Vice President, SAP Programs & Implementation

The businesses of SGS & Co and SGK have united to form Propelis, a go-to-market ecosystem that enables marketers to move their brands forward with greater speed, clarity, and confidence. Our broad range of integrated solutions include brand creative, packaging, print solutions, branded environments, and content production. Services are delivered through our family of brands: SGX, Marks, Equator, Collide, and 5Flow. With a combined legacy spanning more than 150 years, Propelis commences operations with 10,000 employees in 30+ countries, nearly $1 billion in annual sales, and a diverse client base of over 2,000 leading companies.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Vice President, SAP Programs & Implementation is responsible for planning, managing, and delivering strategic SAP programs and implementation projects across the enterprise. This includes SAP rollouts, new module implementations, system migrations, large-scale integrations, and the integration of third-party systems and proprietary company solutions into the SAP landscape.

This role partners closely with the SAP Service Line Vice President who oversees ongoing operations, governance, and application lifecycle management. While the SAP Service Line VP ensures the stability and optimization of existing SAP systems, the VP of SAP Programs & Implementation focuses on the execution of new initiatives, ensuring that SAP solutions are delivered effectively, on time, and in alignment with business transformation goals.

This position requires deep experience in SAP project management, hands-on leadership of cross-functional teams, and an ability to translate business goals into actionable technology initiatives. The VP will oversee internal and external project teams, collaborate with global stakeholders, and ensure program governance, risk management, and alignment with enterprise priorities.

The position also serves as a key liaison between evolving business requirements and the IT execution of SAP projects, ensuring alignment of solutions with organizational goals and user needs.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Define and manage a portfolio of SAP implementation projects across business units and geographies.
• Lead the end-to-end project lifecycle-from initiation and business case development through deployment, hypercare, and handoff to operations.
• Own the SAP implementation roadmap in alignment with enterprise transformation goals, in close collaboration with the SAP Service Line VP.
• Establish scalable program governance frameworks, stage gates, and executive steering routines.
• Maintain a continuous understanding of evolving business needs and proactively adapt the SAP program roadmap to support strategic initiatives.
• Ensure project governance aligns with enterprise architecture, ITIL standards, and SAP governance models in coordination with the SAP Service Line VP.
• Maintain continuous awareness of emerging technology trends in SAP and related ecosystems, and assess their relevance to business transformation efforts.

Project Execution & Delivery

• Plan and manage complex SAP projects including new module implementations (e.g., TM, EWM, Group Reporting), system migrations, country rollouts, carve-outs, and integrations.
• Lead cross-functional delivery teams, including business users, IT, external systems integrators, and SAP consultants.
• Enforce project management standards (scope, time, cost, risk) and track KPIs across projects.
• Provide hands-on leadership in solving issues and mitigating risks to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Act as the primary bridge between business process owners and technical delivery teams, translating business needs into executable SAP initiatives.
• Ensure proper documentation, knowledge transfer, and readiness for transition to operational support teams post-implementation.

Stakeholder & Change Management

• Partner closely with executive sponsors, functional leadership, and business process owners to align projects with value realization targets.
• Develop and maintain a structured reporting and communication cadence to keep stakeholders informed, facilitate decision-making, and escalate risks or roadblocks to the appropriate levels.
• Drive organizational change management, communication planning, training, and business readiness activities.
• Facilitate recurring forums for internal alignment, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder updates.
• Ensure end-user adoption and successful transition to support after go-live.

Resource & Vendor Management

• Oversee SAP implementation partners, ensuring contract adherence, high-quality deliverables, compliance with project timelines, and cost-effectiveness.
• Evaluate, onboard, and manage third-party vendors including system integrators, solution consultants, and offshore/nearshore delivery teams.
• Define and enforce vendor engagement models, service-level agreements (SLAs), and escalation paths to ensure consistent performance and accountability.
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews using scorecards, KPIs, and stakeholder feedback to assess delivery quality and alignment with program goals.
• Manage internal SAP resources across a dynamic portfolio of initiatives, balancing project priorities with capacity constraints.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to forecast resource needs, identify skill gaps, and proactively plan staffing to support current and future SAP programs.
• Partner with HR and the SAP CoE to recruit, retain, and develop top SAP talent across functional, technical, and program management domains.
• Foster a culture of excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement within internal and external delivery teams.

Performance & Compliance

• Monitor performance against baseline metrics (budget, schedule, benefits realization).
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, compliance requirements, and data governance standards.
• Define KPIs and benefit realization metrics for each implementation and track performance throughout the program lifecycle.
• Capture and institutionalize lessons learned and drive continuous improvement in project delivery practices.

Perform all other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of SAP project managers, solution architects, functional experts, and contractors.
• Indirect oversight of matrixed business teams during implementation phases.
• Manage vendor delivery teams and implementation partners.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Regularly/Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Business, or related field required. MBA or PMP certification preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of SAP project leadership experience, including large global implementations.
• Strong knowledge of SAP ECC and related systems, with at least one full lifecycle implementation in a lead role.
• Expertise in multiple SAP modules (e.g., FI, CO, MM, SD, PP), and proven experience integrating legacy systems.
• Track record of successful project execution across multiple countries and business units.
• Deep experience with SAP Activate or ASAP methodology, and project delivery frameworks such as PMI or PRINCE2.
• Familiarity with manufacturing or professional services industries strongly preferred.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a bias toward execution and results.
• Demonstrated ability to remain current on SAP and enterprise technology trends and incorporate them into project strategy and planning

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

This is a remote position in the US. We are open to candidates in various states, with the exception of those residing in the following: AK, DC, DE, ME, NH, NM, OK, HI, MS, MT, NV, NE, ND, SD, VT, WY, WV

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $220,000 - $230,000 annually. Ultimately, in determining pay, we will consider the successful candidate's location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Group benefits currently include a selection of health care plans with prescription drug coverage, dental plan, vision plan, basic and supplemental life insurance, a flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses or a health savings account based on plan selection, short/long term disability and 401(k) Savings Plan.

Masters (preferred)
Bachelors (required)

Demonstrated ability to remain current on SAP and enterprise technology trends and incorporate them into project strategy and planning (required)
Familiarity with manufacturing or professional services industries strongly preferred. (preferred)
Deep experience with SAP Activate or ASAP methodology, and project delivery frameworks such as PMI or PRINCE2. (required)
Track record of successful project execution across multiple countries and business units. (required)
Expertise in multiple SAP modules (e.g., FI, CO, MM, SD, PP), and proven experience integrating legacy systems. (required)
Strong knowledge of SAP ECC and related systems, with at least one full lifecycle implementation in a lead role. (required)
10 years: Years of SAP project leadership experience, including large global implementations (required)