W151842

Information Technology

Plan-les-Ouates

Geneva

Switzerland

Program Initiation Team objectives:

• Creation of a detailed and documented understanding of the current RL IT AS-IS application environment across all 3 regions. This includes all objects in scope for transition on both an interim and permanent basis. These objects include but are not limited to interfaces, data, reporting, access, third party systems as well as RL ERP and Edge systems
• Creation of a detailed and documented understanding of the current RL IT AS-IS infrastructure environment across all 3 regions. This includes all infrastructure objects in scope for transition on both an interim and permanent basis
• Creation of an interim state framework that outlines how the RL systems will need to be set up during the period of transition to the TO-BE status
• Agreement on the way the current systems will be maintained during this interim state identifying when investment will be reduced so that the existing platforms move into a maintenance only status
• Definition of the migration package, toolset, scope and approach that will allow for the continued roll out of the new platform over the forthcoming years facilitating a smooth transition of the company as it gradually transitions over
• Finalization of the scope of the TO-BE ERP system, agreeing where the functionality will reside (ERP versus EDGE) within which system. This will also include mapping out the dependencies on the edge systems within RL at both a data object and interface level
• Finalization of infrastructure and related security solutions to support the TO-BE ERP system
• Definition of the operational requirements to ensure that the new platform meets the needs of the business to meet the RTO/RPO agreements and that all the necessary reporting, alerting etc. is in line with RL standards. This includes items such as automation in areas of data archiving, scheduling, alerting etc.
• Definition of the integration strategy and approach along with the detailed to create a seamless transition which provides flexibility and agility to provide a competitive advantage to the business going forward
• Creation of an automated testing strategy identifying the approach and tools that RL should adopt to speed up the acceptance of the systems, increasing the quality, reducing the time to introduce new changes, enabling volume testing to simulate peak workloads. This approach will accommodate both RL generated functional and vendor system releases
• Creation of an application documentation repository containing all information for both the AS-IS environment and the TO-BE systems going forward. The intent will be to create detailed information in an approved tool or framework that will be used ongoing throughout the project and beyond
• Creation of an overview of the approach for data migration, outlining the plan, ownership, roles and responsibilities and any tools required to perform the cutover from the existing ERP systems including the interim state
• Identification of the impact of the new NGT ERP system on the data analytics and reporting capabilities within RL. Identification of the way the new solution will best integrate into the data analytics domain and outline the impact on current reporting solutions and how to remediate
• Design and implementation of a clear Cyber Security framework for the Hybrid cloud design based on NIS and CIS standards with the partnership of the NGT ERP SI and Information Security
• Creation and implementation of the transition to support documentation with the TO-BE ERP system with clear RACI matrix between RL Technology I&O, Security, Applications, and the TO-BE ERP system provider

During the period of the NGT deployment there will be a significant period where the AS-IS environment and the TO-BE environment must co-exist together. In addition, the rollout of the new platform will be performed on a regional basis, probably cutting over by country, therefore the migration to the new platform has to be considered very carefully across all channels.
This role will work very closely with the RL IT application and business leads to define the approach for both of these areas. The approach will be to work closely with the teams to collect the information on the current landscape and then map out the strategy and plan and approach on how the ERP solution will be deployed and the impact on the EDGE systems. This will also involve working closely with the ERP vendors.
The rollout of the new platform will be performed on a regional basis, probably cutting over by country, therefore the migration to the new platform must be carefully considered across all channels. The migrating platforms will be a combination of the current SAP AFS system, the IP platform supporting retail in NA and EMEA and D365 in APAC
Initially the role will focus on defining the current landscape, collecting all of the required information to describe the AS-IS environment.
The strategy and plan must consider all aspects of the interim state and migration including reporting. Once the approach for all the work packages has been agreed, identification of the level of effort and how the program will be delivered is required. This will include the definition of roles and responsibilities of how the service will be delivered and maintained. Of criticality will be the need to ensure that the migration is performed in an efficient manner to ensure a smooth cutover across the channels in line with business expectations.
Support will be provided to plan and collect the information, managing the data collected and enabling the lead to focus on the activities, rather than the repository of information and the details to create the plan.
The role will also ensure that there are formal processes in place to sign off the data collected, with various gates being defined through the process to ensure that teams are bought into the approach. The migration lead will also be seen as an evangelist for the program, helping to educate, raise awareness, grow confidence in those around them. They will become a focal point for the program and will generally help to raise the profile and understanding of the program within the company.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with all the IT, business, vendor teams to ensure the interim and migration scope is in alignment with expectations
• Creation of a clear picture of the current AS-IS, highlighting the areas that are in scope for the interim state and agree the reporting that is required to support the business during this period
• Creation of a strategy for recurring migration outlining the systems and data entities in scope and what is required to migrate to the new TO-BE. Outlining of the tools, scheduling and skills required to set up a recurring migration process that seamlessly populates the new systems with the necessary data. Define the operational processes and controls to monitor the cutover
• Work with all other IT and business team to gain approval of both approaches (interim and migration) and the reporting that will be necessary
• Ensure that the ownership (business and IT) is clear across the interim state and migration framework for the ERP, Edge and infrastructure and that the responsibilities are outlined, and resources factored into the program.
• Creation of the team structure that will be required to support the interim state as well as the ongoing migration on a recurring basis
• Areas to consider within the scope include but are not limited to:
• Systems in scope for either dual reporting (interim state) or/and migration ongoing
• Data entities (sets) in scope
• Data retention impact – what data is required where and for how long
• Historical data management (where will data be retained for historical purposes)
• Speed and ease of migration – what are the SLA’s that the design and system must meet?
• Creating a Work package for the design and build of the interim phase.
• Creating a Work package for the design and build of the migration package
• Outlining the teams required to support these areas ongoing
• Detailed list of reporting for the interim state – what information must be reported on in a dual running environment
• What are the reports that we need in place for the migration package
• Preparation of the various teams as much as possible for the upcoming mobilization. Use of engagement to educate, but also to listen and absorb and represent back the findings of the teams
• Creation of an approach to testing of the interim and migration approaches and associated components in line with the rest of the program that will enable an agile approach to developing and releasing new capabilities that encompasses the edge systems to create a common method across the RL systems in scope
• Work with the various teams develop the interim and full cut over approach by system by object by phase to include but not limited to:
• PO
• SO
• Inventory
• Financial management controls
• Product migration
• Retail location
• Master data
• Assistance in identifying training needs to facilitate knowledge required by the teams
• Development and maintenance of individual and integrated project plans, including scope, objectives and milestones, deliverables, risks and issues
• Agreement an overall approach for the capturing of infrastructure requirements, documentation, testing criteria in an efficient manner that will allow for the more agile approach to managing change going forward
• Assistance in defining the operational support model that will be required for each of the packages, post the go live of the new systems and the impact on the current operational support teams. This will involve defining any backfill resources required
• Creation of the detailed plans and budgets to support the WP associated with these streams

• Minimum 8+ years of experience with a proven track record in within a vertically integrated retail environment; fashion apparel experience is highly desirable
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Must be adept at translating complex concepts into actionable plans
• Ability to confidently engage with and influence senior executives
• Strong analytical skills: Leverage data to make strategic decisions
• The ideal candidate is pragmatic, a problem solver, thrives under pressure, and excels at multitasking. Has the ability to make decisive and timely decisions while acting with authority
• Strong strategic vision but is also comfortable taking a hands-on approach to achieve results
• Can be based in UK/CH/NY/NJ