At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major SAP transformation, driving innovation in a top defence organisation.
- Company: Join Leonardo UK, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team shaping the future of technology.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on cutting-edge technology in a mission-critical environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in SAP upgrades and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Your Impact
Join Leonardo UK as an SAP Transformation Lead and play a pivotal role in reshaping the digital backbone of a leading defence organisation. This is a rare opportunity to lead a complex, enterprise-wide SAP transformation—driving innovation across engineering, manufacturing, and operations while ensuring the highest standards of security, performance, and compliance in a mission-critical environment.
You will take ownership of a major SAP upgrade programme, guiding the organisation from a legacy landscape to a future-ready platform aligned with long-term strategic goals. Working at the intersection of technology and business, you will define the transformation roadmap, lead solution design and integration across SAP, PLM, and MES systems, and enable a seamless digital thread that enhances visibility, efficiency, and decision-making across the enterprise.
In this role you will:
- Own and drive the end-to-end upgrade of the legacy SAP system (including all functions).
- Ownership of end-to-end business processes which impact on SAP (BD – Planning - Engineering - Manufacturing – Customer Support – Finance).
- Define and manage the upgrade strategy, including scope, deployment approach, risk mitigation, and resource planning.
- Lead technical assessment, solution design, data migration strategy, and cutover planning.
- Ensure all processes, custom code, and integrations are mapped, rationalised, or redesigned to meet future business needs.
- Develop and maintain a multi-year SAP technology roadmap aligned with business objectives and defence-industry compliance requirements.
- Identify opportunities for standardisation, process harmonisation, automation, and adoption of new SAP capabilities.
- Define governance frameworks for enhancement requests, prioritisation, and change control.
- Serve as the primary SAP interface with PLM and MES programme teams.
- Design and own the integration strategy between SAP, PLM, and MES to ensure seamless engineering, manufacturing, and supply-chain workflows.
- Ensure data alignment, Bill of Materials (BOM) synchronisation, configuration management, and traceability across systems.
- Champion end-to-end digital thread capability.
- Collaborate with Future Factory, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, IT Security, and Programme Leadership to define requirements and ensure solution alignment.
- Manage external partners and system integrators, ensuring delivery quality and adherence to standards.
- Communicate progress, relevant KPI’s, risks, and decisions to senior leaders.
- Ensure all SAP solutions comply with defence-sector regulations, cybersecurity standards, export controls, and audit requirements.
- Establish high-quality documentation, system standards, and configuration controls.
What you'll bring
- Proven experience leading major SAP upgrade or S/4HANA transformation programmes.
- Expert knowledge of core SAP modules (e.g., PP, MM, QM, SD, FI/CO) and integration technologies (BAPIs, IDocs, APIs).
- Strong background in SAP integration with PLM and MES environments.
- Experience working in highly regulated or defence/aerospace industries.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity, configuration control, and compliance frameworks.
- Experience with SAP EWM, IBP, or SAP Cloud products.
- Knowledge of digital thread, model-based engineering, and Industry 4.0 principles.
- Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile).
- Experience with classified system environments.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh
Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Southampton
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
SAP Transformation Lead in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo
At Leonardo UK, we prioritise our employees' growth and wellbeing, offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to mental health support. Our inclusive work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal environment for professionals looking to lead transformative projects in the defence sector. With opportunities for continuous learning and flexible working arrangements, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally in our Edinburgh location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SAP Transformation Lead in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Leonardo or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into SAP transformation projects. Brush up on your knowledge of core SAP modules and integration technologies. Show us you know your stuff and can lead the charge!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your experience—bring it to life! Use real examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully led SAP upgrades or transformations. We love hearing about your achievements!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our awesome benefits right there.
We think you need these skills to ace SAP Transformation Lead in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with SAP transformations. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the SAP Transformation Lead role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve led major SAP upgrades or transformations in the past. This will help us see the impact you've made.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what’s relevant to the role. This makes it easier for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Know Your SAP Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of core SAP modules like PP, MM, and FI/CO. Be ready to discuss how these modules integrate with PLM and MES systems, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading major SAP upgrade programmes. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as how you managed stakeholder expectations.
✨Understand Compliance and Security
Familiarise yourself with defence-sector regulations and cybersecurity standards. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past projects, especially in highly regulated environments.
✨Craft a Clear Transformation Roadmap
Think about how you would define a transformation roadmap for the organisation. Be ready to explain your approach to risk mitigation, resource planning, and how you would ensure alignment with long-term strategic goals.
