Senior IT Director, ERP Applications
Job Description
Job Overview
The Senior IT Director, ERP Applications owns Komatsu’s SAP S/4HANA transformation and long-term ERP operating model. This role is accountable for delivering a successful implementation and ensuring the organization is prepared to operate, support, and continuously improve the platform post go-live—driving system stability, adoption, and sustained business value.
As a trusted business and technology leader, this individual quickly builds credibility with executive and functional stakeholders, aligning ERP strategy, process design, and organizational readiness to fully embed ERP capabilities into day-to-day operations.
This role requires a leader with strong business acumen, deep technical expertise across platforms, and a proven track record leading large-scale transformation programs and complex vendor ecosystems.
What Success Looks Like
SAP S/4HANA operating as a stable, trusted enterprise platform
Clear business ownership of ERP-enabled processes
A scalable ERP support model with defined accountability
Measurable improvements in efficiency, data quality, and decision-making
Reduced post-go-live risk and reliance on external vendors over time
Key Job Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & Strategy
o Own the end‑to‑end ERP lifecycle, including transformation strategy, implementation delivery, and transition to steady‑state operations.
o Define and maintain a multi‑year ERP roadmap that integrates process harmonization, data standardization, technology modernization, and post‑go‑live optimization.
o Establish a clear ERP operating model that defines accountability for run, enhance, and innovate activities following implementation.
o Anticipate future technology, business, and industry trends to ensure ERP capabilities continue to enable enterprise performance.
Transformation, Stabilization & Operational Readiness
o Lead the full ERP lifecycle from design through deployment, stabilization, and transition to steady‑state operations.
o Ensure the organization is prepared to support, maintain, and evolve the ERP platform through clearly defined ownership, support structures, and operating processes.
o Own hypercare and stabilization phases, ensuring performance, adoption, and business confidence are established before transitioning to normal operations.
o Drive enterprise process harmonization and ensure standardized processes are embedded into daily operations and performance management.
Business Relationship Management
o Establish trust and credibility with executive and functional leaders by demonstrating deep understanding of their operational priorities and challenges.
o Operate as the enterprise integrator—aligning business strategy, process ownership, and ERP execution to deliver measurable performance improvements.
o Partner with business leaders to transition from a “project mindset” to operational ownership of ERP‑enabled processes.
o Ensure transparent, consistent communication of ERP performance, risks, and outcomes during both transformation and steady‑state operations.
Vendor & Partner Governance
o Serve as the single accountable executive owner for ERP vendors across implementation and post‑implementation support, ensuring delivery quality, operational stability, and value realization.
o Transition vendor engagement models from implementation‑focused delivery to sustainable support and optimization frameworks.
o Hold partners accountable for business outcomes, not just technical milestones.
Technology & Operations Oversight
o Ensure ERP platforms and surrounding systems operate reliably and securely during migration and in steady‑state operations.
o Establish ERP service management, monitoring, escalation, and performance metrics to support reliable day‑to‑day operations post‑go‑live.
o Own ERP operational risk management, including cybersecurity, compliance, licensing, and resilience.
o Ensure legacy systems are responsibly decommissioned or integrated following ERP deployment.
Talent Development & Team Leadership
o Build and lead a senior ERP leadership organization spanning ERP systems, enterprise applications, data/integration, and business transformation.
o Develop internal capabilities to support, operate, and continuously improve the ERP platform—reducing long‑term reliance on external partners.
o Create a culture that treats ERP as a long‑term enterprise capability, not a one‑time implementation.
Qualifications/Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree required (Business, IT, or related field); MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of IT experience, including 8–10 years in IT management or technology transformation leadership.
• Proven record of delivering global SAP S/4HANA transformations that achieved measurable business outcomes — including process harmonization, operational efficiency, and cost optimization.
• Proven experience transitioning large ERP programs from implementation into stable, scalable, and well‑governed steady‑state operations.
• Demonstrated ability to align IT strategy and architecture with enterprise process design and business goals.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, or asset-intensive industries strongly preferred.
• Visionary leadership with the ability to align IT with long-term business goals.
• Deep understanding of SAP S/4HANA ecosystem, integrations, and cloud platforms.
• Strong organizational change management capabilities and transformation delivery experience.
• Skilled in program governance, risk mitigation, and vendor relationship management.
• Solid grounding in cybersecurity, data governance, and compliance standards.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.