The Sr. Principal – HR Applications and Architecture Digital Technology Solutions will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing solutions to enable digital transformation and innovation across the function. 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. This position will work closely with the Digital Partners, Solution Delivery leads, business analysts, consultants, developers, and project managers to understand the business requirements, translate them into architectural design specifications, and ensure the delivery of high-quality solutions. This position will recommend the best solutions to meet the business requirements and will also provide technical guidance, best practices, and troubleshooting support to the executing teams.

They will lead the global optimization and enhancement of our HR & Shared Services processes utilizing digital technology solutions. With a deep understanding of both digital technology and HR / Finance and Shared Services process knowledge, you will lead the charge in identifying, designing, and implementing digital technology strategies that enable finance efficiency, agility, and competitiveness to achieve business function reporting objectives. 

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

Assess Technology:

• 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.

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.

Core Responsibilities:

System Analysis and Integration: Analyze existing 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 systems and reporting (HCM, AP/AR, payroll, timekeeping), ensuring seamless integration with other critical business systems to enhance overall operational efficiency and data integrity.

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.

Technology Solution Evaluation and Value:  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 HR, Payroll, AP/AR, expenses, timekeeping, content / document creation, etc.  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 HR and Shared Services managers to prioritize system enhancements and initiatives based on identified value. 

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 and translate them into solutions.  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 HR and Shared Services 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 HR & Shared Services systems and processes.
• Strong knowledge and experience in HR/Shared Services technologies such as ADP, UKG Kronos, ServiceNow HRSD & CSM.
• Workday and Saviynt experience strongly preferred.  Proven expertise in Workday | Saviynt |  ServiceNow integrations. 
• A proven track record of optimizing global transformations and implementations/upgrades and incorporating digital workflows, RPA, OCR, and Power Apps.
• Experience working in a global environment, with the ability to navigate cultural differences and collaborate effectively with diverse teams across geographies.
• Experience working in a matrixed environment, with the ability to influence.
• 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 HR / Shared Services technology integrations and implementations.

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.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Country