Purpose of the RoleThe ECS Solutions Architect works with customers and other ECS teams to analyze and design best fit of the McLeod core software to their business processes. In gathering requirements and documenting gaps that are identified in our core software, the Solution Architect will provide solutions to these gaps and document these as part of the overall ECS SDLC process. The Solutions Architect will perform various customer-facing consulting roles including, but not limited to, BPRs and Roadmaps. This role also serves as a consultant and mentor to Business Analysts as needed.
Essentials for the Role- Ability to learn internal software and systems.
- Strong documentation and record keeping abilities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to interact with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and projects.
- Ability to work independently and a part of a team.
Key Accountabilities- Perform consults with customers and produce a proper scope estimation for KTLO modification requests within the formal ECS SDLC process.
- Perform all duties associated with BPR activities including travel to customer site, performing the interviews, and producing any needed documentation for the BPR Results Report and the Executive presentation. This work will be done in conjunction with a Business Analyst, who will take the lead on documentation and the Solutions Architect will take the lead on the customer facing activities.
- Take the lead in Roadmap duties including assisting in Immersion training, conducting conference room pilots. The SA will assist the Business Analyst in documenting DOUs for gaps or integrations found, assisting with preparing the Executive Presentation, and delivering a portion of the Executive Presentation onsite.
- Ensure that user stories/test cases are defined for modifications to clearly define user acceptance criteria.
- Perform reviews of porting lists and ballpark estimating in support of upgrades.
- Maintain current product knowledge and stay abreast of upcoming product development, in order to enable customers to leverage base product and minimize modifications and to be a resource internally.
- Understand ancillary products and engage Ancillary team SMEs in consults.
- Work with Developers on creating innovative solutions for customer requirements.
- Create functional design documents for all custom programing whether coming from KTLO or through an engagement.
- Create process maps through Visio to document customer current state processes, future state processes, and their integration landscape(s) when needed.
- Focus on quality and work with Dev and QA in our processes to ensure complete proper testing, and that solutions meet customer acceptance criteria with no defects.
- Enter in planned start and finish dates on all tasks assigned to them if they are not already present.
- Keep velocity going on all work assigned to them if they are not already present.
- Make sure that all work being performed is approved and sanctioned by their Team Lead or Director.
Education / Experience- Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in a technical or software-focused Business Analyst role, required.
- Experience in software implementation, systems analysis, and technical consulting, preferred.
- Experience supporting complex customer workflows, leading functional or technical discovery, troubleshooting system behavior, or designing configuration-based solutions, preferred.
- Working knowledge of the transportation and logistics industry, highly preferred.
- To perform this job effectively, an individual should have an intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Working knowledge of McLeod's suite of products, preferred. (i.e., LoadMaster, DocumentPower, PowerBroker).
- Experience reviewing porting lists and project-driven modifications required.
- Experience with APIs, EDI, ETL processes, or system-to-system interface, required.
- Experience analyzing configuration-based solutions, interpreting technical outputs such as logs or error messages, and leveraging base product functionality to minimize custom development, required.
- Familiarity with database concepts, structured data formats (e.g., JSON or XML), and the use of project or ticketing systems to manage work, required.
- Experience with process mapping tools, preferred. (I.e., Visio, Lucid Chart).
DisclaimerThis job description outlines the primary duties of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be asked to perform other duties as required to support organizational goals. McLeod reserves the right to update or change this description as needed.
Certificates and LicensesThe CCEP (Certified Customer Experience Professional) certification from CSIA (Customer Service Institute of America) must be completed within the first 60 to 90 days of employment. The certification consists of eight modules with a test at the end of each module. The estimated time to complete is eight hours.
