SAP PROGRAM DIRECTOR

None Specified - Type Contract The ERP Implementation Program Director is responsible for the hands-on management and execution of the SAP S/4HANA implementation for a large-scale pharmaceutical company.
The director will ensure the timely delivery of project milestones, manage cross-functional teams, control project costs, and ensure the ERP system integrates seamlessly across all business processes, including manufacturing, supply chain, R&D, and regulatory compliance.
The role requires a focus on execution and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
The role reports to CFO, the leader and main sponsor of the program.
Key Responsibilities.
1.
Project Planning and Execution.
o Develop and execute detailed project plans, timelines, and deliverables for the SAP S/4HANA implementation.
o Lead and manage day-to-day project activities across all implementation phases (blueprinting, design, testing, data migration, go-live).
o Create and maintain detailed project schedules, ensuring o all tasks are completed on time and escalate issues that may impact project deadlines.
o Coordinate with teams to manage system integration, data migration, and configuration processes, ensuring smooth transitions between different project stages.
2.
Cross-Functional Team Management.
o Oversee and coordinate cross-functional teams, including IT, business stakeholders, and third-party implementation partners.
o Assign tasks, monitor progress, and ensure accountability for team members to meet project deadlines.
o Ensure clear communication across all teams, maintaining alignment on project objectives and deliverables.
o Facilitate daily and weekly status meetings to track project progress, addressing any emerging risks or issues.
o Manage resource availability to ensure tasks are allocated efficiently, minimizing delays.
3.
Cost Control and Resource Management.
For a healthier world o Track project costs, monitor vendor contracts and invoicing to ensure alignment with project deliverables and services rendered.
o Ensure efficient use of internal and external resources, tracking and reporting on resource utilization to control expenses.
4.
Timely Project Execution.
o Ensure that all key project milestones are met on time, with continuous monitoring of progress and immediate escalation of any issues threatening deadlines.
o Track and manage project timelines daily, using project management tools (e.
., MS Project, Jira) to visualize schedules, dependencies, and critical path tasks.
o Facilitate quick decision-making processes with stakeholders to avoid delays in project execution.
o Manage go-live activities, ensuring the system is ready for deployment without disruption to business operations.
5.
Testing, Training, and Go-Live.
o Oversee unit, integration, and user acceptance testing (UAT), ensuring all tests are completed and any defects are resolved on time.
o Coordinate the development and delivery of end-user training programs, ensuring users are well-prepared for system go-live.
o Manage the final go-live process, ensure post-go-live support teams are ready to handle any issues that arise after system deployment.
6.
Risk Management and Issue Resolution.
o Proactively identify, document, and manage risks throughout the project lifecycle, implementing risk mitigation strategies as needed.
o Address project roadblocks, managing change requests and ensuring no disruptions to critical timelines.
o Lead issue resolution processes, including the tracking and closure of all open issues, defects, or concerns raised during testing or user acceptance phases.
7.
Compliance and Documentation.
o Ensure that the SAP S/4HANA system is fully compliant with pharmaceutical industry regulations, including GxP, FDA, and others.
o Oversee all required system validation activities to ensure compliance with bot