Lead Architect – Supply Chain Job Vacancy in Hatfield, England, UK

“Ocado Technology, powering the future of retail through sustained disruptive technology innovation…”

Who are we?

Ocado Technology is putting the world’s retailers online using advanced artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, the cloud and IoT. We develop the innovative software and hardware systems that power the unique Ocado Smart Platform, a retail platform that is being implemented by retailers across the world from Europe to America, Asia and beyond. With everything from websites to highly automated warehouses that we design in-house, our employees are skilled specialists with expertise across a wide range of technologies, working on cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of our society.

We are a fast-growing company: today we have colleagues in 7 development centres across the UK and Europe, with offices open in London, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City (UK), Krakow, Wroclaw (Poland), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Barcelona (Spain), with a satellite office in Stockholm (Sweden). Our culture is a key part of our success, but don’t just take our word for it, do take a look at what our people are saying about us on Glassdoor.

What does the team do?

In Supply Chain, we pride ourselves on delivering software that is able to get the right product, to the right warehouse, at the right time. We do this by forecasting customer demand in each area, combining that with what has already been sold and apply the constraints our suppliers place on us, to generate the perfect Purchase Order to arrive at our Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). This means it arrives just in time for it to be picked in your order. If a product is not available, we make sure the customer is aware of our current stock levels through our availability engine. When something goes out of stock, the customer will see this in real time and will be directed to a suitable alternative.

What will I be doing?

As our Lead Architect in Supply Chain, you will be responsible for the overall architectural strategy of the systems in our department, to ensure that it is aligned with our company goals and international expansion plans.

You will be a technical authority among our Engineering teams, as they face the challenge of scaling our solutions, both for the existing Ocado business and for our future international customers.

You will work to understand the business objectives in order to be able to create a vision for the future direction of the architecture and help with its realisation.

You will be working predominantly with Supply Chain Technology teams to create a coherent architectural roadmap and to support teams with its realisation. You will be accountable for understanding product designs and spotting gaps or inconsistencies, making recommendations and supporting our teams, so that our solutions are implemented efficiently, securely and are built for scale.

• Play an integral part in Architectural strategy and design leadership
• Support the technology standards as defined by our CEngO
• Guide our technology selection
• Establish architectural and regulatory compliance policies and help with selection of technologies and strategies to deliver those policies (e.g. SOC2, GDPR)
• Work with teams to facilitate sharing of industry good practice, and the good practice for the Supply Chain department (and to resolve any inconsistencies between these)
• Work with technology Heads of Department on other technical initiatives, as required
• Work with technology Product Managers to help with the prioritisation of work in delivery of the architectural strategy
• Where appropriate, help us develop our long term vision of potential technologies and their possible applications
• Collaborate with our engineers to ensure the design of systems and applications results in highly available, scalable and reliable software products
• Advise stakeholders on architectures, patterns, and strategies for making best use of our smart platform
• Translate technical concepts and patterns into business benefits for management
• Mentor and support support the development of the wider team, such as senior level software engineers considering the move into architecture

You will also be asked to perform tasks as required by management deemed as a reasonable request.

What would make me stand out from the crowd?

• You actively share your passion for technology with the wider tech community
• You have delivered solutions at scale
• You can describe a complex things in simple ways
• You have excellent collaboration ideally demonstrated in a role which operates across a number of engineering teams alongside other senior stakeholders
• You have a proven track record of delivering on initiatives which cut across a number of concerns
• You have experience presenting to senior leadership
• You are happy to lead and work autonomously
• You are able to handle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Some knowledge of supply chain or replenishment technologies is a benefit but not essential

What do I get in return?

Our employee benefits are designed for you, we care about people and we’ve ensured we have a wealth of benefits that focus on your well-being. We can offer technically stretching work, a competitive salary and;

• Hybrid Working patterns (varies depending on your role/team)
• 30 days Work from Anywhere policy
• Wellbeing support through Apps such as Unmind and an Employee Assistance Programme
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
• Pension scheme (various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
• Private Medical Insurance
• 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete)
• Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free shuttle bus to and from Hatfield Train Station to the Hatfield offices
• Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn share schemes
• 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees
• Income Protection (can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3 x annual salary)

We also have regular divisional socials and sports clubs, not to mention the Ocado Technology Academy for a packed schedule of courses, conferences and events. If you think you have what it takes to make a difference, please submit your application below.

We’re in it together, we are proud of what we do, we can be even better

We welcome applicants from across the world. If your employment is subject to sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system, Ocado Group will only pay for the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship for you, including the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) if applicable. You will be responsible for the cost of your own visa application and the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)

Location

View location here: Hatfield and London

About Ocado Group

When our journey started, we were all about changing the way people shop for groceries. 20 years later, we’re developing our own ground breaking technology, opening multiple sites at an accelerating rate and engaging in exciting new business partnerships around the world!

Transforming an industry also means transforming the way we do business. As we continually develop new technologies and customer propositions, we’re looking for the Everyday Pioneers to lead us into the next stage of our evolution: enhancing our capabilities, inspiring our teams and developing new ways of working.

Changing the way the world shops, for good.

Be bold, be unique, be brilliant, be you. We are looking for individuality and we value diversity. We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly and equally. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and supportive work environment. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.

We are thrilled to welcome applicants from across the world. Whilst we are able to offer visa sponsorship, please note that we are only able to cover costs relating to the Certificate of Sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge only. For all employment offers made for UK roles, it is expected that you will be based in the UK in commutable distance, ready for your first day of work, so please keep this in mind. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Due to the energising nature of Ocado’s business, vacancy close dates, when stated, are indicative and may be subject to change so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you have applied and been rejected for this role in the last 6 months, or applied and been rejected for a role with a similar skill set, we will not re-evaluate you for this position. After 6 months, we will treat your application as a new one. All benefits information is subject to change and the terms of the individual arrangements.

Location

About Ocado Group

When our journey started, we were all about changing the way people shop for groceries. 20 years later, we’re developing our own ground breaking technology, opening multiple sites at an accelerating rate and engaging in exciting new business partnerships around the world!

Transforming an industry also means transforming the way we do business. As we continually develop new technologies and customer propositions, we’re looking for the Everyday Pioneers to lead us into the next stage of our evolution: enhancing our capabilities, inspiring our teams and developing new ways of working.

Changing the way the world shops, for good.