SAP ECE Manager - Finance

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

The SAP ECE Manager - Finance role will help in designing, building/configuring, deploying, and ultimately play a key role in maintaining Wakefern’s SAP S/4HANA ERP system. This position requires a foundational understanding of SAP business functionalities within the retail space and deep technical expertise to facilitate or help address Wakefern’s needs across the business.

In this role, the individual will work directly with Wakefern business and >tech_ divisions (like infrastructure, store and supply chain applications, and Business Innovation and Transformation Services), system integrators, strategic consulting partners, and SAP. The position requires working and communicating as part of a high-performing cross-functional team in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.

This individual will lead sub-projects, ensure timelines are met, and ensure high-quality project deliverables. This role will keep the ERP team members focused and on track and foster strong working relationships with key partners. This candidate will be highly knowledgeable about the SAP S/4HANA capabilities in the retail space, business processes, solution mechanics, and configuration requirements. This individual will also advise business leaders on the benefits delivered by S/4HANA as a strategic asset.

After the SAP S/4HANA system is deployed, this person will take the lead in identifying system improvements/optimizations and ensuring those enhancements are realized in future system releases.

This position will evolve to become the in-house ERP subject matter expert overseeing the performance of the SAP S/4HANA ERP system, managing the partnership with SAP, other consulting partners, and ensuring the successful deployment of future system enhancements, releases, as well as business expansion.

Responsibilities

Project Planning - Develop detailed project plans outlining tasks, timelines, resources, and dependencies for the SAP S4HANA implementation aligned to Wakefern’s evolving strategic priorities. Establish a project team, define roles and responsibilities, and develop a communication plan for regular status updates and stakeholder engagement.

Scope Management - Define and manage the project scope, ensuring all requirements are captured and documented and changes are properly assessed and approved. Maintain a comprehensive project plan that outlines the project’s scope, schedule, budget, and resource requirements.

Budget Oversight - Manage the project budget, track expenditures, and ensure the project stays within budget.

Team Leadership - Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams, ensuring collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to project goals. Drive project execution by monitoring project status, gathering customer responses and needs, monitoring project scope, and watching for potential roadblocks.

Interpret internal and external business challenges and recommend best practices to improve processes. Utilize understanding of industry standards to apply a fit to standard solutions.

Resource Management - Manage project resources, including Wakefern >tech_ and business project team members. Ensure the project team is appropriately staffed, trained, and motivated to achieve project objectives.

Vendor Management - Collaborate with external vendors and consultants, ensuring they are aligned with project goals, tracking against timeline and deliverables.

Change Management - Develop and execute change management strategies to ensure the organization's smooth adoption of the new SAP system. Training - Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for end users, ensuring they are well-equipped to use the new SAP S4HANA system effectively.

Post Implementation/Deployment - Develop and action post-implementation support plans, ensuring a smooth transition to ongoing operations.

Project Closure - Conduct a comprehensive project closure, including documenting lessons learned and ensuring that all project deliverables are complete.

Manage ongoing operations - single point of contact for specific business process area; develops relationship with business counterparts, understands business proposition, proposes system design that focuses on standard functionality while delivering value. Continuously ensures priorities are aligned between >tech_ and business.

Risk Management - Identify, assess, and proactively manage risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle, implementing mitigation strategies to ensure successful outcomes. Monitor progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies, which are essential tasks to keeping the project on track.

Stakeholder Communication - Maintain clear and regular communication with project stakeholders, providing updates on project progress, challenges, and milestones. Work with stakeholders to create a risk management plan that includes risk assessment, response strategies, and ongoing monitoring.

Quality Assurance – Work with appropriate teams to ensure seamless quality assurance processes, including testing and validation, to ensure the integrity and functionality of the SAP S4HANA finance solution.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, industrial technology/engineering, or related field.

Deep Knowledge of SAP S/4HANA Finance and Retail.

Strong understanding of SAP S/4HANA Finance functionality, and best practices.

Multiple years of experience with SAP S/4HANA (understanding/working on large end-to-end programs).

Experience managing SAP ERP implementation projects. Must have delivered at least 2 SAP S/4HANA end-to-end implementation projects.

Project Management: Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies, ensuring efficient planning, execution, and monitoring of the project. Experience with project management tools, such as MS Project or JIRA. PMP and/or SAP Activate certification are a plus.

Experience with Oracle and/or mainframe systems

Desired Characteristics

Problem Solving Skills: Effective problem-solving abilities to address issues and challenges that may arise during implementation.

Strong interpersonal skills: ability to influence non-direct reports and leaders, inspire change, and gracefully challenge the status quo.

Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and team management skills to guide and inspire cross-functional project and tech teams. Adaptability and flexibility to negotiate changing project priorities and timelines.

Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Ability to balance user requirements with base system functionality.

Company Perks

Vibrant Food Centric Culture

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision package

Competitive Salary and Paid Time Off

Fitness Reimbursement and Well-Being Program

Corporate Training and Development University

Collaborative team environment

Paid Parental Leave

401K

Matching Gifts and Community Volunteer Involvement