IT Architect - Merchandising Solutions
Associated Wholesale Grocers · Kansas City
Sr Solution Engineer
Location: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS 66106
Work Model: Hybrid
Department: Information Technology
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JOB SUMMARY
AWG is in search of an IT Architect - Merchandising Solutions to support our strategic, business-transformation projects. This person will be skilled across platforms, legacy to Cloud. Their background and experience need to include software development, package configuration, system integration, solution deployment, and support. This role assists with the prioritization of needs and serves as a liaison between AWG employees, vendors, and retailers that use AWG’s enterprise systems and applications. This role will work closely with leadership and internal customers as we enhance and support AWG’s technology to modernize, upgrade, and replace legacy software applications. They will lead the development and implementation of cloud-applications and vendor packages, migrate existing on-premises applications to the cloud, and debug cloud stack, using business process understanding, appreciation for simplicity and quality, critical thinking, and determination to deliver solutions that exceed business and technology objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Application Management & Support (50%)
- Serve as the subject matter expert for the design, implementation, configuration, and support of cloud-based applications and vendor solutions.
- Lead testing activities, including test strategy, test plan development, script creation, and execution.
- Support and maintain cloud security controls, including encryption, access management, monitoring, and compliance requirements.
- Monitor application performance and availability, troubleshoot issues, and implement solutions that optimize reliability and cost-effectiveness.
- Conduct technical solution reviews and recommend improvements to system adoption, functionality, and overall performance.
- Support the full application lifecycle, including enhancements, upgrades, implementations, integrations, and ongoing maintenance.
Business Partnership & Communication (25%)
- Partner with business stakeholders to understand operational needs, business challenges, and desired outcomes.
- Collaborate with technology teams and end users to configure and deliver cloud-based solutions that support business objectives.
- Communicate project priorities, risks, and recommendations to technology teams and business leaders.
- Provide timely and effective status updates, issue management, and communications to cross-functional teams and leadership.
Vendor Management (25%)
- Assist in the evaluation, selection, implementation, and ongoing support of enterprise software solutions.
- Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure effective support, product knowledge, roadmap visibility, and issue resolution.
- Coordinate and drive resolution of application issues requiring vendor engagement.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
- Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Eight (8) to twelve (12) years of progressive experience supporting enterprise applications and technology solutions.
- Experience working within structured development environments utilizing code review and deployment/promotion processes.
- Strong understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, implementation, and support using Agile and/or Waterfall methodologies.
- Experience implementing and supporting cloud-based solutions and applying cloud best practices.
- Experience supporting business operations in one or more industries, preferably grocery, retail, wholesale distribution, warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, or supply chain environments.
- Experience implementing, upgrading, or supporting enterprise applications, including ERP, payroll, warehouse management, distribution, operations, reporting, or manufacturing systems.
- Experience designing and supporting system integrations utilizing APIs, web services, middleware, and data exchange technologies.
- Experience monitoring and optimizing cloud environments to ensure performance, availability, security, and cost efficiency.
- Experience supporting security controls, including encryption, access management, auditing, and compliance activities.
- Experience leading or participating in technical solution reviews and driving adoption of technology solutions.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience working within a multi-team Information Technology organization.
- Demonstrated success performing the responsibilities outlined above.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong knowledge of SDLC practices within medium to large IT organizations.
- Experience with Java, CAWA scheduling, and CLEO/Harmony (FTP/SFTP) solutions.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of application development or coding experience.
- Five (5) to eight (8) years of enterprise application support experience.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of experience implementing, upgrading, or enhancing large-scale enterprise applications.
- Self-motivated, organized, and adaptable in a rapidly evolving technology environment.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies.
- Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and build collaborative relationships.
- Experience with ERP systems and retail technologies such as POS, pricing, promotions, logistics, routing, forecasting, demand planning, and RELEX solutions is preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to work effectively in an office environment with varying noise levels.
- Regular use of standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, printers, and related technology.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information presented on computer screens, reports, and other business documents.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, video conference, and electronic communications.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and other repetitive hand movements.
- Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of materials weighing up to 10 pounds.
- Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout the workday as needed to perform job responsibilities.
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2025 were $12.2 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit AWGinc.com.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
- 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D
- Employee Assistance Program
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Wellness Program
- Yearly Holiday Bonus
*The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individual(s) assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of individual(s) in this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
AWG is in search of an IT Architect - Merchandising Solutions to support our strategic, business-transformation projects. This person will be skilled across platforms, legacy to Cloud. Their background and experience need to include software development, package configuration, system integration, solution deployment, and support. This role assists with the prioritization of needs and serves as a liaison between AWG employees, vendors, and retailers that use AWG’s enterprise systems and applications. This role will work closely with leadership and internal customers as we enhance and support AWG’s technology to modernize, upgrade, and replace legacy software applications. They will lead the development and implementation of cloud-applications and vendor packages, migrate existing on-premises applications to the cloud, and debug cloud stack, using business process understanding, appreciation for simplicity and quality, critical thinking, and determination to deliver solutions.More jobs at Associated Wholesale Grocers · Retail & Store jobs in Kansas City, KS