At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major SAP transformation, driving innovation in engineering and operations.
- Company: Join Leonardo UK, a leader in defence technology with a focus on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, a strong pension scheme, and access to mental health support.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with opportunities for professional growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-critical environment while shaping the future of defence.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in SAP upgrades and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
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).
- 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 leader.
- 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.
Qualifications:
- 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.
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.
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.
SAP Transformation Lead in Essex employer: Leonardo
At Leonardo UK, we prioritise our employees' growth and wellbeing, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to lead transformative projects in the defence sector. Our supportive work culture is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, ensuring you can thrive both personally and professionally in a mission-critical environment. Join us in a role that not only drives innovation but also champions inclusion and diversity, all while working at the forefront of technology in a highly regulated industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SAP Transformation Lead in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Leonardo or have experience with SAP transformations. 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 modules and integration technologies. Brush up on your knowledge of PLM and MES environments, as these will be key topics during discussions. Show us you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your past experiences; relate them directly to the job description. Highlight how your previous SAP upgrade projects align with the responsibilities of the SAP Transformation Lead role. Make it personal!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Leonardo.
We think you need these skills to ace SAP Transformation Lead in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the SAP Transformation Lead role. Highlight your experience with SAP upgrades and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of compliance and cybersecurity in the defence sector.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a lead, we’re looking for someone who can inspire and manage teams. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully led projects or teams in the past, especially in complex environments like defence or aerospace.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
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 SD. Be ready to discuss how you've led major SAP upgrade programmes in the past, especially in regulated environments. This will show that you understand the complexities involved in such transformations.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively managed stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your communication strategies and how you’ve ensured alignment between different teams, especially when it comes to integrating SAP with PLM and MES systems.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Expertise
Since this role requires strong project management skills, be ready to talk about your certifications like PMP or Agile. Share specific instances where you successfully defined and managed upgrade strategies, including risk mitigation and resource planning.
✨Understand Compliance and Security Standards
Familiarise yourself with defence-sector regulations and cybersecurity standards relevant to SAP solutions. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past projects, as this is crucial for the role at Leonardo UK.
