SAP Program Manager - North America

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Manager SAP Project NA to oversee the estimation, planning, execution, and delivery of projects for the Global SAP CoE ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The Manager SAP Project is responsible for managing the project team on a day-to-day basis to ensure project delivery. Multiple FTE can be overseen by the Manager SAP Project NA, team size however it is project dependent. The Manager SAP Project NA is expected to travel once or twice per month depending on the projects to which they are assigned.

Role organization and scope

The Managers SAP Project are part of the broader SAP Programs department in the Global SAP CoE. The SAP Programs organization leads the delivery of major transformation initiatives, new implementations, and business-driven projects across the enterprise. It manages the SAP project portfolio, applies proven project management methodologies, and ensures successful execution from estimation & planning through to hypercare. This team coordinates cross-functional resources, manages risks, schedules, and budgets, and partners closely with both business and IT stakeholders to ensure that projects deliver tangible value and strategic outcomes.

Key responsibilities

Delivery Management

• Manage all aspects of project life cycle to facilitate successful delivery together with Business Project Management.
• Create project estimations, scope, timelines, resource requirements and support capex submissions together with SW operations.
• Own project deliverables, manage risks, and ensure the application of project methodology in accordance with SW SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle).
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, standards, and best practices for project management, in collaboration with the PMO Lead.
• Manage day-to-day project activities, ensuring effective communication within the project team.
• Ensure effective stakeholder communication and engagement, providing regular updates and reports on project status.
• Facilitate project kick-off, project meetings, and closure meetings to align all stakeholders.
• Manage project scope changes, ensuring all adjustments are properly documented and approve

Team & Resource Management

• Liaise with Product Managers and Demand & Capacity Lead to agree capacity for seconded SAP experts.
• Manage the delivery and performance of the SAP experts in collaboration with the Expert’s Product Manager.
• Prioritize and distribute resources and work, following up on the budget and taking necessary corrective actions to address project deviations.

Monitoring, Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Conduct regular project reviews and assessments, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitor project progress, identifying and mitigating risks and issues to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Provide status reporting to the project steering committee.
• Track and report on project budgets, resource utilization, key milestones, and timeline adherence.
• Ensure quality assurance is performed throughout the project lifecycle, including deliverable validation and lessons learned documentation.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with the Program Director to align project objectives with overall program goals and portfolio priorities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, incorporating feedback and best practices into future projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 10+ years of relevant working experience in project management within an SAP environment.
• Fluent in business English (verbal and written).
• Proven track record in SAP project delivery, within complex organisational landscapes (or in possession of PMP certification and equivalent experience).
• Expertise in project management and related methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall), including budgeting, forecasting, resource management, and capacity planning.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, able to build strategic relationships and influence senior leaders, business, and IT stakeholders including system integrators.
• Significant experience in managing large SAP teams in multicultural, process-driven, and regulated environments.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on risk management, compliance, and data-driven decision making.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on risk management, compliance, and data-driven decision making.
• Advanced business acumen and communication skills, able to bridge technical solutions and business value for a range of audiences.
• High integrity, professionalism, and adaptability, with a commitment to inclusive leadership and clear, audience-appropriate communication.
• Fluency in one or more additional languages (e.g., Spanish or French) is a significant asset - DESIRABLE