Head of SAP Transformation
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, PhD
Eindhoven, Netherlands+1 moreMore locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands
In PersonOffice-based teams work in person at least 3 days per week.
Project & Program ManagementProgram Management
About the job
Requirements
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
- A proven track record as a senior IT executive (SVP, VP, CIO or equivalent) with direct accountability for multiple large-scale SAP programs in a global, matrixed organisation is required.
- Deep, hands-on experience leading SAP S/4 transformations, including migration approach decisions, program governance, business process redesign, data migration, cutover and systems integrator management is required. Prior experience as an SAP transformation program leader or sponsor is essential.
- Demonstrated experience transitioning large ERP programs into steady-state operations, including operational readiness, hypercare and knowledge transfer is required.
- A strong understanding of SAP S/4 solution architecture, with the ability to make and defend design decisions at enterprise level, is required.
- Experience applying AI and automation in ERP programs (process design, testing or data migration) as delivered capability with measurable outcomes is required.
- Strong financial management skills, including large program budget governance, business case management and vendor negotiation, are required.
- The candidate must have executive presence and stakeholder management ability to report credibly to executive leadership and the board, negotiate with global technology vendors and build trust with business leaders.
- A track record of building and leading large program teams that combine internal staff and partner resources is required.
- The leadership style should be characterised by delivery discipline, strategic clarity and care for people, aligned with Philips' Impact with Care values.
Responsibilities
- Lead the SAP S/4 transformation program with the business program leader, owning migration approach, value case, roadmap, timeline, budget, risk management and executive reporting.
- Drive the migration approach decision by evaluating cost, risk, business disruption and AI readiness with the business program leader, Finance and the CIO.
- Coordinate business-specific S/4 workstreams with businesses, functions and regions, standardising enterprise processes where valuable while accommodating legitimate business requirements.
- Run the program through stage gates for design, build, testing, data migration, cutover and hypercare for each release.
- Own the legacy SAP ECC decommissioning plan and ensure legacy support costs are not extended without plan.
- Own the program's S/4 solution design within enterprise architecture standards and guardrails set by AI CoE & Architecture and the SAP Design authority.
- Embed AI-enabled process automation in the S/4 design from the start using enterprise AI platform services from SAP and other vendors and the AI CoE & Architecture.
- Apply AI and automation to program delivery, including testing, data migration and documentation, to shorten timelines and reduce partner effort.
- Work with Group Functions & Supply Chain IT to simplify the legacy and integration landscape around SAP, including SAP PO, EDI and integration.
- Define the target support model and operational readiness criteria for the S/4 landscape from program start.
- Involve run organisation teams in design, build and testing so knowledge, documentation and support capability are in place before each go-live.
- Lead hypercare after each release and hand over operational accountability to the run organisation once agreed exit criteria are met.
- Make knowledge transfer to the run organisation a condition of release closure for systems integrators and other partners.
- Close out the program in a planned way after the S/4 landscape is fully transitioned and legacy SAP ECC is decommissioned.
- Manage the SAP S/4 transformation capital and operational budget with stage-gated investment governance, business case milestones and value-realisation tracking.
- Control program partner and licence costs, including cloud-hosted SAP components (RISE), working with the Cloud Infrastructure & FinOps team to optimise consumption costs.
- Provide transparent run-cost information at each handover so the S/4 landscape fits IT's consumption-based billing model.
- Represent the SAP S/4 program in IT Leadership Team forums, ExCom updates and board-level reporting.
- Build trusted relationships with business leaders, Business Heads of IT, Supply Chain and Finance as the program's primary stakeholders.
- Establish program governance, including steering committee, design authority and change control, to ensure decision quality, speed and accountability.
- Manage strategic executive-level relationships with SAP and systems integrators, negotiate program agreements and hold partners to delivery and knowledge-transfer commitments.
- Build and lead the SAP Transformation program team, combining internal talent and partner resources sized to each phase.
- Foster a culture of delivery discipline, accountability, collaboration and Impact with Care.
- Attract and retain experienced SAP transformation talent.
Desired Qualifications
- An MBA or advanced degree is highly valued given the strategic and financial scope of the role.
- Experience in health technology, medical devices, life sciences or similarly regulated industries is strongly preferred.
- Consulting experience at a top-tier firm or major systems integrator with deep SAP expertise is valued as complementary background.
About the company
Philips makes medical equipment and software for hospitals and care providers, along with personal health products for consumers. Its hospital portfolio spans MRI and CT scanners, ultrasound, image-guided treatment systems and patient monitors, while Sonicare and Avent cover oral health and baby care. Clinical software connects medical images and patient data across care teams, and the company earns revenue from equipment, software, maintenance and consumer product sales. It works with health systems through long-term technology and service partnerships, including solutions for care at home. Founded in 1891, Philips is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$164.7M
Headquarters
Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Founded
1891
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Demand improved: Philips reported 4% comparable group sales growth for Q2 2026 in July 2026.
- Software expertise has room to develop: software and data science comprised about half Philips' research effort in 2025.
- Manufacturing expansion has backing: Philips reiterated a $150 million North American investment plan in February 2026.
What critics are saying
- US sleep-device sales remain restricted: Philips Respironics must meet consent-decree requirements before resuming new sleep-therapy device sales.
- Underlying earnings weakened: Philips' July 2026 report shows Q2 adjusted earnings fell slightly excluding its US tariff refund.
- Central teams face cost pressure: February 2026 plans target 15% to 20% lower central-function costs at Philips.
What makes Philips unique
- MRI avoids helium refills: Philips says its sealed BlueSeal magnets use seven liters rather than conventional systems' 1,500.
- Inventions form a substantial asset base: Philips reports 53,000 patent rights across its technology portfolio.
- The employer's name spans independent businesses: Philips licenses its brands across multiple product categories to outside partners.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- 401(k) Company Match
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account