ERP Senior Project Manager (Contractor)

MPS, a division of Macmillan Publishers, a leading US publisher of Trade and Academic titles, has a job opening for a ERP Senior Project Manager (Contractor). MPS provides back office support, warehousing, and, fulfillment for Macmillan US, and is their primary distribution facility for North America.

Position Summary:

The ERP Implementation Sr. Project Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for the successful end-to-end implementation and integration of SAP S/4HANA software systems across the organization. This role will lead and manage the overall program, encompassing multiple workstreams and project teams, ensuring alignment with business objectives, timelines, budget, and quality standards. The Sr. Project Manager will also directly lead and mentor a team of Project Managers responsible for individual workstreams within the SAP S/4HANA implementation program. Furthermore, this individual will serve as an Atlassian Jira and Confluence expert, responsible for maintaining Jira projects, project plans, and timelines, as well as building and managing dashboards, RAID logs, and project deliverables within Confluence to support the program's execution and transparency. This individual will be a seasoned program management professional with deep experience in large-scale ERP implementations, specifically SAP S/4HANA, demonstrated success in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and managing project management teams, a strong proficiency in utilizing the Atlassian suite for program management, and the ability to travel extensively both domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities:

• Program Leadership and Management:
  • Provide overall strategic direction and leadership for the SAP S/4HANA implementation program.
  • Develop and maintain the comprehensive program plan, including scope, timelines, budget, resources, and communication strategies.
  • Establish and manage program governance structures, including steering committees and working groups.
  • Monitor program progress, identify and proactively manage risks, issues, and dependencies across all workstreams.
  • Ensure adherence to established methodologies, standards, and best practices for ERP implementations.
  • Manage the program budget, track expenditures, and ensure financial accountability.
  • Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across all project teams, business stakeholders, and external partners.
  • Report program status, risks, and issues to executive leadership and stakeholders on a regular basis.
  • Drive decision-making processes at the program level.
  • Oversee change management activities related to the ERP implementation.
  • Ensure successful transition to the new SAP S/4HANA environment.
  • Manage vendor relationships and contracts related to the implementation.

• Team Leadership and Mentorship:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers responsible for managing individual workstreams within the SAP S/4HANA program (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, Sales, Technical).
  • Provide guidance, support, and oversight to the Project Managers in their planning, execution, and issue resolution efforts.
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports.
  • Ensure Project Managers are utilizing consistent methodologies and tools.

• SAP S/4HANA Expertise:
  • Leverage deep knowledge and understanding of SAP S/4HANA functionalities, implementation methodologies (e.g., SAP Activate), and best practices.
  • Collaborate with functional and technical teams to ensure the SAP S/4HANA solution meets business requirements.
  • Stay abreast of the latest SAP S/4HANA updates, trends, and innovations.

• Stakeholder Management:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key business stakeholders across different departments and levels of the organization, both domestically and internationally.
  • Understand their business needs and ensure the SAP S/4HANA implementation addresses those needs effectively.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure alignment throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Act as a point of escalation for stakeholder concerns related to the program.

• Quality and Compliance:
  • Ensure the SAP S/4HANA implementation adheres to relevant quality standards and compliance requirements.
  • Oversee testing strategies and ensure thorough testing of the implemented system.
  • Facilitate audits and reviews as necessary.