Principal Architect (Supply Chain)

ABOUT US
tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With more than 1,400 employees across 28 countries., we offer an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.
Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas.
Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.
WHAT MATTERS THE MOST
Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.
tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.
WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE
The Principal Architect will sit within our Category Management Technology team.
A Principal Architect - Supply Chain Technology includes leading the design of end-to-end supply chain technology solutions, from strategy to implementation, while aligning with business goals and enterprise architecture. Key responsibilities involve translating business needs into scalable technical architectures, guiding cross-functional teams, mentoring developers, and driving innovation through new technologies like microservices, cloud computing, and automation.
This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in supply chain systems and a strategic, hands-on approach to lead complex projects like automation, system integrations, and digital transformations. This role will focus primarily on digital ecosystem oversight, solution architecture, vendor and resource management.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION

• Strategic leadership: Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, influencing technology decisions to drive operational excellence and business value.

• Architectural design: Design the end-to-end architecture for supply chain systems (e.g., sourcing, logistics, planning, PLM) and ensure integration with the broader enterprise architecture.

• Technical guidance: Provide hands-on leadership, technical mentorship, and architectural guidance on design, best practices, and trade-offs to engineering teams.

• Technology adoption: Evaluate and recommend innovative technologies and solutions, including cloud services, microservices, and automation, to improve efficiency and scalability.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with various teams, including engineering, product, operations, and finance, to deliver robust and aligned solutions.

• Implementation and oversight: Oversee the implementation of major initiatives, such as warehouse automation or new system deployments, and ensure successful outcomes.

• Solution documentation: Create high-level and detailed design documents, blueprints, and visual diagrams to communicate solutions.

• Governance and best practices: Establish and enforce architectural standards, best practices, and governance frameworks for consistency and compliance.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Education: Bachelor of Science in IT, Engineering, Application Development, similar. Masters in IT or MBA preferred.

• Experience: 7-10+ years of experience in software architecture, with a significant portion in supply chain or related domains.

• Technical proficiency: Expertise in enterprise-level supply chain systems (e.g., SAP, ERPs, PLMs), along with modern architectural patterns like microservices, S2C, spec and cloud platforms (Azure, OTM, GTM, iValua, Specright, Centric, etc.).

• Domain knowledge: Deep understanding of supply chain operations, including areas like logistics, inventory management, and other SC processes.

• Strategic thinking: Ability to think strategically and translate business requirements into long-term, scalable technical solutions.

• Problem-solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex technical and business challenges.

• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead technical teams, mentor engineers, and influence decision-making across the organization.

Starting salary between $170-190k
TOTAL REWARDS
Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:

• Our commitment to rewarding results
• Opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers'-and our company's-success

There's more ...

• Generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits
• Paid parental and medical leave programs
• 401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing
• 15 days of paid time off plus company holidays
• Hybrid work model
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance
• Inclusive employee resource groups

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
RECRUITING AGENCIES
tms does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the tms Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, tms employees, or any other company location. tms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago