Enterprise Architect

Are you an experienced Enterprise Architect who thrives on solving complex legacy challenges, shaping core data landscapes, and co-creating high-impact retail architecture alongside Business and IT leadership? We are a leading discount retail organization in the Nordics, operating across Finland, Sweden and Denmark. We are embarking on a major strategic transformation to modernize our core technology footprint, deprecate legacy systems, and build an agile, decoupled platform for unified retail planning and we need a pragmatic, business-minded Enterprise Architect to anchor this journey. Sitting directly within our Strategy & Governance pillar and reporting directly to the CIO, you will serve as the primary strategic technology leader across our Nordic operating entities. You will bridge executive strategy with technical execution, guiding our target architecture across ERP modernization, core integration, assortment, dynamic pricing, demand forecasting, and automated replenishment. Your main responsibilities Strategic Architecture Leadership & Capability Mapping: Co-create, define, and execute the 3-to-5-year Target Enterprise Architecture and transition roadmaps across group operations in Finland and Sweden. Collaboratively develop the capability and application "As-Is" and "To-Be" target models. Roadmaps are built in continuous alignment with Business Directors, Business Owners, and supporting IT -function. ERP Modernization, Role Clarification & Legacy Sunsetting: Serve as an integral, active strategic driver in unifying our two distinct ERPs into a modern, simplified core setup in close partnership with Business Owners and IT Product Owners. Drive the Clean Core imperative by reducing complexity, consolidating legacy systems, and streamlining core business processes. A key mandate is clarifying functional boundaries and ensuring high-velocity operations (replenishment, pricing, campaigning, assortment) live in fit-for-purpose engines so the future ERP scope remains clean and simplified before it is built. Unified Retail Planning Architecture: Co-design fit-for-purpose, high-performance solution architectures for Assortment, Dynamic Pricing, Campaigning, Demand Forecasting, and Automated Replenishment (embedding practical AI/ML capabilities). Solutions are developed through constant dialogue with Commercial Directors, Business Owners, and IT Product Owners. Master Data & Integration Strategy (Governance & Advisory): Partner closely with our dedicated Master Data Management (MDM) Specialist (located within Application Services). While the MDM Specialist owns operational data governance, data quality execution, and domain data maintenance, the EA owns the overarching enterprise integration patterns, event architectures, and system-to-system boundary designs to ensure seamless cross-platform data flows. Pragmatic Technology Governance: Establish lean architecture guardrails embedded directly into our Demand Management process. Work in close collaboration with IT Product Owners and the Cybersecurity team to evaluate new tech demands and contribute to seeking solutions based on capability maps and facts and take part in vendor evaluations (RFPs) without creating bureaucratic delays. Enterprise Architecture Frameworks & Modeling: Apply structured Enterprise Architecture frameworks and utilize dedicated Enterprise Architecture tools to map capabilities, model target states, and document system integration patterns cleanly. Trusted Advisor to Business & IT: Act as a trusted advisor across business and IT, helping internal customers align technology decisions with strategic business goals. Work collaboratively with senior stakeholders to drive adoption and consumption of architectural standards in order to deliver exceptional business results. Serve as an active peer advisor to the IT Leadership Team (spanning Infra & Cyber Ops, End User Services, and Application Services) and CXO-level executives. What do we expect from you? We are seeking someone with deep, hands-on mastery in retail core systems and legacy ERP transformations, combined with broad structural fluency across supporting enterprise functions. Core Competencies & Experience: Solid Enterprise Architecture Background: Preferably 8+ years of relevant experience as a lead or principal Enterprise Architect within a retail organization. Proven Retail Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of retail supply chain operations, store POS mechanics, inventory management, replenishment logic, and promotional workflows. Legacy ERP & Clean Core Track Record: Hands-on experience clarifying ERP boundaries, driving the Clean Core imperative, decoupling core capabilities and consolidating ERP environments. Enterprise Design & Capability Planning: Proven expertise in Enterprise Design, Business Design, or Capability Planning; spesifically in collaboratively building "As-Is" and "To-Be" application/capability models. Frameworks & Modeling Tool Proficiency: Strong knowledge of Enterprise Architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, IAF, or similar) and hands-on modeling experience using dedicated Enterprise Architecture tools. Strong Business-Technology Alignment: Ability to bridge corporate business strategy with concrete IT execution, ensuring tech investments deliver tangible ROI. Strong Communication & Presentation Skills: Comfortable leading interactive workshops, presenting effectively across all levels from technical specialists to CXO-level audiences and confidently defending architectural insights and strategic recommendations. Language Fluency: Fluent in both Finnish and English (verbal and written), capable of operating seamlessly in local and international stakeholder environments across the Nordics TOGAF / ArchiMate Certification: Formal certification in recognized EA frameworks or modeling notations (e.g., TOGAF, ArchiMate) combined with a track record of adapting frameworks pragmatically to fast-paced business environments We also hope for: B