AnaPlan Solution Architect

JOB PURPOSE:

• Glencore’s Copper business is implementing Anaplan as its planning platform. The Anaplan Solution Architect will be the design authority for the platform – setting its architecture from the start, working with the project manager and the implementation partner through design and build, and owning the platform as it is rolled out and extended across the business. This is a senior, hands-on role that works closely with Finance leadership, IT and the sites. The role is accountable for:
• Setting the architecture: designing the end-to-end solution – model landscape, data hub, dimensional design and integrations – so the platform performs and scales as use cases and users grow.
• Acting as design authority: setting modelling standards and governance, including change control and ALM, and signing off solution designs and build quality.
• Protecting data integrity: designing integrations with source systems (ERP, HR, data warehouses) so planning data is complete, timely and reconciled.
• Safeguarding security and compliance: designing access, roles and permissions, and setting the controls, audit trails and documentation expected of a listed company.
• Building capability: taking over the solution from the implementation partner, coaching the site modellers and building in-house expertise, so that Glencore can run and extend the platform itself.
• Shaping the roadmap: working with Finance, IT and the business to extend Anaplan's use and reduce reliance on spreadsheets.

PRIMARY TASKS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the platform’s architecture, support site modellers with their site-level responsibilities and take overall responsibility for the following:

Solution Architecture and Design Authority

• Own the end-to-end solution architecture – model landscape, workspaces, data hub, dimensional design and integration patterns – including the choice of calculation engine (Classic or Polaris).
• Act as design authority and Glencore’s technical lead with the implementation partner: review and sign off solution designs, build quality and changes, and make the key technical decisions.
• Set and enforce modelling standards and naming conventions in line with Anaplan best practice (The Anaplan Way, the Planual and DISCO); maintain a model inventory.
• Turn business requirements into designs that are simple to use and maintain, and challenge complexity where a simpler design will do.

Model Design, Build and Performance

• Design and build complex models hands-on, and review the work of the implementation partner and the site modellers.
• Make sure models perform at scale – manage model size, sparsity and calculation times; resolve bottlenecks and optimise modules, lists and formulas.
• Investigate and correct calculation errors and data discrepancies; run regression and reconciliation checks after changes.

Data and Integration Architecture

• Design the integration architecture with IT, and oversee the build, scheduling and monitoring of imports and exports (Anaplan Connect, CloudWorks, Data Orchestrator, APIs).
• Reconcile loaded data to source systems (ERP, HRIS, data warehouses) and resolve load failures promptly.
• Set the approach for master data, hierarchies, mappings and data validation controls.

Planning Cycle Support

• Make sure models are ready for budget, forecast, reforecast and month-end cycles (versions, roll-forwards, calendar changes).
• Agree timelines, data lockdowns, approvals and sign-offs with Finance; support planners and reporting during peak periods.

Change, Release and Lifecycle Management

• Design and run the ALM and release process, with revision tags and separate development, test and production models.
• Log, test, approve and document changes; coordinate user acceptance testing; maintain rollback plans.

Roadmap and Solution Delivery

• Own the platform roadmap, and lead the design and build of new modules, dashboards, actions, processes and UX pages within governance standards.
• Shape new use cases (workforce, sales, supply chain, capital planning) and evaluate new Anaplan features, including AI capabilities.
• Assess incoming requests for feasibility and business value, and manage the prioritisation pipeline with Finance and IT.

Capability Building and User Enablement

• Lead, coach and quality-assure the site modellers, and build in-house Anaplan expertise.
• Set the support model and service levels, and act as the final point of escalation before Anaplan or partners.
• Oversee user training, user guides and FAQs, and lead change management and a community of practice to drive adoption and self-service.

Platform Governance, Security, Risk and Compliance

• Oversee workspace and tenant administration, licences and user access, with periodic access reviews.
• Design the security model, access controls and segregation of duties in line with data protection requirements (e.g. POPIA).
• Support audits with evidence, change logs and access reports; maintain business continuity and recovery procedures.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain solution designs, model documentation, data dictionaries, integration specifications and runbooks.
• Report on platform performance, incidents, changes and adoption.

Stakeholder and Vendor Management

• Act as a trusted adviser to Finance leadership, and agree priorities with Finance, IT, Data and business teams.
• Manage the relationship with Anaplan and partners (licences, product roadmap, release notes) and take part in the planning platform governance forum.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree (NQF Level 7) in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Analytics or a related field.
• Anaplan Professional Solution Architect certification preferred.

Advantageous qualifications:

• Certified Master Anaplanner.
• Postgraduate qualification or professional designation (e.g. CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, CFA).

WORK EXPERIENCE & SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Experience:

• At least seven years of hands-on Anaplan experience or similiar, including at least three end-to-end implementations as solution architect.
• Designing enterprise-scale solutions – multiple models, a data hub and integrations with ERP and other source systems.
• Leading or quality-assuring the work of implementation partners and model builders.
• Running a live platform through full planning cycles, with ALM, revision tags and change management.
• Troubleshooting model performance, formulas and data issues in large, complex models.
• Leading business process transformation and change management, and running several workstreams at once.

Advantageous experience:

• Experience in mining, metals or another asset-intensive industry.
• Experience at Anaplan or an Anaplan partner, as well as in-house.
• Anaplan Optimizer and Polaris; multiple use cases (financial, workforce, sales, supply chain, capital).
• Integration with enterprise systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Workday, Snowflake) and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Working in a regulated or listed-company environment with audit and internal control obligations.