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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for ERP Project Manager

💰 $120,000 - $185,000

Project ManagementITTechnologyERPBusiness Systems

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a strategic and results-driven ERP Project Manager to join our dynamic team. In this critical role, you will be the driving force behind the successful implementation and enhancement of our Enterprise Resource Planning systems. You will orchestrate the efforts of cross-functional teams, manage relationships with key stakeholders and vendors, and steer complex projects from initial concept through to successful completion. The ideal candidate is a master of both the technical and human elements of transformation, capable of translating business needs into technical solutions while expertly navigating change management to ensure seamless adoption and maximum return on investment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Business Analyst (ERP Specialization)
  • IT Project Lead / Coordinator
  • ERP Functional Consultant or Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior ERP Program Manager
  • Director of Business Systems / Enterprise Applications
  • Director of IT / VP of Information Technology

Lateral Moves:

  • IT Portfolio Manager
  • CRM Project Manager
  • Digital Transformation Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and manage the entire lifecycle of enterprise-wide ERP implementation projects, from initial discovery and planning through to deployment, stabilization, and post-go-live support.
  • Develop comprehensive, integrated project plans that include scope definition, detailed work breakdown structures, resource allocation, timelines, and financial budgets for complex ERP initiatives.
  • Act as the central point of communication, proactively managing and reporting on project status, risks, issues, and decisions to executive sponsors, steering committees, and key stakeholders.
  • Facilitate cross-functional workshops and meetings with business leaders and subject matter experts to gather requirements, define future-state business processes, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
  • Manage relationships with ERP software vendors, system integrators, and third-party consultants, ensuring adherence to statements of work (SOW), service level agreements (SLAs), and project milestones.
  • Develop and execute a robust risk management plan, identifying potential project roadblocks, assessing their impact, and implementing proactive mitigation and contingency strategies.
  • Oversee the project budget meticulously, tracking expenditures, forecasting financial needs, and ensuring the project is delivered within approved financial constraints.
  • Champion and implement a comprehensive organizational change management (OCM) strategy, including communication plans, stakeholder analysis, and user training programs to drive adoption and minimize business disruption.
  • Direct and coordinate the activities of a diverse project team, including business analysts, functional consultants, technical developers, and QA testers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
  • Define and govern project scope, implementing formal change control procedures to manage and assess the impact of requested changes on schedule, budget, and resources.
  • Oversee the development of a detailed data migration strategy, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and completeness of data being transferred from legacy systems to the new ERP platform.
  • Plan and manage all testing phases, including unit testing, system integration testing (SIT), and user acceptance testing (UAT), to ensure the solution is robust, reliable, and meets business requirements.
  • Establish and enforce project management standards, methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid), and best practices to ensure consistent and high-quality project delivery.
  • Develop detailed cutover plans for the transition from legacy systems to the new ERP, orchestrating all technical and business activities to ensure a smooth and successful go-live event.
  • Provide strong leadership and mentorship to the project team, resolving conflicts, removing obstacles, and motivating team members to achieve project goals.
  • Ensure the creation and maintenance of thorough project documentation, including project charters, business requirements documents, process flows, and technical specifications.
  • Collaborate with IT infrastructure and security teams to ensure the ERP solution aligns with the company's technical architecture, security policies, and compliance standards.
  • Conduct post-implementation reviews to evaluate project success, capture lessons learned, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in both the system and project management processes.
  • Translate complex business requirements into functional specifications for the ERP system, bridging the gap between business stakeholders and the technical implementation team.
  • Manage the resolution of complex functional and technical issues, triaging problems and coordinating with appropriate resources to ensure timely and effective solutions.
  • Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics to measure the project's impact and ensure the realization of expected business benefits and ROI.
  • Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and dashboards that clearly articulate project progress, challenges, and outcomes to senior leadership.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc business analysis requests and provide insights on system capabilities.
  • Contribute to the organization's long-term enterprise application strategy and technology roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate ongoing operational needs into system enhancement requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for post-launch continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP Systems Expertise: Deep functional knowledge of at least one major ERP platform (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O, Infor).
  • Full-Cycle Project Management: Proven experience managing at least two full-lifecycle ERP implementations from start to finish.
  • Project Management Methodologies: Mastery of various frameworks, including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and Hybrid approaches, and the ability to select the right one for the project.
  • Project Management Software: Advanced proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet, or similar platforms for planning, tracking, and reporting.
  • Budget & Financial Management: Strong ability to create, manage, and report on large-scale project budgets, including forecasting and variance analysis.
  • Vendor & Contract Management: Expertise in negotiating and managing statements of work (SOWs), and building strong partnerships with software vendors and implementation consultants.
  • Data Migration Strategy: Solid understanding of data governance, data cleansing techniques, and the complexities of migrating large, critical datasets.
  • Business Process Re-engineering (BPR): Skill in analyzing "as-is" business processes and collaborating with stakeholders to design optimized "to-be" processes.
  • System Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Comprehensive knowledge of all phases of the SDLC, including requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment.
  • Risk Management Frameworks: Ability to formally identify, assess, quantify, and mitigate project risks and issues in a structured manner.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams without direct authority and influence decisions at all levels of the organization.
  • Executive Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, concise messages for C-level stakeholders.
  • Stakeholder Management: Adept at building relationships, managing expectations, and navigating the political landscape of a large organization.
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: A skilled negotiator who can find mutually agreeable solutions and resolve conflicts effectively.
  • Strategic & Critical Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, understand strategic business goals, and align project execution accordingly.
  • Problem-Solving: A tenacious problem-solver who can dissect complex issues and drive them to resolution.
  • Change Management: A passionate advocate for change who can guide individuals, teams, and the organization through transformation.
  • Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and can manage ambiguity with composure.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (MBA, M.S. in Information Systems).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2, or Agile (CSM) certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Computer Science / Information Systems
  • Engineering or a related technical field

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 7-12 years of professional experience, with at least 5 years in a dedicated project management role focused on enterprise-level software implementations.

Preferred:

  • Direct, hands-on experience managing a global, multi-site ERP implementation project. Experience in the manufacturing, retail, or professional services industry is a significant plus.
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