SAP Change and Release Management Lead

Job title SAP Change and Release Management Lead

• Location Hyderabad

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 Back-Office and Finance/Supply chain Systems Transformation program aims at:

-       Enabling Global Business Units (GBU) & Global Functions with Analytics

• Common analytics by GBU and for Global functions to improve performance and cost management.

• Transversal data consolidation as well as more granular analyses.

• Common budget tools by GBU.

• Facilitating a seamless integration of planning and actual data setting-up automation in reporting to enable Global Shared Services (SBS)

• Support SBS strategy by implementing an end-to-end approach (e.g. P2P fully covered by integrated Group solutions from eBay to AP Invoicing, T&E, etc.).

• Opportunity to consolidate new activities in Shared Services (e.g. Master Data Management, Credit Management) and to develop global Shared Services organization models (e.g. T&E).

• Support reporting factories.

• Simplifying processes and Sanofi users’ experience

• State-of-the-art global systems ensuring an end-to-end process integration while providing a simplified user’s experience.

• Major changes to reporting or processes handled centrally at once.

• One source of truth on master data and a common automated internal control framework.

• Improved integration or divestment capabilities through a standardized methodology.

ERP Platforms and Systems Unit

ERP Platforms and System is cross disciplinary team in wider Sanofi Digital organization. As such, it is focused on providing state of the art solutions using various technologies and platforms: from modern S4 layer and classical ECC based systems, up to growing portfolio of BTP based solutions merged with ABAP apps development, expertise on modern lifecycle tooling (including DevOps for SAP) and digital architecture authority.

Technology and Lifecycle team is one of pillars of ERP Platforms and System, where members of that team:

• Leads selected area and provide expertise and architecture visions for domains in scope (change and release management, testing, business process design, innovative solutions)

• Provide support for overall Sanofi ecosystem, including critical Programs on Group level

• Manages various stakeholders, from SAP to implementation partners, ensuring adherence to agreed architecture principles

• Design solutions, that are on cutting edge of current technology

• Manage and deliver (directly or through a Partner) SAP AI capabilities and scenarios related to ERP domain

JOB SUMMARY

As part of the Technology and Lifecycle team, the SAP Change and Release Management Expert will be responsible for overseeing the complete lifecycle of changes across Sanofi's SAP ecosystem. This role requires deep expertise in ITIL-based Change and Release Management principles combined with hands-on experience in complex SAP landscapes.

The successful candidate will ensure quality, compliance, and stability of all SAP releases while coordinating with diverse stakeholders across the organization.

The role demands strong process orientation, resilience under pressure, and the ability to enforce governance standards while maintaining collaborative relationships with development teams, project managers, and service leads.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In the context of the ISHIFT Project and broader SAP ecosystem, the main duties include:

Change Management:

• Lead end-to-end Change Management process for SAP landscape following ITIL best practices

• Manage change conflicts and dependencies across multiple parallel initiatives and releases

• Ensure proper change classification, risk assessment, and approval workflows

• Maintain change calendar and coordinate change advisory board (CAB) activities

• Track and report on change success rates, backouts, and lessons learned

Release Management:

• Oversee release planning, scheduling, and execution for SAP environments

• Coordinate with development teams on Transport Management System (TMS) operations

• Ensure proper deployment sequencing and validation across DEV→QAS→PREPRD→PRD landscapes

• Implement and enforce release quality gates and go/no-go criteria

• Manage production deployment windows with focus on business continuity and risk mitigation

• Coordinate hypercare activities and post-implementation reviews

Technical Governance:

• Maintain expertise in SAP Transport Management System (TMS) configuration and operations

• Leverage CHaRM (Change Request Management) for Major Projects and BVP tracking

• Utilize Cloud ALM for change and release orchestration in cloud-based scenarios

• Ensure compliance with established architecture principles and deployment standards

• Manage technical dependencies across SAP, BTP, and integration middleware platforms

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with distributed teams including developers, project managers, service leads, and business stakeholders

• Provide release management guidance and support to Major Projects

• Interface with external implementation partners (e.g., Accenture) on release activities

• Facilitate knowledge transfer and capability building within the organization

• Communicate release schedules, risks, and status to leadership

Process Excellence:

• Design, implement, and continuously improve release management processes and procedures

• Establish and enforce release management standards, policies, and best practices

• Drive automation opportunities in change and release workflows

• Maintain release management documentation, runbooks, and SOPs

• Lead root cause analysis for release-related incidents and implement preventive measures

We offer:

• Excellent opportunity to learn and get acquainted with SAP S4 HANA solutions with the guidance from highly experienced SAP professionals.

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• Significant exposure to best practices in Pharma industry across different domains (Sales, Logistics, Global Trade, Finance, Technical, Manufacturing and Warehousing).

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• Involvement in the definition, design, deployment, and support of advanced and innovative solutions in a global pharma company.

• Exciting and challenging projects with an international scope.

• A professional environment with a wealth of opportunities for your personal growth and career development.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Bachelor/Master’s Degree in Computer science, Engineering, Economics or comparable

• PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Minimum 5 years of experience in SAP Change and Release Management roles

Proven track record managing releases in complex SAP landscapes (multi-instance, multi-region)

Hands-on experience with SAP Transport Management System (TMS) in enterprise environments

Strong background in ITIL Change and Release Management practices and frameworks

Experience coordinating releases across distributed international teams

Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder expectations in high-pressure situations

Track record of implementing process improvements in release management

MAJOR SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Technical Expertise:

• Deep understanding of SAP landscape architecture and transport management concepts Proficiency with SAP Transport Management System (TMS) configuration and troubleshooting Strong knowledge of CHaRM (Change Request Management) for project-based changes Experience with Cloud ALM for cloud-based change and release management Understanding of SAP BTP integration patterns and deployment models Familiarity with integration middleware platforms (CPI, IICS, Tibco, Layer7)

• Process & Methodology:

• Expert knowledge of ITIL Change and Release Management principles and best practices Experience with Agile release practices and DevOps principles in SAP context Ability to design and implement repeatable, scalable release processes Strong understanding of release quality gates, validation checkpoints, and rollback procedures Knowledge of CAB (Change Advisory Board) operations and governance models

• Personal Competencies:

• Exceptional resilience and ability to remain composed under pressure during critical releases Process-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail and quality Natural ability to enforce standards and governance while maintaining collaborative relationships Excellent stakeholder management skills across technical and business audiences Strong problem-solving abilities and conflict resolution skills Proven ability to work effectively in distributed, multi-cultural international teams

• Communication & Leadership:

• Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken); Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders Strong facilitation skills for release planning and CAB meetings Confident decision-making abilities during release execution Ability to influence without authority across organizational boundaries

• Additional Skills:

• Analytical mindset with data-driven approach to release metrics and improvements Goal-focused and results-oriented attitude Learning mindset - eager to stay current with evolving SAP technologies and methodologies High degree of professionalism and accountability Self-motivated with ability to work autonomously when needed Comfortable handling multiple concurrent releases in fast-paced environment

MAIN INTERACTIONS

• Track record of implementing process improvements in release management

• Main Interfaces/Relationships:

• Internal:

• Solution Delivery teams (Sales and Trade, Finance, Supply chain, Data).

• Technical teams (Enterprise Architecture, Access Management, Analytics…).

• Project Management Office.

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• External:

• IT Consulting firms.

• Local Business teams.