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 matrices.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is required. A Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) or an advanced management discipline is preferred.

• Certifications: Professional Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, IPMA, or PMP) is highly preferred.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.