ERP Head (SAP)

Lonza•Tampa, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

10+ years of highly experienced IT leadership inside a complex, enterprise-level pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare organization.
Proven success leading at least three large-scale, global SAP deployments and rollouts with complex manufacturing footprints and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integrations.
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.
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.
Demonstrated proficiency governing large global capital investments ($5M–$30M CAPEX/OPEX structures) and managing mixed internal/managed services team matrices.
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is required.

Nice To Haves

A Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) or an advanced management discipline is preferred.
Professional Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, IPMA, or PMP) is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).