The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Manager to join a large international organisation undergoing significant business and technology transformation.
This strategic leadership role will be responsible for owning the SAP application landscape, driving SAP strategy, and overseeing service delivery across a complex enterprise environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future SAP roadmap, leading major transformation initiatives, and ensuring the long-term scalability, security, and effectiveness of critical business systems.
Working closely with executive stakeholders, technology teams, and external partners, you will drive both operational excellence and the delivery of major SAP programmes across multiple business functions.
Key Responsibilities
SAP Strategy & Transformation
- Define and lead the long-term SAP strategy and roadmap.
- Drive SAP transformation initiatives, including landscape simplification, modernisation, and optimisation.
- Ensure SAP solutions align with wider business objectives and future growth plans.
- Lead major ERP programmes and system improvement projects.
SAP Architecture & Governance
- Own the SAP application landscape and define target-state architecture.
- Establish governance frameworks covering solution design, change control, release management, and technical standards.
- Promote best practice principles to improve efficiency, standardisation, and platform stability.
- Ensure alignment between business requirements and technology delivery.
Service Delivery & Operations
- Maintain accountability for SAP service performance, availability, security, and compliance.
- Oversee application support, incident management, and service improvement activities.
- Drive operational excellence across internal teams and third-party providers.
- Ensure business-critical systems remain resilient and fit for purpose.
Vendor & Partner Management
- Manage relationships with strategic technology partners, system integrators, and managed service providers.
- Own supplier performance management, contract governance, and service reviews.
- Challenge proposed solutions and ensure delivery partners provide value and quality outcomes.
- Manage escalations and ensure effective resolution of critical issues.
Leadership & People Management
- Build, mentor, and develop high-performing SAP teams.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Provide leadership across both transformation programmes and BAU operations.
- Support succession planning and capability development within the SAP function.
Financial Management
- Own SAP budgets, forecasting, and cost optimisation initiatives.
- Ensure effective commercial management of SAP investments and service agreements.
- Drive value from technology spend while supporting business growth objectives.
Required Experience
- Significant experience leading SAP environments within large or complex organisations.
- Strong understanding of SAP ERP platforms and enterprise application ecosystems.
- Proven experience delivering SAP transformation programmes and strategic initiatives.
- Experience defining SAP roadmaps, governance frameworks, and operating models.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage at executive level.
- Experience managing third-party suppliers, managed services, and consulting partners.
- Strong financial management and budget ownership experience.
- Excellent understanding of service management, risk, compliance, and operational governance.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working within global or multi-site organisations.
- SAP S/4HANA programme leadership experience.
- Knowledge of cloud-based SAP environments and modern integration platforms.
- Experience leading ERP migrations, carve-outs, separations, or major transformation programmes.
- SAP certifications or relevant leadership qualifications.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with a strong delivery focus.
- Outstanding leadership and influencing skills.
- Able to operate effectively in complex, fast-paced environments.
- Strong commercial awareness and decision-making capability.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary of £75,000 - £80,000 + Bonus.
- Hybrid working in Cardiff
- Opportunity to shape the future SAP strategy of a major organisation.
- Leadership role with significant influence across technology and business functions.
- Exposure to large-scale transformation and modernisation programmes.
- Hybrid working model.
- Long-term career progression opportunities.
If you're an experienced SAP leader looking to drive enterprise-wide transformation and influence the future direction of a complex SAP landscape, we'd love to hear from you.