Director - Solution Architect

Who we are

GMG is a global well-being company retailing, distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years, GMG is a valued partner of choice for the world's most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Klassic, and international brands like Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita's, and McCain.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Technology Solution Architect to drive AI-driven automation, technology rationalization, and innovation in our retail business. This role requires a deep understanding of retail operations, AI/ML, hyperautomation (RPA, intelligent workflows), and enterprise architecture optimization.

As a key leader reporting to the CTO, you will define technology roadmaps, rationalize legacy systems, evaluate new investments, and mitigate risks while ensuring alignment with business objectives. You will act as a trusted advisor, translating complex technical concepts into actionable strategies for executive stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

AI & Automation Leadership

• Architect AI/ML-driven solutions (predictive analytics, personalized recommendations, demand forecasting, chatbots, computer vision for retail).
• Design hyperautomation strategies (RPA, process mining, workflow automation) to optimize retail operations (supply chain, inventory, customer service).
• Identify opportunities for generative AI (GenAI) applications in retail (dynamic pricing, content generation, virtual shopping assistants).

Technology Portfolio Rationalization & Roadmaps

• Conduct current-state assessments of retail tech stack (eCommerce, POS, ERP, CRM) and define modernization paths.
• Develop 3-5 year technology roadmaps aligned with business growth, balancing innovation with cost efficiency.
• Lead legacy system sunsetting, cloud migration, and consolidation initiatives to reduce complexity.

Investment Strategy & Business Case Development

• Clearly articulate a point of view on new technology investments (e.g., AI platforms, composable commerce, edge computing).
• Build ROI-driven business cases for tech initiatives, partnering with Finance and Product teams.
• Evaluate build-vs-buy-vs-partner decisions for retail solutions.

Risk Management & Governance

• Proactively identify technical, security, and compliance risks in retail systems (PCI, GDPR, AI ethics).
• Define architectural guardrails to ensure scalability, resilience, and regulatory adherence.
• Establish vendor risk assessment frameworks for third-party AI/automation tools.

Job Requirement:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 16+ years in solution/enterprise architecture, with 5+ years in retail/eCommerce.
• Proven track record in AI/ML implementations, automation (RPA, workflow tools), and cloud-native architectures (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Strong background in technology portfolio rationalization and roadmap development.
• Hands-on with AI frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), GenAI tools, MLOps, and automation platforms (UiPath, Power Automate).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Additional regional language proficiency is a plus.

Why Join GMG

At GMG, we're dedicated to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging work environment that promotes growth, innovation, and well-being. Join us in our mission to inspire victories that make the world better – for our team, our consumers, and our communities.

If you're seeking a challenging role where you can make a significant impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to become a part of our journey.

What we offer

• An opportunity to become part of diverse teams with international exposure
• Comprehensive family medical insurance
• Family residency sponsorship and flight allowances
• Up to 30% discount in our premium retail sports brand stores
• Up to 20% discount in our pharmacy chain