Primary responsibility of the architect is to work within the A&F IT and business community to ensure systems are architected utilizing industry best practices, and within the guidelines set forth by A&F. 

Support Full System/Solutions architecture needs for Core Merchandising Upgrade work, inclusive of solution discovery and planning for moving custom capabilities into other systems if required.  Solutions Architects work to create options, macro level designs and solve large enterprise problems within our enterprise.  Person should be savvy in working with 3rd party partners to deliver the capability and strive to get us to a zero-customization goal for our Oracle RMS to Oracle MFCS project.  This individual should bring a high level of industry and platform expertise to offer best practices and support new ways of working for our teams. Facilitate design patterns which support reuse, test driven development, and simplification of software packages within the organization.  Work with local (specific platform) architects and other enterprise architects to design solutions which meet enterprise standards inclusive of integration standards, and drive to the next.   

Additionally, the architect will be responsible for understanding emerging IT architectures for microservices, and DevOps pipelines to make recommendations for incorporating appropriate emerging architectures into future A&F roadmaps

What Will You Be Doing? 

• Establish North Star Vision of technology landscape with area leaders of Product Facing (Core Merchandising) applications and infrastructure to the new vision 
• Work with Project Portfolio Management team and business stakeholders to conceptualize projects, estimate new work, create overarching solution design, and ensure both business and technical goals are met with the estimates 
• Oversee solutions design in the space of Product Facing systems for project delivery efforts.  Advise on steps to achieve modernization goals 
• Identify risks and dependencies and collaborate with architects, developers and business stakeholders to eliminate or reduce technical debt across the portfolio 
• Team up with the functional business leaders in Planning, Allocation, Wholesale, and IT to line up the business and technical roadmaps to ensure the most effective and efficient value and speed prioritization 
• Develop a strategic executable roadmap of evolution of the Product Facing Systems portfolio considering strategic business and IT vision 
• Develop, train, and mentor other application architects both through project work and/or POC work for solutions design.  This includes regular technical updates to the team, informal and formal training sessions, 1-1 coaching and managing a team of 5+ architects.
• Serve as an advanced technical leader and as such, a role model both technically and behaviorally 
• Drive and Document architectural standards and design patterns for reference in decision-making, development and building practices.  Ensure leverage and use of the architectural practices, DevOps and other standards are built into future and existing projects. 
• Perform market assessments on new technology tools to understand capability differences amongst providers and ensure alignment with A&F architectural and security standards. 
• Partner with the Infrastructure and Security teams on concept work, DevOps, solutions design, and transformation efforts to ensure proper scope, resources and costs allocated for needs. 
• Support Application Rationalization efforts to simplify application landscape and standardize modern technology.   
• Lead and/or participate on technical user groups, task forces, and committees that are relevant to architecture. 
• Responsible for continually growing their skills and knowledge. 
• Perform related duties as assigned. 

What Do You Need To Bring? 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field and 15+ years experience in various roles of technical leadership within a large-scale organization 
• Oracle RMS or Oracle Retail Merchandising Foundation Cloud Service/Merchandising System experience highly preferred   
• Technical skills to include integration of Oracle Retail Merchandising Foundation Cloud Service platform with other related systems
• Experience with Oracle Cloud and/or Azure technologies 
• Experience building microservices, and SwaggerHub is a plus
• Experience creating blueprints, and solutions design documents for enterprise-level projects.
• Must have a strong business architecture perspective.
• A wide degree of creativity, efficiency, understanding of application design principles and demonstrable use of those principles in application architecture.
• Knowledge of Application design patterns, data modeling, service-oriented integration, business intelligence domains.
• Experience in architecting and designing scalable, secured, high performing, easily manageable business systems.
• Experience leading systems architecture and design sessions with members of applications and technology teams.
• Personal Attributes: Self-starter, Collaborative, Curious, Strong work ethic, Highly motivated, Team oriented 
• Proactive solution orientation with a drive to overcome obstacles 
• Exposure to multiple, diverse technical configurations, technologies, and processing environments 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation 
• Excellent analytical and technical skills 
• Excellent planning and organizational skills

Our Company 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global retailer of five iconic, omnichannel lifestyle brands catering to the kid through millennial customer: Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister, Gilly Hicks and Social Tourist. At A&F Co., we’re here for our associates, customers and communities on the journey to being and becoming who they are – and because no journey is the same, we strive to create an inclusive culture, where everyone is free to share ideas.  

Our Values 

We lead with purpose and always put our people first, which is evidenced by our Great Place to Work™ Certification, as well as being a 2021 recipient of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Retail, and named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign for 16 consecutive years. We’re proud to offer equitable compensation and benefits, including flexibility and competitive Paid Time Off, as well as education and engagement events, including various Associate Resource Groups, volunteer opportunities and additional time off to give back to our global communities.

What You'll Get

As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F is committed to providing simple, competitive, and comprehensive benefits that align with our Company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:  

• Incentive Bonus Program  
• Paid Time Off and Work From Anywhere Flexibility    
• Paid Volunteer Day per Year, allowing you to give back to your community 
• Merchandise Discount 
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Available 
• Life and Disability Insurance 
• Associate Assistance Program 
• Paid Parental and Adoption Leave 
• Access to Carrot to support your unique parenthood journey 
• Access to Headspace dedicated to creating healthier, happier lives from the inside out 
• 401(K) Savings Plan with Company Match 
• Opportunities for Career Advancement, we believe in promoting from within 
• A Global Team of People Who'll Celebrate you for Being YOU 

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Notice (For Colorado, New York, California and Washington): The recruiting pay range for this position is $175,000 - $208,000. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, your years of experience, your work location, comparison to other employees in similar or related roles, or market demands. The range may be modified in the future.