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Do it Best · 9 hours ago

Principal Enterprise Architect

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

Do it Best is a company focused on empowering independent hardware retailers through IT innovation. The Principal Enterprise Architect will design and govern the enterprise architecture that supports current operations and long-term growth, while leading the Architecture Center of Excellence and collaborating with various stakeholders to align technology with business priorities.

Wholesale

Responsibilities

Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision, principles, and roadmap

Partner with the CIO to develop and maintain the enterprise technology strategy aligned with corporate vision and IT mission

Lead the Architecture COE to establish standards, reference architectures, and governance practices

Evaluate and guide the adoption of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), to improve productivity, insights, and user experience

Drive modernization, integration, and data initiatives supporting retail, distribution, and member-facing systems

Partner with Solution Architects to ensure interoperability, scalability, and security across platforms

Represent Do it Best in executive forums, steering committees, and industry conferences to share vision, progress, and innovation strategy

Collaborate across IT and business functions to ensure technology decisions drive enterprise outcomes

Qualification

Enterprise architectureCloud infrastructureAI/ML integrationData integrationAPIsSecurity architectureRetail technology experienceTOGAF certificationAWS/Azure certificationCommunication skillsPresentation skillsLeadership experience

Required

Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field

10+ years of progressive IT leadership, with 7+ years in enterprise or solution architecture

Experience in retail, distribution, or supply chain technology environments

Strong knowledge of cloud and hybrid infrastructure, data integration, APIs, and security architecture

Proven success integrating or applying AI/ML solutions in enterprise environments

Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to engage executives, board members, and external audiences

Preferred

Master's degree preferred

Preferred certifications: TOGAF, AWS/Azure Solutions Architect, or equivalent

Benefits

Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision

Paid time off to foster work/life balance

Profit sharing

Bonus Pay opportunities

Retirement funding opportunities

Education reimbursement

Health club reimbursement

Career advancement opportunities

Company

Do it Best

Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., we are the only U.S.-based, member-owned, comprehensive and fully integrated hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry.

Founded in 1945

Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

1001-5000 employees