM and/or SD modules.
Advanced knowledge of SAP integration points for transactional and master data.
Experience in developing integrated solutions involving process, data, and technology.
Understand key business processes and systems employed by the business
Experience in defining new architectures and ability to drive an independent project from an architectural standpoint.
Experience working in an Agile environment
Demonstrates a Product Mindset
Ability to positively influence people at all levels in the organization
Excellent organizational and presentation skills and attention to detail required. Mental ability to conduct interpersonal interactions with senior management, vendors and other employees. Ability to operate independently and follow general guidelines
Highly developed analytical skills are required for this position as well as an ability to convey these thoughts verbally
Strong conceptual, strategic thinking, problem-solving, technical, and analytical skills.
Leadership and interpersonal skills including teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation.
The ability to build strong working relationships with technology stakeholders, senior business leaders, and key vendor partners
Ability to work independently and in a team is vital.
Proven ability to work efficiently and accurately under pressure, meet deadlines and present a professional demeanor is essential.
Proven ability to respond to different organizational situations while maintaining a positive and friendly attitude is necessary.
In addition, organizational and problem-solving skills, a can-do attitude, and the ability to adjust to changing requirements are essential.
Maintaining confidentiality, treating others with respect, and upholding Company values are key attributes
Experience & thought leadership with the following functional / systems areas are preferred:Enterprise Resource Planning [SAP]
Distributed Order Management [Sterling or Manhattan]
Global Distribution and Warehouse Management Systems [Manhattan WM]
Global Distribution Labor Management [Manhattan Labor Management]
Warehouse Controls System [Aveva / Wonderware & Rockwell Automation
Realtime Operational Reporting / Analytics [SAP Business Intelligence, MS Power BI]
Multi-Enterprise Global Supply Chain Business Network [Infor Nexus]
Transportation Management Systems [MercuryGate]
Intelligent / Robotic Process Automa