ERP Technology and Lifecycle Manager

iSHIFT PROGRAM

Sanofi is engaging into a review program of its current Back-Office and Finance Systems practices through the implementation of a Global ERP (the iSHIFT project) and Core Models on Finance/Supply chain suite. The transformation program aims at simplifying processes, delivering state-of-the-art global systems with end-to-end process integration, establishing one source of truth on master data and a common automated internal control framework, and improving integration or divestment capabilities through a standardized methodology.

ERP PLATFORMS AND SYSTEMS UNIT

ERP Platforms and Systems is a cross-disciplinary team in the wider Sanofi Digital organization. It is focused on providing state-of-the-art solutions using various technologies and platforms: from a modern S/4 layer and classical ECC-based systems, up to a growing portfolio of BTP-based solutions merged with ABAP apps development, expertise on modern lifecycle tooling (including DevOps for SAP) and digital architecture authority.

The Technology and Lifecycle team is one of the pillars of ERP Platforms and Systems. It owns business process excellence, quality engineering, change and release management, SAP landscape lifecycle, and the end-to-end tool chain that connects them — providing expertise, architecture vision, and governance across the Sanofi SAP ecosystem and critical Group-level programs.

JOB SUMMARY

The Technology and Lifecycle Manager leads the Technology and Lifecycle pillar of ERP Platforms and Systems, owning business process excellence, quality engineering, change and release management, SAP landscape lifecycle, and the end-to-end tool chain. The role combines people leadership, architecture authority, and governance — setting direction and standards across multiple technical domains while managing a mixed team of internal experts and external partners, and delivering value across the Sanofi SAP ecosystem and critical Group-level programs.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In the context of the iSHIFT program and broader Sanofi SAP ecosystem, the main duties include:

Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop the Technology and Lifecycle team, covering business process excellence, quality engineering, change and release management, and SAP landscape lifecycle.
• Manage a mixed team of internal experts and external partners; own resourcing, capacity planning, onboarding/offboarding, and performance management.
• Set objectives, coach team members, and build capability and succession within the team.
• Drive team resource optimization and cost efficiency, including external mix rationalization.

Business Process Excellence & Application Landscape

• Own the business process management capability using SAP Signavio — process design, governance, and process intelligence across the ERP domain.
• Enable applications lifecycle and rationalization using SAP LeanIX outcome.
• Ensure process models, architecture, and E2E designs remain aligned with transformation objectives and Clean Core principles.

Jira & E2E Tool Chain Management

• Own the Jira platform for the domain — workflow design, project configuration, and governance — ensuring it underpins consistent ways of working.
• Define and maintain the end-to-end tool chain that integrates process design, Jira, testing, and change/release tooling into a coherent, traceable delivery flow.
• Drive tool integration, interoperability, and continuous improvement across the lifecycle tool landscape.

Change & Release Management

• Own the end-to-end Change and Release Management strategy for the SAP landscape following ITIL best practices.
• Govern release planning, quality gates, and go/no-go criteria across DEV → QAS → PREPRD → PRD landscapes.
• Oversee ChaRM and SAP Cloud ALM adoption for change and release orchestration.
• Ensure GxP and SOX compliance are reflected in lifecycle and change processes.
• Build and execute a transition Roadmap from Solman to Cloud ALM.

Quality Engineering

• Own the quality engineering strategy across the SAP and non-SAP ecosystem — test automation (Tricentis TOSCA), test management, and impact analysis (LiveCompare).
• Govern test coverage, large-scale campaign execution, and integration of automated testing into release quality gates.
• Champion shift-left testing and continuous improvement of the quality framework.

SAP Landscape Lifecycle & Technical Governance

• Own and evolve the SAP landscape lifecycle strategy — transport governance, environment management, and landscape topology.
• Define and enforce lifecycle standards, quality gates, and deployment guardrails.
• Ensure alignment with Clean Core principles, protecting core stability while enabling extension via BTP and ABAP Cloud.
• Manage technical dependencies across SAP core, BTP, and integration middleware platforms.

Stakeholder Management & Vendor Governance

• Manage relationships with vendors and implementation partners (e.g. SAP, Tricentis, Accenture), ensuring adherence to agreed architecture principles.
• Provide guidance and support to Major Projects and Group-level programs (e.g. Polaris).
• Communicate strategy, roadmaps, risks, and status to senior leadership with clarity and data-driven insight.

WE OFFER

• A leadership role shaping next-generation SAP technology and lifecycle practices in a top-10 global pharmaceutical company.
• Deep exposure to SAP S/4HANA, BTP, and cutting-edge tooling in a complex, regulated enterprise landscape.
• Significant cross-domain exposure across Finance, Supply Chain, Sales, Manufacturing, and Global Trade.
• A seat at the table for strategic technology decisions, architecture direction, and innovation initiatives.
• International scope and collaboration with diverse, world-class digital teams.
• A professional environment with structured career development and continuous learning opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Bachelor's / Master's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, or comparable.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years of experience in SAP environments, including at least 5 years in a leadership or team management capacity.
• Proven track record managing complex, multi-instance, multi-region SAP landscapes.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technical teams (internal and external / partner-based).
• Strong background in SAP lifecycle, change and release management, and quality engineering disciplines.
• Experience owning vendor and implementation-partner relationships (e.g. SAP, Tricentis, Accenture).
• Experience working in Agile / SAFe delivery models in global transformation programs.
• Track record of driving process improvement, tool rationalization, and cost optimization.

MAJOR SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Technical Leadership

• Strong understanding of SAP landscape architecture, transport management, and Clean Core principles.
• Solid grasp of SAP BTP design principles, DevOps for SAP, and Cloud ALM.
• Ability to set architecture direction and governance standards across multiple technical domains.
• Familiarity with business process management (SAP Signavio) and enterprise architecture (SAP LeanIX) tooling.
• Understanding of test automation (Tricentis TOSCA), test management, and impact analysis (LiveCompare).

Leadership & Personal Competencies

• Proven people-leadership skills across distributed, multicultural teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication.
• Process-oriented mindset with strong attention to governance and quality.
• Strategic thinking combined with pragmatic, results-driven delivery.
• Strong English skills (written and spoken); other languages an asset.
• Learning mindset, self-motivation, and a collaborative, service-oriented attitude.

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