Application Architect - Hawthorn East

We've been trusted to serve Aussie communities since 1914 and grown to become a top 30-listed on the ASX with 120,000 team members and a portfolio of iconic brands. At Coles Group, you'll not only get to make a difference to millions of Aussie lives—you'll also get to see your impact.

About the team

Technology is the backbone of our business. Every day, our teams solve complex problems, the solutions help thousands of our fellow team members succeed and makes millions of customers’ lives easier.

About the role

A new, permanent opportunity for an Application Architect is now available at Coles.

Reporting to the Delivery Manager – Engineering, the primary function of this role will include: 

• Design and maintain Solution design and Application architecture
• Contribute to the development of Technology strategy and architecture with regard to the relevant application domain
• Work closely with Delivery Managers / Engagement leads to assess and address application impacts
• Oversee the deployment of projects within the agreed solution architecture
• Collaborate with the Solution Architect, providing focused input on application-related matters
• Coach and support technical teams and architecture forums
• Provide leadership in identifying and driving system and process improvements
• Participate in architecture governance processes
• Build and maintain a central repository for architecture artefacts

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to the below:

Business Architecture

• Develop and maintain application architecture landscape ensuring their completeness (fitness-for-purpose) in terms of adequately addressing Coles’ strategic and core operational needs
• Collaborate with the architecture team to ensure adherence to domain standards and enterprise principles
• Design and review technical solutions that address system functionality gaps and business needs
• Evaluate, recommend, and help implement new technologies that provide business value
• Guide and support engineering teams in implementing architecture best practices and scalable designs
• Identify opportunities for IT contribution to business improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve systems functionality to address business issues
• Participate in implementing best practice method in architecture and design activities to assist maturing the architecture and design practice
• Participate in architecture governance forums and ensure compliance with architecture lifecycle processes
• Maintain an up-to-date application architecture repository that aligns with roadmap and delivery plans

Business Understanding

• Collaborate with business stakeholders
• Propose solutions that reduce long-term operational cost
•  Maintain up-to-date architecture artefacts

Strategic Thinking

• Identify and help implement beneficial technologies
• Drive IT contributions to business improvement
• Identify system enhancement opportunities

Technical Mastery

• Ability to develop, communicate and maintain application, technical, and integration architecture design
• Ability to convey business language to technical stakeholders and vice versa
• Ability to maintain and control their own domain repository

Architecture

• Ability to deliver fit for purpose solution
• Ability to make right architecture decisions
• Ability to guide, lead and develop architecture solutions according to architecture framework
• Standard Setting

About you & your skills

• Experience in the architecture and design of a large-scale application and function domain for retail / FMCG
• Understanding of the retail value chain business and systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of:
  • data, integration, and application architecture
  • retail business and, data analysis
  • logical systems design
• Experience in the design of the application portfolio to optimize functionality scalability and reliability
• Proven experience as an Application Architect in a large retail or FMCG environment
• Strong expertise in Point of Sale (PoS) technology and architecture
• Deep understanding of store integration with supply-chain, corporate systems and online systems.
• Deep understanding of Omnichannel systems and customer interaction points
• Understanding of Ticketing & scales system, Electronic shelf label technology, Loss prevention technology in retail store
• Solid architecture knowledge with .NET stack, Windows OS, and enterprise patterns
• Sound knowledge of DevOps concepts and modern delivery practices
• Bonus: Hands-on experience with observability tools – Azure Monitoring, AppDynamics
• Bonus - Integration of SmartGate, Skip Scan and store technology ecosystems
• Bonus- Knowledge of Computer Vision, Generative AI, IOT

Commercial Skills and Formal Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering architecture in a high-volume, multi-channel retail or FMCG environment
• Strong commercial awareness of store systems (PoS, SmartGate,Vision, Self-Checkout) and their operational impacts
• Experience influencing architecture decisions aligned with business outcomes and strategy
• Ability to balance technical depth with commercial trade-offs to meet delivery objectives
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement across business, product, and engineering teams
• Demonstrated capability in project governance and impact assessments for technology change
• Exposure to vendor engagement and managing third-party technical solution inputs
• Experience contributing to technology roadmaps and investment planning
• Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• Certifications in architecture (e.g., TOGAF, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect) desirable
• Familiarity with Agile and DevOps methodologies in commercial delivery environments

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.

• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.

• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hot deals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.

• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks.’ You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.

• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.

• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.

• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

Take your next step into something bigger, apply now!

With us it’s not about the discounts (although you do get those), it’s about joining a team where your wellbeing and professional development is invested in and celebrating your contributions is the norm. And because everyone leads unique lives, we offer flexible work including work from home, additional leave, and parental leave entitlements.

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that’s just as diverse, inclusive, and welcoming as the communities we serve. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation, and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process' section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au.

Job ID: 139223 

Employment Type: Full time 

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