Global Head of ERP Technology Transformation

Company Description

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Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE : RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories : apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality.

For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.

The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced ERP Transformation Technology Head to lead our organization's enterprise resource planning (ERP) transformation initiative.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end implementation of a new ERP system, ensuring alignment with business objectives and driving digital transformation across the organization.

This role will be a key leader on the Enterprise Technology team. The role requires a balance of technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership skills to successfully navigate the complexities of a large-scale ERP transformation initiative.

As the ERP Transformation Technology Head, you will be at the forefront of driving our company's digital future. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the technological backbone of our organization for years to come.

You'll be instrumental in leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and IoT to create a truly intelligent enterprise.

Your work will not only transform our IT landscape but will also catalyze business innovation, enabling new business models, enhancing customer experiences, and driving competitive advantage.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership : Develop and articulate the long-term vision for the organization's ERP ecosystem. Align ERP strategy with overall business objectives and digital transformation initiatives.

Collaborate with C-suite executives to ensure IT strategies support business growth and innovation.

Program Management : Oversee the entire ERP transformation program, including multiple projects and workstreams. Manage program budget.

Establish program governance, including steering committees, change control boards, and reporting structures. Collaborate with internal team partners to lead the project management process, resource allocation, and planning models to enable focused execution of global strategic program.

Vendor Management : Lead the selection process for ERP software vendors and implementation partners. Negotiate contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) with vendors.

Manage ongoing relationships with key technology partners and system integrators.

Team Leadership : Build and lead a high-performing team of IT professionals. Oversee the work of multiple project managers, business analysts, and technical specialists.

Collaborate with HR to develop talent acquisition and retention strategies for the ERP team.

Business Process Transformation : Drive the redesign and optimization of core business processes across all functional areas.

Ensure standardization and best practices are implemented across the organization. Identify opportunities for process automation and continuous improvement.

Technology Architecture : Define the overall technical architecture for the ERP ecosystem. Ensure integration with other enterprise systems (e.

g., CRM, SCM, BI tools). Make decisions on cloud vs. on-premises deployments and hybrid architectures.

Data Management : Oversee data migration strategies from legacy systems to the new ERP. Establish data governance policies and ensure data quality across the organization.

Develop strategies for master data management and data analytics.

Security and Compliance : Ensure the ERP system meets all relevant security standards and compliance requirements. Collaborate with the Information Security team to implement robust security measures.

Stay informed about industry-specific regulations and their impact on ERP implementation.

Performance Management : Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for the ERP transformation program. Implement monitoring and reporting systems to track program progress and system performance.

Conduct regular reviews and audits to ensure the program remains on track.

Stakeholder Management : Act as the primary liaison between IT and business units for all ERP-related matters. Manage expectations of diverse stakeholder groups, from end-users to board members.

Manage ongoing communication of program status, deliverables and results with partners and cross-functional regional teams, as well as any risks, issues and mitigation plans.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement : Stay abreast of emerging technologies and their potential application in ERP systems.

Develop roadmaps for post-implementation enhancements and upgrades. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the IT organization.

Risk Management : Identify and mitigate risks associated with the ERP transformation program. Develop contingency plans for potential issues such as budget overruns, timeline delays, or technical challenges.

Ensure business continuity during the transition from legacy systems to the new ERP.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

Education : Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field (required).

Master's degree in a relevant field (preferred). Professional certifications such as PMP, ITIL, or ERP-specific certifications (e.

g., SAP, Oracle) are highly desirable.

Work Experience : Minimum 10-15 years of experience in IT, with at least 7 years specifically in ERP implementation and management.

Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale ERP transformation projects, preferably in multiple industries. Experience with full project lifecycle, from requirements gathering to post-implementation support.

Demonstrated ability to manage budgets exceeding $10 million and teams of 50+ members.

Technical Knowledge : In-depth understanding of at least one major ERP platform (e.g., SAP S / 4HANA, Oracle ERP Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365).

Familiarity with other enterprise systems and their integration with ERP (e.g., CRM, SCM, HCM). Knowledge of data migration, system integration, and business intelligence tools.

Understanding of cloud technologies and their application in ERP systems. Awareness of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT in the context of ERP.

Business Acumen : Strong understanding of business processes across various functions (Finance, HR, Supply Chain, etc.

Experience in business process reengineering and optimization. Ability to translate business requirements into technical specifications.

Knowledge of industry-specific regulatory requirements and compliance standards.

Leadership and Soft Skills : Proven leadership experience, including managing diverse, cross-functional teams. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Strong negotiation and vendor management skills. Change management expertise, including experience with user adoption strategies.

Ability to influence C-level executives and build consensus among stakeholders.

Project Management : Extensive experience with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid). Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.

Experience in risk management and mitigation strategies specific to ERP implementations.

Industry Knowledge : Deep understanding of industry trends and best practices in ERP and digital transformation. Experience in the company's specific industry sector is preferred.

Awareness of global business practices and their impact on ERP implementations.

Analytical Skills : Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Experience with data analysis and reporting tools.

Ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.

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