Senior Technical Data Architect - ERP Modernization

Position: Senior Technical / Data Architect – ERP Modernization

Work Location: 100% Remote

Engagement Type: Contract / Project-Based

Project Overview

Our client is preparing to transition from its legacy Visual Manufacturing ERP environment to a modern ERP platform. The existing system relies on a SQL database and has evolved over approximately 17 years, resulting in fragmented data, Excel-based workarounds, and inconsistent processes.

The client is seeking a senior, hands-on Technical/Data Architect to lead ERP readiness, data cleanup, migration planning, and implementation support while helping define a future-state cloud architecture. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with manufacturing business-process knowledge, project leadership, and the ability to work independently with business stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior technical professional who can bridge data architecture, ERP implementation, and manufacturing operations. This person must be comfortable working independently in a remote engagement, communicating directly with leadership, and driving practical solutions without requiring a large project team.

A cost-conscious, pragmatic approach is essential. The client values someone who can establish structure, improve data quality, and guide the ERP transition while protecting day-to-day business operations.

Key Responsibilities

Lead ERP readiness activities, including data assessment, cleansing, normalization, validation, and migration preparation.

Analyze the existing Visual Manufacturing ERP environment and underlying SQL database to identify data issues, dependencies, and integration considerations.

Support ERP selection, implementation planning, data migration strategy, and technical execution for the transition to a new ERP platform.

Evaluate and support the target cloud architecture, including proof-of-concept development and zero-trust security principles.

Develop a practical migration roadmap that minimizes operational risk and avoids disruption to manufacturing operations.

Document existing systems, data structures, business processes, technical decisions, and migration procedures.

Provide hands-on technical leadership, functional project coordination, and knowledge transfer to client stakeholders.

Support basic Power BI reporting improvements and data cleanup as a secondary initiative.

Collaborate directly with the client’s IT and business teams to proactively identify issues, recommend solutions, and drive deliverables to completion.

Required Qualifications

Senior-level experience in technical architecture, data architecture, or ERP modernization.

Demonstrated experience supporting ERP implementations, legacy system transitions, and data migrations.

Strong SQL and relational database expertise, including data analysis, data mapping, cleansing, transformation, and validation.

Experience assessing legacy applications and preparing data for migration into a new ERP platform.

Knowledge of cloud architecture, cloud migration strategies, and zero-trust security concepts.

Understanding of manufacturing business processes, ideally including inventory, production, supply chain, and related operational workflows.

Experience developing technical roadmaps, project plans, system documentation, and migration strategies.

Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with business stakeholders.

Self-directed, hands-on approach with the ability to take ownership of a project in a lean IT environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Visual Manufacturing ERP or similar legacy manufacturing ERP platforms.

Familiarity with Priority Software or comparable modern ERP solutions.

Experience with Microsoft Power BI and reporting data preparation.

Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or shop-floor system integrations.

Experience supporting small and midsize manufacturing organizations through ERP modernization.

Project Priorities

Phase 1: ERP Readiness and Implementation

Assess and organize legacy data.

Prepare for ERP platform transition.

Support implementation planning and migration.

Establish documentation and minimize operational risk.

Phase 1B: Reporting and Analytics

Clean up existing reporting data.

Support basic Power BI reporting improvements.

Future Phase: MES / Shop-Floor Systems

Evaluate manufacturing execution and shop-floor integration needs after the ERP initiative progresses.