IT Innovation Manager - CD IT - SAP Basis - FMCG

Job Position : Manager, Innovation, CD IT, SAP Basis

CD IT Projects :

Within CD, the team implements multiple IT solutions.

In the Route to Market (RtM) area, implementing projects that deliver critical functionality to our Exclusive Distributors and help our growth agenda.

In areas of Retail Execution, we are rolling out mobility solutions that help company salesmen manage the Order to Cash Process in General Trade.

- We are also implementing solutions for Perfect Stores implementation in both the Modern and General Trade.

- Trade Funds management is a key area of focus for growth and this also has multiple projects in progress

- An emerging area is eCommerce and new projects are also being initiated in this area.

These programs are delivering capabilities in the areas of :

- Mobile solutions for the salesman delivering core functionalities like Order Taking, Collections, Permanent Journey Plan, Promotions Management

- Advanced Analytics that help improve Assortment and On Shelf Availability and

- Distributor Mgmt Solution for warehouse operations in company Distributor Sites

eCommerce solutions for specific products :

- Windows and SAP Based Trade Funds Management solutions

- Many of the solutions are hosted on the cloud and some are based on a SaaS platform

- We use diverse technologies like SAP, Salesforce, Spring wireless, Android & iOS apps as the technology basis for these solutions

The CD IT space will drive the growth agenda in key markets across the globe and provide with a competitive advantage. The programs delivered in conjunction with the CD functions will be rolled out in markets across the world.

Role Details :

- The Innovation Manager, SAP Basis will be responsible for lead, managing the health Online Distributor Management System (DMS) Solution.

- The DMS solution implemented by company is based on SAP ISR, SAP BW and SAP PI. The solution is implemented in 15 countries across South East Asia & Australia, Africa, South Asia & Middle East.

- More than 500 Distributors use the solution and the number of distributors is growing. Upt to 1B Euros of company business is executed through this solution.

- The Manager will be responsible for strategy and executing of SAP Basis projects to design and deploy solutions that will deliver a highly resilient, stable system that meets system performance requirements.

- The responsibilities of this role will include includes owning the SAP Application landscape, roadmap creation in relationship with SAP, Maintaining the health of the SAP landscape, Design to delivery of projects to meet new rollout and deployment needs, Vendor management, definition and delivery against program timelines, estimates and budget ownership for SAP Landscape projects, quality of delivery, adherence to the release plans and processes and support to the Application Maintenance teams on critical/complex issues.

Accountabilities and responsibilities :

Following are the deliverables that an Innovation Manager would be responsible for :

Driving Innovations :

- Identify new technologies & tools that will help provide a stable, resilient SAP landscape. Working with the CTO to pilot and assess the technologies and products

- Conceptualising, Designing, Delivery to Deployment of Solutions for stability of solutions including version upgrade, Early watch alerts activities, Solution Manager usage,

- Provisioning of new systems and SAP products

Vendor management :

- Managing the budgets, relationship and delivery engagement with vendors

Sustenance & Resilience :

- Ensure Sustenance and Resilience of solutions delivered

- Quality of delivery of solution components

- Managing the lifecycle of the solution including versions, upgrades, compatibility and health of solution

Driving Innovations :

- Responsible for planning of deliveries and delivery against timelines, budgets and quality

- Accountability for stability of solution once it is deployed in markets and oversight of AM teams. Ownership of critical & complex issues that are beyond the capabilities of the AM team

- Lead delivery of all agreed projects, from Feasibility phase to completion

a) In the Ideas phase, provide support to Business Engagement and ensuring that the solution capacity and design can meet the business requirements

b) Identify the right design, solution for the business requirements, own the technical specifications and work packages for delivering the solution

c) Work in close partnership with the SAP & vendors to ensure on-time and on-budget execution of project deliverables as per budget and timelines

- Define SAP Landscape Management standards & ensure Technical and Security standards are implemented and adhered to during design and implementation

- Ensure smooth transition to support with all knowledge captured.

- Develop strong relationships with other key stakeholders within IT

- Identify innovations, growth opportunities & new technologies & products for exploration

- Implement Pilots and Proof of Concepts for new technologies and Products

- Implement processes and tools that will provide proactive management of capacity and health of the SAP systems like Early Watch Alerts, Sol Mgr Monitoring, Upgrades planning & execution, review of bottlenecks and implementation of remedial actions

- Put in place processes & strategies for transports management, system landscape refresh, user provisioning using tools like Solution Manager & Charm

Vendor Management :

- Responsible for managing the relationship with SAP and other vendors for SAP Landscape Scope

- Lead functional and technical design reviews (QA process) with strategic IT suppliers and/or other 3rd parties when/where appropriate

- Hold vendors accountable for quality and timeliness of deliveries through governance mechanisms

- Ensure adequate knowledge sharing and retention through documentation and adherence to GPD

Drive TCO :

- Drive simplification to support the lowest possible TCO for each component in the systems landscape.

- Deliver above responsibilities within an agreed financial charging structure and budget

- Adopt methodologies of convergence, build once so that the cost of delivery is reduced

Sustenance & Resilience :

- Develop and maintain the roadmap for IT systems architecture change/refresh in line with destination architecture and aligned with business priorities for change projects and programmes

- Lead activities to ensure system hygiene, performance and health including upgrade planning and execution

- Work with the release management teams to ensure gate process and release process is adhered to

- To work with the AM teams not only for transition of new projects, but also support of existing processes to ensure user satisfaction and call reduction

- Plan for infrastructure needs, service transition and work with the Infrastructure teams for delivering it

- Ensure minimal business disruption. In case of a disruption, work with AM teams to resolve the issue and the root cause with less downtime

- Ensure a stable and resilient system - this should be ensured in project delivery & BAU

Process and Technology knowledge required :

Main Associated Technologies / Applications (one or more of these applications) :

- Strong SAP Basis Skills & Experience

- SAP ISR/ECC, BW, EP and SAP PI Management Experience

- Solution Manager & CHARM

- SAP Architecture and roadmap

- SAP Upgrades preferable

- Cloud Technologies & Virtualization, Hosting

Direct Reports Key Interfaces :

- Analysts for related technical areas - CD IT Business Partners

- Vendor Project Managers and Delivery Teams - Other IT Teams

- Cloud Hosting Partners teams o Other Innovation Managers and Project Teams

a) Geography IT Teams

b) Infrastructure, Network and Security Teams

c) Application Maintenance & Service Delivery Teams

- SAP TQMs and Max Attention

- Strategic IT Partners and their Exec Teams

- Procurement & Supplier Management Teams

Critical success Factors for the Job :

KPIs Relevant Experience :

- Proven experience in managing SAP Infrastructure & Basis

- Project Delivered on time in budget - Proven experience in working with global teams in a diverse and extended environment

- Solutions delivered with no or low impact on existing system performance/operation - Very strong understanding of SAP systems of architecture decisions on stability and performance

- Solution harmonization and adherence to best practice standards Large & complex SAP landscapes management

- Health of the Solution & Stability Designing and owning the roadmap for SAP landscapes taking into account SAP trends and products

- Experience in SAP Upgrades and Capacity Management

- Experience in Early Watch Alerts & remedial actions

- Strong Communication & Project Management Skills