ERP Head (SAP)

ERP Head (SAP)

Location: Tampa, FL, USA. <Relocation and assistance available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.>

Schedule: Monday – Friday (Standard Business Hours / Global Flexibility Required)

We are seeking an executive leader to join us as the ERP Head (SAP) in Tampa, Florida. Reporting directly to the US-based Divisional Information Officer (DIO), you will hold end-to-end accountability for the governance, global delivery, and operational stability of our entire ERP landscape. Operating with extensive strategic latitude, you will spearhead a high-stakes transformation: leading the complete replacement of our legacy SAP environment to enable a seamless standalone separation from Lonza. In this role, you will define the steady-state operating model, manage a global budget of $5M–$30M, and lead a high-performing team of 25–50 internal and external professionals to drive continuous, GxP-compliant system optimizations.

What will you get?

• An agile career and dynamic working culture

• An inclusive and ethical workplace

• Compensation programs that recognize high performance

• Comprehensive regional benefits package, retirement mapping, and generous PTO

• Our full list of global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What you’ll do:

• SAP System Replacement & Separation: Own the end-to-end delivery and execution model of the core SAP replacement program, strictly aligned with Transition Service Agreement (TSA) timelines to guarantee a successful standalone business separation.

• Global Rollout & Post-Go-Live Stabilization: Define the scope, architecture roadmaps, and cutover protocols for a structured multi-site deployment; lead hypercare support phases to transition the platform into steady-state operations without service degradation.

• GxP Compliance & Computer Systems Validation (CSV): Manage the ERP environment in strict compliance with life science quality regulations; ensure all system lifecycle phases, data migrations, and access control models adhere to CSV/CSA frameworks and ALCOA+ data integrity principles.

• Operating Model Architecture: Build and scale the SAP internal capability team (5–10 direct, 20–40 indirect reports); lead knowledge-transfer protocols from Tier 1 system integrators to internal personnel to establish clear accountability.

• Operational Stability & Support: Establish a robust SAP production support architecture using a combined internal and Managed Services model to guarantee 24/7 high-availability system performance across geographically dispersed sites.

• Strategic Business Partnering: Act as an internal liaison between Group IT and global business leaders to prioritize system demands, translate operational strategies into deliverable SAP solutions, and drive deep process standardization.

• Vendor & Contract Governance: Select and govern external system integrators, third-party technical vendors, and cloud infrastructure partners; negotiate multi-million-dollar contracts, manage budgets, and enforce strict SLA metrics.

• Inspection Readiness & QMS Integration: Maintain continuous, audit-ready positioning throughout the program lifecycle; oversee the resolution of IT deviations, incidents, and CAPAs within the corporate Quality Management System (QMS).

What we’re looking for:

• Experience: 10+ years of highly experienced IT leadership inside a complex, enterprise-level pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare organization.

• SAP Delivery Track Record: Proven success leading at least three large-scale, global SAP deployments and rollouts with complex manufacturing footprints and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integrations.

• Validation & Regulatory Expertise: Deep domain expertise managing high-availability IT application portfolios within a 24/7 regulated manufacturing landscape, including deep knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, data privacy laws, and GxP standards.

• Executive Presence & Stakeholder Management: Masterful interpersonal and business partnering capabilities; ability to manage complex cross-functional conflicts, challenge the status quo, and translate technical jargon into clear, business-focused language.

• Budget & Resource Mastery: Demonstrated proficiency governing large global capital investments ($5M–$30M CAPEX/OPEX structures) and managing mixed internal/managed services team m