Solutions Architect - IT/OT (FTC)

2 year fixed term/secondment (for internal candidates) opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Solutions Architect - IT/OT to join our busy Group IT team on a 2 year fixed-term or, in the case of internal candidates, secondment basis. Based at Plumpton Park in Harrogate (with the option for hybrid working) the successful candidate will partner with manufacturing and distribution functions across our Bettys and Taylors businesses to align operational and IT strategies, leading the design and implementation of solutions to accelerate technical enablement. They will also work closely with the wider Technical Architecture team, influencing and supporting our Technical Architecture strategy and ultimately enabling Bettys & Taylors Group's strategic ambitions.
Your main responsibilities will include:
Business partnering manufacturing and distribution functions to gather requirements, influence strategy, manage escalations and report on performance;
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to influence the wider IT Strategy, Bettys and Taylors Architecture Vision and Group Change Portfolio, ensuring alignment to IT Product Roadmaps, best practice and agreed standards;
Collaborate with colleagues across the Group to exploit capabilities of existing technology, whilst designing new solutions and promoting the use of new technologies to drive value, reduce risk and frustration;
Engaging with third-party suppliers and partners to drive value and innovate, designing, implementing and evaluating proof of concepts;
Providing technical assessments for strategic and tactical requests for change across the group, working collaboratively with colleagues across the Group to balance user needs, technical complexity and cost;
Enabling the successful implementation and transitioning of solutions into service, ensuring knowledge is documented and shared to avoid single points of failure;
Ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities and SLAs across the IT/OT partnership to ensure robust and resilient services;
Leading disaster recovery planning, testing and training to ensure operational availability of systems;
Acting as 4th line technical escalation for operational services, providing Out Of Hours (OOH) support as and when required.
The ideal candidate will have:
Experience within an IT and Manufacturing role within food manufacturing;
Experience designing, implementing and supporting large scale, complex solutions, with detailed working knowledge IT/OT solutions;
Strong understanding of systems integration and technical standards of interoperability;
Excellent communication skills; able to listen, understand, interpret and communicate non-technical and technical information to a wide range of audiences;
Sound planning and organisational skills, able to set timescales, manage expectations and organise resources to meet demands;
The ability to turn complex business problems/opportunities into optimal technical designs aligning technical requirements and organisational objectives;
Strong influencing and negotiation skills, able to make accurate and timely decisions, explaining clearly how a decision has been reached;
Current knowledge of new technologies, IT solutions and best practice including ISO27001 and ITIL;
Excellent skills in collaborative working and establishing key stakeholder relationships.
A full role profile, detailing all of our essential criteria, is available upon request.
What we offer you
As a minimum, all our employees receive free meals, drinks and snacks while at work, a discretionary quarterly profit-share bonus, holiday allowance with the option to buy and (in some cases) sell additional days, company-wide employee discounts, access to our health cash plan, wellbeing support, company funded counselling, and enrolment in the company pension.
We also offer a range of development opportunities no matter your role and ambitions. We encourage everyone to explore what makes them the best version of themselves, and we do this through external training programmes, apprenticeships and internal 1:1 coaching schemes.
Great People, Great Culture
We are Bettys & Taylors Group. Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands - Yorkshire Tea, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate. Together we share a passion for quality, service and doing things properly. We are driven by our purpose and our values, and we believe our people are what set us apart. We welcome applications from all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences and we are committed to offering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.
Click here to learn more about life at Bettys & Taylors Group.
To apply for this role you will be required to submit a CV and cover letter.
The closing date for this vacancy is
19th May 2024.