The Sr. Principal - Finance Applications and Architecture Digital Technology Solutions will lead the global optimization and enhancement of our Finance and Accounting processes utilizing digital technology solutions. With a deep understanding of both digital technology and Finance/Accounting process knowledge, you will lead the charge in identifying, designing, and implementing digital technology strategies that enable finance efficiency, agility, and competitiveness to achieve Finance and reporting objectives.  They will proactively and holistically lead and support Enterprise Architecture activities that guide the development and management of a portfolio of solutions. Solutions include projects and products, systems (including applications, technologies, processes and information), shared infrastructure services and shared application services.

They understand the concepts of business goals, objectives and business outcomes, business capabilities, value-streams and business processes and their importance in solution architecture. The solutions architect provides the necessary leadership, analysis and design tasks related to support the development of technology solutions to ensure that solutions meet business needs and align with architectural governance and standards.

They create deliverables for managing the organization's portfolio of "as is" and "to be" solutions — including systems (applications, processes, information and technology), shared infrastructure services, and shared application services and components to enable and drive targeted business outcomes.

The position demands a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and effective communication skills to drive digital initiatives that enhance global finance operations.

Core Responsibilities:

System Analysis and Integration: Analyze existing finance systems, processes, and workflows to identify opportunities for improvement and integration with new and existing technologies.  Responsible to work on integrating disparate systems to ensure seamless information flow across finance, shared services and other global function systems.  Direct the design and implementation of sophisticated finance systems and reporting (ERP, AP/AR, payroll, timekeeping), ensuring seamless integration with other critical business systems to enhance overall operational efficiency and data integrity.  This senior-level role demands a candidate with a strong background in business processes of the functional domain, architecture principles, technologies that support the business function, and partnership with technical and non-technical stakeholders. This role will collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect, design and ensure development of impactful solutions that optimize processes, for the identified opportunities.

Solution Architecture:

• Monitors the current-state solution portfolio to identify deficiencies through aging of the technologies used by the application, or misalignment with business requirements.
• Partner with the Enterprise Architecture team to monitor micro- and macroscopic trends in EA for effective decision-making.
• Supports product managers in end-of-life product decisions to maintain, refresh or retire services or systems, including applications, technologies, processes, and information.
• Understands emerging technology trends and disruptions and their practical application to enable new and evolving business and operating models.
• Analyzes the technology industry, competitors, and market trends, and determines their potential implications for a given solution.
• Analyzes the business-IT environment to detect critical deficiencies, legacy, and technical debt, and also recommends solutions for improvement.
• Facilitates the evaluation, selection and TCO of software product standards and services, as well as the design of standard and custom software configurations.
• Consults with application and infrastructure development projects and products to fit systems or infrastructure to architecture and identify when it is necessary to modify designs to accommodate the solutions architecture.

 In collaboration with Global Procurement, research, evaluate, and recommend digital technologies that can enhance finance efficiency, visibility, reporting and resilience. This could include solutions related to Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Product Costing, and Tax.  Oversee high-level functional solution development in collaboration with solution delivery and enterprise architecture teams, ensuring solutions are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with industry best practices.  Work with Finance managers to prioritize Finance & Shared Services system enhancements and initiatives based on identified value. 

Apply Technology:

• Leads evaluation, design and analysis for the implementation of a solutions architecture across a group of specific business applications or technologies based on enterprise business strategy, business capabilities, value-streams, business requirements and enterprise standards.
• Manages and develops the architecture for a broader scope of projects or products, working closely with application architects that manage and design architecture for a single project or product or initiative.
• Develops a roadmap for the evolution of the enterprise solution portfolio from current to future state, as defined by the solutions architecture.
• Acts as a consultant on a broad range of technologies, platforms, and supplier offerings to drive targeted business outcomes.
• Creates architectural designs to guide and contextualize solution development across products, services, projects, and systems, including applications, technologies, processes and information.
• Works closely with the program management office (PMO) or project management office to ensure the execution of plans corresponds with what is being promised throughout the project or product life cycle.
• Provides consulting support to application architects within agile teams to ensure the project or product is aligned with the overall enterprise architecture.

