Manager, IT - Finance

Fortune Brands•Deerfield, IL

5d•$105,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Act as a key liaison between Information Technology (IT) and cross-functional business leaders, primarily Finance, for assigned units and vendors, ensuring alignment on strategic initiatives. Oversee the functional and technical design of financial systems, including configuration, application development, and support for global SAP deployments and continuous improvements. Design comprehensive test plans to assess infrastructure, security, technical developments, and functional configurations, providing actionable recommendations for enhancements. Lead design sessions to prototype new systems aimed at improving business processes, operations, and information flow across the ERP platform. Conduct feasibility studies for new systems, evaluating and selecting third-party software and vendors, while participating in "buy vs. build" decision-making processes. Contribute to the design of complex system and process architecture, including integration requirements and specification documentation. Proactively develop and conduct training on SAP functionalities and finance business processes to enhance user proficiency. Foster effective communication between business users and application developers to address key issues, resolve perception gaps, and clarify questions. Adhere to established change management and service management policies and procedures to ensure compliance and consistency. Manage both small and large project schedules, tracking progress and providing timely updates on issues impacting project timelines, while coordinating actions and resolving conflicts. Lead small-scale projects independently, managing stakeholders, budgets, project planning, and execution to achieve on-time delivery and meet budget KPIs. Drive the execution of major strategic initiatives by ensuring financial system and process readiness through effective design, development, testing, and change management. Manage and develop a team of functional and technical resources, as well as external staff augmentation, to achieve operational KPIs and goals. Measure and track operational metrics, reporting performance and risk assessments to senior management regularly. Gain a deep understanding of internal customers' business processes, key drivers of success, and both short- and long-term business and technology directions. Prioritize business demands for team capacity across strategic initiatives, operational support, and continuous improvements; develop estimates for upcoming projects and enhancements. Identify and propose business solutions, negotiating deliverables and requirements across various business units. Provide risk assessments for proposed solutions, offering mitigation strategies as necessary. Assess and identify opportunities for continuous improvements in business and system processes, assisting in developing relevant metrics. Support the compliance team with monthly and quarterly SOX audits, and assist with annual internal and external audit cycles, ensuring appropriate documentation and coordination. Willingness to be available 24/7 in an on-call rotation to address off-hour system emergencies.

Requirements

7+ years of IT experience supporting SAP FI/CO modules, along with integration knowledge in Sales and Distribution (SD) and Materials Management (MM).
Deep understanding of financial processes (basic technical knowledge is a plus) in SAP, including General Ledger, Closing, Tax, Accounts Receivable (A/R), Accounts Payable (A/P), Cost Elements, Profit Center Accounting, Fixed Assets, Cost Center Accounting, Internal Orders, Product Costing, and Investment Management in SAP ECC. Familiarity with SAP S/4HANA is a plus.
Experience with web services and system integrations.
Proven track record in managing small to large-scale SAP ERP implementations and migrations from SAP ECC to S/4HANA, ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Familiarity with Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.
Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to interpret customer business needs and translate them into operational requirements.
Proficient in oral and written communication with internal customers, IT teams, third-party vendors, and senior leadership.
Knowledge of IT ticketing and support systems such as ServiceNow, Jira, or Smartsheet in a Service Desk or Help Desk environment.
Understanding of both Waterfall and Agile methodologies.
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field is required. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
High energy and confidence with effective communication abilities to support users.
Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to driving actions for daily tasks and projects.
Willingness to be available 24/7 in an on-call rotation to address off-hour system emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with SAP S/4HANA is a plus.
PMP and/or CSM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Act as a key liaison between Information Technology (IT) and cross-functional business leaders, primarily Finance, for assigned units and vendors, ensuring alignment on strategic initiatives.
Oversee the functional and technical design of financial systems, including configuration, application development, and support for global SAP deployments and continuous improvements.
Design comprehensive test plans to assess infrastructure, security, technical developments, and functional configurations, providing actionable recommendations for enhancements.
Lead design sessions to prototype new systems aimed at improving business processes, operations, and information flow across the ERP platform.
Conduct feasibility studies for new systems, evaluating and selecting third-party software and vendors, while participating in "buy vs. build" decision-making processes.
Contribute to the design of complex system and process architecture, including integration requirements and specification documentation.
Proactively develop and conduct training on SAP functionalities and finance business processes to enhance user proficiency.
Foster effective communication between business users and application developers to address key issues, resolve perception gaps, and clarify questions.
Adhere to established change management and service management policies and procedures to ensure compliance and consistency.
Manage both small and large project schedules, tracking progress and providing timely updates on issues impacting project timelines, while coordinating actions and resolving conflicts.
Lead small-scale projects independently, managing stakeholders, budgets, project planning, and execution to achieve on-time delivery and meet budget KPIs.
Drive the execution of major strategic initiatives by ensuring financial system and process readiness through effective design, development, testing, and change management.
Manage and develop a team of functional and technical resources, as well as external staff augmentation, to achieve operational KPIs and goals.
Measure and track operational metrics, reporting performance and risk assessments to senior management regularly.
Gain a deep understanding of internal customers' business processes, key drivers of success, and both short- and long-term business and technology directions.
Prioritize business demands for team capacity across strategic initiatives, operational support, and continuous improvements; develop estimates for upcoming projects and enhancements.
Identify and propose business solutions, negotiating deliverables and requirements across various business units.
Provide risk assessments for proposed solutions, offering mitigation strategies as necessary.
Assess and identify opportunities for continuous improvements in business and system processes, assisting in developing relevant metrics.
Support the compliance team with monthly and quarterly SOX audits, and assist with annual internal and external audit cycles, ensuring appropriate documentation and coordination.
Willingness to be available 24/7 in an on-call rotation to address off-hour system emergencies.