IT System Specialist

Excellent opportunity as an IT System Senior Specialist at a well- established premium brand. Our client is aiming to expand their global business including EMEA, they are recruiting an IT System Specialist to proactively participate toward this mission.

The job holder is the strategic owner of their core EMEA enterprise business applications. He/She will be responsible for overseeing, optimizing, and future-proofing the end-to-end systems driving Retail, E-Commerce, Logistics (3PL), and Finance. This role focuses heavily on design, connectivity, and data integrity—not only within SAP environment but crucially outside of SAP, building seamless integrations between completely new, non-SAP digital applications and brick-and-mortar retail store systems. Acting as the critical bridge between business stakeholders, their global IT architecture teams (including Japan HQ), and third-party vendors, the job holder will ensure a secure, robust, API-first ecosystem capable of adopting tomorrow's applications.

Job descriptions:

1. Integration & Next-Gen API Architecture (Core Focus Area)

• Beyond-SAP Connectivity: Design, implement, and monitor robust, end-to-end integration streams between SAP and non-SAP applications, as well as direct integrations between independent non-SAP platforms (e-commerce, POS, CRM, and digital marketplaces).
• Future Application Readiness: Architect highly flexible data pathways to ensure the seamless onboarding of completely new, future-state applications and modern retail store systems into the brand's ecosystem.
• API-First Ecosystems: Enforce a modern, scalable, and maintainable API-driven architecture utilizing REST and SOAP protocols across all core business applications.
• Middleware & Data Flows: Actively monitor and optimize middleware layers (e.g., SAP CPI, custom integration layers, or modern API gateways) and troubleshoot complex cross-system process bottlenecks.

2. Enterprise System Security & Compliance (Non-Negotiable)

• Secure Integration Design: Ensure all data exchanges, API endpoints, webhooks, and third-party system connections adhere strictly to enterprise-grade security protocols (e.g., OAuth, tokenization, data encryption at rest and in transit).
• Risk Mitigation: Partner with security and compliance teams to safeguard sensitive customer data, retail payment transactions, and intellectual property across all interconnected digital and physical retail points.

3. Vendor Governance & SLA Management

• Strategic Vendor Relationship Management: Act as the primary technical manager for external software vendors, development agencies, and systems integration partners.
• SLA Formulation & Enforcement: Author, define, and implement comprehensive Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and escalation models. Hold external partners strictly accountable for delivery velocity, system uptime, and support quality.
• Logistics & Store Ops Alignment: Coordinate critical IT workflows and system handshakes with external Third-Party Logistics (3PL) warehouse operators and store support networks.

4. Business Systems Ownership & Process Automation

• Application Lifecycle Management: Take full operational ownership of the EMEA business applications landscape, striking a perfect balance between immediate system stability and forward-looking growth.
• Hyper-automation Delivery: Actively identify operational bottlenecks and implement intermediate automation tools/workflows to phase out manual files, fragmented spreadsheets, and siloed procedures.
• AI-Driven Efficiencies: Champion an "AI-first" culture within the team. Identify and pilot applied AI tools to turn raw data into operational efficiencies, demand insights, and smarter supply chain decision-making.

5. Testing & Continuous Improvement

• Deployment Quality Assurance: Direct System Integration Testing (SIT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) cycles to secure flawless cross-system readiness validation before go-live.
• Landscape Simplification: Continuously audit and simplify the application map, decommissioning legacy configurations to foster long-term scalability.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Networking, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience managing enterprise applications, IT infrastructure, and complex systems integration.
• Extensive experience directly within multi-site Retail, E-Commerce, Fashion, or Luxury/Hospitality landscapes.
• API & Integration Expertise: Deep, practical knowledge of building and managing API-based architectures (REST/SOAP). Proven capability in managing integrations outside of traditional ERP boundaries (App-to-App, App-to-Store, etc.).
• Security Mastery: Thorough understanding of modern cybersecurity practices, authentication frameworks, and secure network data routing.
• Vendor Governance Expert: Proven track record of selecting vendors, drafting technical SLAs, and managing external development partners to strict metrics.
• ERP Familiarity: Strong working or functional knowledge of SAP (S/4HANA, CAR, CPI) and standard supply chain processes (Order-to-Cash, inventory management).
• Hands-on exposure to digital commerce platforms (e.g., Magento / Adobe Commerce), digital wholesale marketplaces (e.g., Zalando), and premium retail POS engines (e.g., Cegid) (desirable)
• Familiarity with 3PL tech setups (e.g., CEVA Logistics environments).(desirable)
• Proficiency using modern ticketing and lifecycle tools like Jira and ServiceNow.

Conditions:

• Salary - £65-80,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Location – London (Hybrid working)
• Competitive benefits - Discretionary bonus, company pension, 25 days annual leave, Jubilee (gift/payment for long service)

For more information, please apply today!