Solution Architecture

• Responsible for rationalization and optimization of technology solutions and platforms supporting the business functions.
• Analyze the business requirements and processes of our business and translate them into solutions.
• Design and document the solution architecture, including the integration, security, scalability, and performance aspects.
• Responsible for developing the solution design for the to-be processes.
• Accountable for ensuring that the solutions are developed and configured according to the solution design and specifications.
• Review and approve all detailed solution design artifacts like functional and technical specifications.
• Test and validate the solutions and ensure they meet the quality standards and expectations of the solution architecture and design.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to the development team and ensure the adherence to the best practices and standards.
• Collaborate with the digital partners, project managers, solution delivery leads, business analysts, and end-users to provide feedback, updates, and recommendations on the solutions.
• Provide expert advice, help and support to resolve any technical issues and challenges that arise during the project implementation and deployment.
• Stay updated on the latest technologies, trends, and innovations and suggest improvements and enhancements to the solutions. Evaluate new and emerging technologies and trends, conducting feasibility studies and prototyping to assess potential impact and value.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Digital Partner and Digital technology Solutions Leadership Team on function technology related matters, providing insights and recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.

Project Management: Lead or participate in digital technology projects, overseeing the full project lifecycle from conception through implementation of system enhancements and small projects, and working with project managers for larger projects and initiatives. This includes setting timelines, coordinating teams, managing budgets, and ensuring project goals are met.  Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to prioritize software initiatives and allocate resources effectively.

Portfolio Assessment and Analysis: Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing business software applications to evaluate their performance, relevance, and alignment with the enterprise architecture and business goals.  Analyze market trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to identify opportunities for enhancing the software portfolio.   Develop strategic plans and roadmaps for standardizing the business software portfolio, considering short-term and long-term business objectives.  Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the performance and impact of business software applications.

Vendor Management, Procurement and, Financial Management:  Partner with Finance to define business requirements and provide to Global Procurement to negotiate contracts and licensing agreements with software suppliers, ensuring the correct software modules, entitlements and user quantities along with favorable terms and conditions for the organization. Understand the Finance contracts and pricing and provide timely updates to financial budgets as required. 

Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with various internal and external stakeholders, including Digital Technology Solutions professionals, finance managers, Global Procurement, suppliers, and partner providers. This ensures that digital technology solutions align with business objectives, stakeholder requirements, and realizing identified value. 

Training and Support: Assist in the development of training materials and conduct sessions for end-users on new systems and technologies. Provide ongoing support and updates to ensure systems remain effective over time.  Mentor junior analysts and cross-functional team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Risk Management and Compliance: Identify and mitigate risks associated with digital technology implementations, including cybersecurity threats. Ensure that digital solutions comply with relevant laws, regulations, and standards, both domestically and globally.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to foster innovation within finance. Promote a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and optimizing finance processes and digital technology applications.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Demonstrated leadership in the analysis, implementation, and optimization of finance systems and processes.
• Proven expertise in advanced finance, product costing, and reporting [SAP FICO, COPA]
• Mastery of SAP S4 Hana Central Finance, Group Reporting
• A proven track record of leading large-scale finance transformations or implementations/upgrades and incorporating new digital tools like RPA, OCR, and Power Apps.
• Functional understanding of: 
  • Product Costing, Cost Structure Splitting and Material Ledger Processes
  • Fixed Assets: Valuation Area, Depreciation, Amortization, Transferring
  • Chart of Accounts: Local Gaap, USGAAP and IFRS, Journal Entries, Recurring Postings and GL Interfaces
  • Accounts Receivable: Collection and Banks
  • Accounts Payable: Payment and Banks (Supplier Financing)
  • Cash Management: Electronic Bank Statement and Reconciliation Account
  • Taxes – Tax and Withholdings from Vendors and Customers
  • Profitability Analysis Structure (Gross Sales to Net Income)
  • Cost Allocation: Internal Orders for Projects and Plant Maintenance, Cost Center Allocation, Assessment Cycles, Activity Types.
• Strong experience in accounting, treasury, tax, record to report and shared services technologies and operations such as Vertex, Reval, Trintech, PROS, Esker, UKG Kronos, Concur, ADP, ServiceNow CSM and other system solutions along with integration of external systems. 
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to lead complex projects under tight timelines.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, with a history of successful stakeholder management, working in a global matrixed organization, and team mentorship.
• Results-oriented mindset, with a focus on continuous improvement, agility, and delivering tangible business results.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Over 10 years of proven experience in a Digital Technology Systems role, with extensive experience in finance and technology implementations.

Relocation Available?       Yes

          

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Country

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.