Senior Manager, Transformation and Architecture

Brown‑Forman Corporation • Louisville, KY

4d

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Transformation & Architecture is responsible for leading the research, innovation and end-to-end execution of strategic initiatives in the SAP application landscape. This role directs a multi-disciplinary team of internal functional process and technical architects to identify, prototype, and deploy emerging technologies. Focusing on the 12-24 month strategic horizon, this role ensures that the organization’s technical and functional roadmaps are innovative and architecturally sound, while maintaining a high level of institutional knowledge and proprietary expertise. By adhering to the B-F IT project management methodology, this role ensures that transformational projects are completed on time, within scope, and in accordance with the standards set by the Development Center of Excellence (CoE).

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field of study.
• 10+ years of professional experience in SAP architecture, IT transformation, or software R&D, with a proven track record of leading large-scale strategic initiatives.
• Significant experience in managing and mentoring senior-level internal professional staff in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-ambiguity projects and move them through to implementation within a structured project management methodology.
• Advanced knowledge of both functional business processes and technical SAP architecture.
• Skilled at balancing the workloads of functional and technical resources to maximize team efficiency and quality standards.
• Ability to translate complex business requirements into executable project plans and technical workstreams.
• Exceptional ability to work in "white space," identifying technical solutions for business problems that do not yet have an established market standard.
• Deep understanding of an IT project management methodology and the ability to apply it to experimental and rapid-prototype environments.
• Strong verbal and written interpersonal skills, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule 24x7 to support critical system outages.
• Ability to work in a high pressure environment and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Technology Management.
• Certifications in Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF) or SAP-specific architectural frameworks.
• Proven experience establishing an innovation pipeline or S/4HANA initiatives across multiple SAP functional modules (OTC, PP, MM, FICO).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and deployment of the long-term application roadmap, ensuring that future-state functional and technical architectures support global business growth.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of transformational initiatives, moving projects from initial research and Proof of Concept (PoC) through to pilot deployment and enterprise-wide implementation.
• Direct and develop a high-performing team of internal functional and technical architects, fostering a culture of rapid innovation and deep subject matter expertise.
• Partner with executive leadership to translate complex corporate strategies into functional blueprints and technical prototypes that demonstrate the art of the possible.
• Manage transformation projects according to the B-F IT project management methodology, ensuring all experimental and pilot builds meet rigorous standards for documentation, testing, integrations, and security.
• Serve as the lead steward of our internal technical and functional knowledge, ensuring that the blueprints for our systems and innovation roadmap strategies are internally owned and documented.
• Collaborate closely with the Development Center of Excellence (CoE) to ensure that transformational solutions are built for long-term scalability and can be successfully transitioned to the Delivery and Operations pillars.
• Maintain high-level relationships with SAP and other technology partners to influence product roadmaps and gain early access to emerging capabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees