In IKEA we are on a journey to transform our operating model. One way to ensure long-term success and a fantastic partner, co-worker, and customer experience is to strengthen our Digital Product Management capabilities. We are establishing digital product teams across Inter IKEA, bringing business processes, people, data and technology together. A journey that needs passionate people who embrace change, dare to question, and want to make a difference. If that sounds like you, come and join us. Together we can do great things!

About the area  Operations Management works together with operations teams across Inter IKEA to lead and develop the overall IKEA operating model, and to enable strategic movements towards IKEA goals. It includes teams for business insights, capability and process development, strategy and roadmap, data and product, and technology and platforms.

The purpose of this position is to lead the development of strategic systems strategy and IT architecture (strategic blueprints, roadmaps, migration, application integration, standards and methods for Applications, Information and Technology), that enables the achievement of Inter Ikea Groups’ strategic and tactical plans. 

We currently have 3 openings within the current T&P Architecture Team for experienced Enterprise Architects within the below specialisms: You will be responsible for setting the future direction of these capabilities, outlining a roadmap that meets the strategic needs of Inter IKEA Group and working with the relevant teams to assure their delivery.

Enterprise Architect – Middleware & Data Platforms at Inter IKEA, where you will be instrumental in shaping and implementing our technology strategy, with a specific focus on middleware solutions and data platforms. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and optimize systems that enhance performance, scalability, and data management capabilities.

Enterprise Architect – Software Engineering at Inter IKEA, where you will be a key contributor to the strategic planning and execution of our software architecture. You will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing scalable, robust, and efficient software solutions, with a specific focus on testing methodologies and quality assurance practices.

Enterprise Architect – Network at Inter IKEA, where you will collaborate with the other key areas of the Inter IKEA Group to ensure that plans are based on the overall Strategy and Technology Architecture direction, defining new requirements, and driving innovative business processes and technical solutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Collaborate with IT leaders, other Enterprise Architects across business functions and across Inter Ikea Group, and leaders in the business to document IT capability requirements as part of on-going planning and governance.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into effective middleware and data platform solutions.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive technology architecture strategy aligned with organizational goals and objectives.
• Lead and guide teams in the design, implementation, and optimization of middleware components and data platforms.
• Define and implement best practices for middleware integration, ensuring seamless communication between diverse systems.
• Architect and implement data management solutions, ensuring the availability, security, and integrity of enterprise data.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies in middleware and data platforms, providing recommendations for adoption.
• Lead and guide the Software development team in adopting best practices and ensuring adherence to architectural standards.
• Oversee the design and implementation of software systems, ensuring they are scalable, secure, and maintainable.
• Define and implement testing strategies to ensure the quality and reliability of software applications.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular assessments of existing software architecture and propose enhancements or optimizations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of software solutions across the enterprise.
• Lead and guide the network delivery and operations team in adopting best practices and ensuring adherence to architectural standards.
• Oversee the design and implementation of network systems, ensuring they are scalable, secure, and maintainable.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular assessments of network architecture and propose enhancements or optimizations.
• Assess existing technology infrastructure regularly, proposing enhancements and optimizations to improve efficiency.
• Deliver Enterprise IT strategic roadmaps within the specific specialism (3+ years forward looking view) who are focused on technology capabilities for Business, Information (data) and Technology solutions.
• Ensure that roadmaps reflect invest/divest, retirement, and consolidation strategies for systems globally and that industry best practices and benchmarks are incorporated into deliverables.
• Partner with IT functions and their solution architects to design integrated IT solutions. (including the build vs. buy decision) that translate business capability requirements and adhere to established global IT technology standards (infrastructure, application, integration, data).
• Provide Architecture consulting to solution architects within delivery/execution teams (design, build/test, conversion/cutover) for business and technical projects across the globe.
• Provide analysis and recommendations, via benchmarks and external industry point of view, on enterprise department performance for “Run and Maintain”.
• Act as informal mentor and coach to Domain/Solution Architects within other IT teams.
• Work directly with external vendors and advisory agencies to bring relevant best practices to the Enterprise Architecture team.

- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering or related discipline/experience preferred
- Proficiency in relevant programming languages, scripting, and system integration tools.
- Well-versed in Enterprise Architecture, including network, data, application, system, integration and business architecture.
- TOGAF Certification or other architecture professional certification a plus

Experiences

• Proven experience as an Enterprise Architect with expertise in Middleware & Data Platforms, Software Engineering or Networking.
• In-depth knowledge of middleware technologies, data platforms, and integration patterns.
• Strong proficiency in relevant technologies, programming languages, and development frameworks.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and guide technical teams.
• Experience in creating and maintaining documentation for software architectures and designs.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound recommendations based on thorough analysis.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of technology directions, trends and strategic business impacts related to the retail industry.
• Experience leading systems implementations to a successful conclusion.
• Clear understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and project and business process management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills.
• Ability to serve as a change agent and influence business direction.
• Ability to work effectively in a global and matrixed environment.

This role is full-time (40 hours per week) and can be based in Delft, Netherlands or in Malmö, Sweden. This role sits in the Operations Management (T&P Architecture Team) and reports to the Architecture Manager.

Interested? Please send us your CV in English, by Sunday 17th February 2024.  

We always recruit based on values, competence, potential and diversity. We will prioritise co-workers employed in Inter IKEA Systems BV, Inter IKEA Services BV, Inter IKEA Systems Service AB and Inter IKEA Technology Services AB provided competence requirements are met for the roles, starting with the ones whose position cease to exist.

At IKEA, we do things a little differently. We think differently, act differently and work differently as well. We like to break things. Like rules. And then make things. Like music-playing lamps. And beds disguised as sofas. Even plantballs that help us look after our planet. It’s all part of our vision - to create a better everyday life for the many. And it’s been keeping our co-workers going for over 75 years. By 2030, we hope to help millions more look forward to going home. Maybe you can help us?

We want to become an even more affordable, sustainable and accessible home furnishing retailer in an omni-channel reality. We bring business and data & technology together to improve how we work and meet customers, and enable us to focus on creating value. So we can continuously improve and scale IKEA, together with our partners and the many people.