Enterprise Applications / Solution Architecture Consultant

Enterprise Applications / Solution Architecture Consultant Location: UK (Hybrid) Contract: Interim / Consultancy Day Rate: Competitive Our client is embarking on a major business transformation following a series of acquisitions and is seeking an experienced Enterprise Applications / Solution Architecture Consultant to define the future technology landscape that will support its ambitious growth strategy. This is a strategic advisory assignment rather than a systems implementation or procurement role. The successful consultant will independently assess the current application landscape, challenge existing assumptions and recommend the optimal enterprise architecture to support a scalable, acquisition-led business.The Business Our client is a £100m manufacturing business created through the integration of multiple organisations, with ambitious plans to complete a further 6–13 acquisitions over the coming years. Their long-term objective is to build a business approaching £1bn in revenue through a combination of acquisition and organic growth. Operating across the UK with an expanding international footprint, the organisation requires a modern, scalable application landscape capable of supporting multi-entity operations, multiple warehouses, international trading, acquisitions and increasingly complex business processes.The Opportunity The business has completed a detailed review of its current operating model, identifying significant opportunities to improve efficiency across the organisation. A vendor briefing has been produced outlining the current challenges and proposed direction, but the client is looking for an experienced consultant to provide an independent assessment rather than simply validate the existing recommendations. You will work closely with senior stakeholders to review the current technology landscape, assess the suitability of existing and proposed applications, and define the optimal enterprise architecture to support the business over the next decade.Key Responsibilities • Review and critically assess the existing technology strategy and vendor briefing. • Evaluate the current enterprise application landscape and identify opportunities for simplification and improvement. • Define the target enterprise architecture across the end-to-end quote-to-cash process and wider business operations. • Recommend the optimal technology stack across: • ERP • CRM • CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) • Customer Portals • Integration Platforms • Supporting Enterprise Applications • Advise which applications should be retained, replaced or introduced. • Design a scalable architecture capable of supporting rapid acquisition integration and future international growth. • Ensure the proposed solution improves automation, data quality, reporting, governance and operational efficiency. • Provide independent technology recommendations based on market best practice rather than vendor preference.Current Technology Landscape The organisation currently operates a number of enterprise applications including: • Epicor • Sage 200 • Orderwise • HubSpot CRM • GoldVision • Smartsheets • InspHire • Synpro Future technologies currently under consideration include: • Microsoft Dynamics 365 • NetSuite • Salesforce • DealHub CPQ • Other leading ERP, CRM and CPQ platformsBusiness Challenges The transformation programme is focused on addressing a number of key operational challenges, including: • Highly manual and fragmented quote-to-cash processes. • Multiple disconnected applications creating duplicate data and limited visibility. • Manual finance, procurement and reporting activities. • Inconsistent product and customer master data. • Limited integration between sales, procurement, operations and finance. • Complex acquisition integration requirements. • A need for a scalable technology platform capable of supporting significant future growth.About You We're looking for an experienced Enterprise Architect, Solution Architect or Enterprise Applications Consultant with a proven track record of designing enterprise technology strategies for organisations undergoing significant transformation. You'll bring: • Extensive experience defining enterprise application strategies and target architectures. • Strong knowledge of modern ERP, CRM and CPQ platforms. • Experience with technologies such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, Epicor or similar enterprise platforms. • A strong understanding of enterprise integration and end-to-end business processes, particularly quote-to-cash. • Experience supporting ERP strategy, enterprise transformation or acquisition-led growth programmes. • The ability to challenge existing thinking and provide pragmatic, vendor-independent technology recommendations. • Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience advising senior business and technology leaders.