Job Summary
The Senior SAP Manufacturing Applications Manager serves as the primary liaison between Business Operations and Information Technology. The role collaborates closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, and external partners to ensure enterprise applications effectively support manufacturing, quality, logistics, and procurement processes. The incumbent will support the implementation, optimization, and governance of SAP S/4HANA and related enterprise applications to meet operational and regulatory needs within a Medical Device / Life Sciences environment.
Job Details/Responsibilities
Business Relationship Management:
- Act as the primary interface between Business Operations (Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, Procurement) and the IT organization
- Build strong partnerships with functional leaders to understand operational needs and translate them into technology initiatives
- Provide advisory support to business stakeholders on enterprise applications and process improvements
- Ensure alignment between business priorities and IT application roadmap
- Support digital transformation initiatives across manufacturing and supply chain operations
Enterprise Application Strategy & Governance:
- Collaborate with IT leadership to develop and maintain the application roadmap supporting manufacturing and supply chain systems
- Ensure enterprise applications support key operational processes including Manufacturing, Quality Management, Logistics, and Procurement
- Support optimization and governance of SAP S/4HANA and integrated enterprise platforms
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency through technology-enabled solutions
- Provide strategic input into enterprise application strategy and technology investments
Solution Design & Implementation:
- Collaborate with IT teams, consultants, and business stakeholders to support the design, configuration, testing, and deployment of enterprise applications
- Lead business engagement during system implementations, enhancements, and upgrades
- Facilitate business requirements gathering, solution validation, and process design workshops
- Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture standards and industry best practices
- Support ERP transformation initiatives involving SAP S/4HANA
Integration & Cross Functional Collaboration:
- Support integration between SAP S/4HANA and enterprise systems such as MES, QMS, Warehouse Management and Procurement systems
- Collaborate with enterprise architects and integration teams to support end-to-end business processes
- Work with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent system design and operational alignment
Job Responsibilities (continued)
Compliance & Regulatory Support:
- Ensure enterprise systems support regulatory requirements in Medical Device / Life Sciences industries
- Support compliance with FDA expectations, CFR Part 11 requirements, and product traceability standards
- Assist with system validation activities and audit readiness documentation
Operational Support & Continuous Improvement:
- Oversee application support activities for manufacturing and supply chain systems
- Ensure timely resolution of application incidents and service requests
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system usage and operational efficiency
- Maintain documentation for business processes, system functionality, and operational procedures
- Support cross-functional initiatives that enhance operational performance
- Advise leadership on opportunities to improve systems supporting manufacturing and supply chain operations
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)
- Software: Strong knowledge of SAP Suite of Products and their latest versions
- Experience supporting SAP S/4HANA in Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and Procurement domains
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, quality management, and supply chain processes
- Ability to translate business requirements into system solutions and functional designs
- Understanding of enterprise integrations including MES and Quality Management systems
- Familiarity with regulated environments within Medical Device or Life Sciences industries
- Strong analytical, problem solving, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic operational environments
- Knowledge of project delivery methodologies including Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall
- Exposure to Cloud Computing applications as applicable to SAP software
- Some familiarity with SOX and IRM compliance
- Some familiarity with FDA CFR Part 11 Software Validation processes
- Keen analytical skills
- Keen sense of maturity, judgment and diligence required to:
- Secure company’s financial interests; and,
- Avoid exposures to expensive delays and cost overruns.
- Strong inter-personal and communication skills
- Ability to cope with stress and continuously changing demands/priorities
- Willingness to learn new skills/techniques/processes
Qualifications/ Background Experiences
- Bachelor’s degree in any process area, (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, etc.) with professional certification preferably in SAP (e.g., SAP Supply Chain) or equivalent work experience.
- 8 years of experience supporting enterprise applications in manufacturing or supply chain environments
- Major large, complex multi country end to end SAP transformation programs
- Experience within Medical Device, Life Sciences, or regulated manufacturing industries preferred
- Experience supporting SAP S/4HANA enterprise environments
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving business and IT teams
- Experience supporting ERP implementations, upgrades, or digital transformation programs
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a leadership role(s) directing, leading, or managing one or many work streams
- Familiarity with general Order to Cash return/recall processes with an emphasis on how they integrate/interface into Quality and Batch Management
- Knowledge of project methodologies like Scrum, Agile, Waterfall
- Multiple Years of Experience in Medical Device / Life Sciences Industry is preferable.
