VIM Architect

Location: Remote Home Office
Reports to: Practice Manager - Invoice to Pay Solutions

Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Architect with deep specialization in Vendor Invoice Management (VIM) to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of end-to-end invoice-to-pay solutions within SAP landscapes.

This role is a strategic and hands-on leadership position responsible for shaping enterprise P2P architecture. The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of functional process expertise, technical depth, and architectural vision, enabling clients to modernize invoice processing, and drive automation at scale.
You will act as a trusted advisor to finance, procurement, and IT stakeholders, guiding both solution design and business transformation initiatives.

The Opportunity!
You will be working with an established and respected services consulting company in the SAP ecosystem. As an SAP Gold partner, Optima ECM Consulting has built a reputation for excellence and is considered a valued strategic partner to SAP and its customers. We are a pioneering services firm specializing in bridging technology and human interaction. We focus on SAP Spend Management solutions, SAP Content Management, SAP Add-On Development, AMS and our unique Optima Simple Approach.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Solution Architecture & Strategy
•   Define and lead end-to-end Procure-to-Pay architecture, with a focus on invoice processing, automation, and compliance
•   Design scalable solutions across:
o   SAP S/4HANA / ECC Finance (FI/MM)
o   OpenText Vendor Invoice Management (VIM)
•   Establish target-state architectures and roadmaps aligned to client business goals
•   Ensure alignment with clean core principles, extensibility strategy, and SAP best practices

2. Vendor Invoice Management (VIM) Leadership
•   Lead design and implementation of OpenText VIM solutions (7.x through latest versions)
•   Architect:
o   Invoice capture (OCR, OpenText Capture, external capture tools)
o   Document processing (DP), workflows, exception handling
o   PO/non-PO invoice processing & down payment processing scenarios
o   Tax determination and validation logic
•   Implement best practices for:
o   Invoice ingestion channels (PDF, Ariba, EDI, Peppol, XML)
o   Duplicate detection and validation frameworks
o   Exception handling and AP productivity optimization
•   Guide VIM upgrades, optimizations, and S/4HANA transformations

3. Integration & Ecosystem Design
•   Architect integrations across:
o   OCR and capture platforms
o   SAP Ariba Commerce Automation, SCC, & SAP Business Network (CIG/iFlows)
o   SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC for e-invoicing)
o   Third-party and legacy systems
•   Define end-to-end document and data flow, including:
o   eDocument lifecycle
o   Invoice-to-FI posting linkage
o   Status feedback loops (rejections, compliance updates)
•   Ensure robust error handling, monitoring, and reconciliation processes

4. Functional Process Optimization
•   Engage with prospective clients to understand their business requirements, pain points, and objectives
•   Assess and redesign P2P processes, including complex invoicing scenarios
•   Identify automation opportunities and reduce manual touchpoints
•   Drive standardization vs. necessary customization decisions

5. Presales & Advisory
•   Partner with sales teams to:
o   Conduct discovery workshops and assessments
o   Advise on solution proposals, roadmaps, and SOWs
o   Lead client presentations, demos, and architecture discussions
•   Translate business challenges into solution-driven narratives
•   Support RFP responses and effort estimations

6. Delivery Leadership
•   Provide architectural oversight across project lifecycle:
o   Prepare / Explore / Realize / Deploy / Hypercare
•   Guide cross-functional teams:
o   Functional consultants
o   Technical developers (ABAP, integrations)
o   Basis and infrastructure teams
•   Ensure quality, scalability, and performance of solutions
•   Establish governance for:
o   Design standards
o   Testing strategy
o   Cutover and deployment

7. Continuous Innovation & Thought Leadership
•   Stay current with:
o   SAP roadmap (S/4HANA, Business Network, DRC)
o   OpenText innovations (VIM, Core Capture, xECM)
o   Global e-invoicing mandates and compliance trends
•   Drive adoption of:
o   AI/automation in invoice processing
o   Advanced analytics and reporting
•   Contribute to internal accelerators, methodologies, and best practices

Required Qualifications:
Experience
•   10+ years of SAP experience with strong focus on Procure-to-Pay and Invoice Management
•   Proven experience as a Solution Architect or Lead Architect
•   Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail
•   Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and manage multiple priorities
•   Multiple full lifecycle SAP implementations
•   Deep expertise in:
o   OpenText Vendor Invoice Management (VIM)
o   SAP FI/MM and procurement processes
o   S/4HANA transformations and/or ECC environments

Technical & Functional Expertise
•   Strong knowledge of:
o   SAP Workflow and document processing
o   Integration frameworks (CIG, APIs, IDocs, iFlows)
•   Hands-on understanding of:
o   ABAP, BAdIs, enhancements, and troubleshooting
o   Invoice capture and OCR technologies
o   SAP Ariba (Buying & Invoicing, Business Network)
o   SAP DRC / e-invoicing frameworks
•   Experience designing global, multi-country invoice solutions

Presales & Leadership
•   Proven experience in:
o   Solution design and proposal development
o   Client-facing architecture discussions
o   Leading distributed project teams
•   Strong ability to articulate complex concepts to business and technical stakeholders

Education & Certifications
•   Bachelor’s degree in IT, Business, or related field (Advanced degree is a plus)
•   SAP and/or OpenText certifications preferred

Key Competencies:
•   Strategic thinking with execution focus
•   Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
•   Ability to balance standardization vs. flexibility
•   Excellent communication and stakeholder management
•   Self-driven, adaptable, and collaborative

What Success Looks Like:
•   Successfully delivers scalable, compliant, and efficient P2P solutions
•   Drives measurable improvements in invoice automation and cycle times
•   Acts as a trusted advisor to client leadership
•   Elevates team capabilities through mentorship and knowledge sharing
•   Contributes to building future-ready P2P architectures

Why Optima?
As an SAP Gold Partner and pioneer in enterprise solutions, Optima ECM Consulting is trusted by some of the world’s top organizations. We combine deep expertise with a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. At Optima you will work in a flexible remote environment where you can help shape the future of enterprise application services while delivering meaningful impact for our clients.

We’re looking for people who align with Optima’s Core Values:
•   Have a passion for excellence – you always deliver quality work for your clients and each other, on time, and to the best of your ability. You don’t cut corners.
•   Create remarkable client experience – you do the right thing for your clients, and you consistently seek ways to add value to their business.
•   Be a Pioneer – We are original and creative in our thinking. To us, innovation and ingenuity is a mind-set – a hard-wired desire to improve things.
•   Get it done – you can be counted on to fulfil every objective you take on. Your teammates and clients know they can trust you to get the job done.
•   Win as a team – you can be a great teammate, mentor, and cheerleader to support your team. You are committed to enhancing your team and creating an opportunity for growth.
•   Have fun – you love what you do and have fun while you do it and celebrate successes along the way.