The successful candidate will be responsible for the finance functional leadership for the enterprise wide ERP implementation for the global Information Technology (HCIT) business unit.  This initiative will drive common processes and metrics across the enterprise and institute a single face to the customer.  The candidate will provide functional leadership, planning and technical support in a partnership with the IT function for the introduction and implementation of finance related Peoplesoft ERP technology across the business.   Additionally, the candidate will work with a cross-functional leadership team from each region and P&L, as well as, other business units to lead the necessary changes to each business process impacted by the transition from existing ERPs to Peoplesoft.  This role reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will work closely with the leadership team.

Specific Leadership Responsibilities Include:

• Hands on Project Management – responsible for timeline and functional resource synchronization across cross functional teams in multiple geographic regions – anticipate and mitigate conflicts and disputes
• Single point of contact for all finance related ERP system functional requests and initiatives.  The scope includes finance specific ERP functionalities in scope such as General Ledger, AR, AP, Billing, OTR amongst others
• Collaborate with BI Leader who is aligned to FP&A organization to develop Business Intelligence strategies and solutions that improve the visibility of key business metrics.
• Create a strong linkage with Service, Supply Chain and Sales teams.  Be the Finance representative on initiatives to connect front and back end systems and help ensure the success of overall system development that improves customer experiences and drives productivity.  Recruit, retain, develop and lead a team of 5 ERP finance employees, 2+ simplification employees, and build an international ERP team.

 

Specific ERP Responsibilities Include:

• Define program strategy, and the plans required to achieve strategic objectives.  Set program priority and resolve resource and people time conflicts across business initiatives
• Define detailed functional requirements in a partnership with IT as input to systems design and implementation plans while minimizing the need for system customization
• Establish a regional capability that will enable growth through simple and scalable platform
• Partner with IT to budget and control expenses for ERP initiatives and programs
• Develop business case for all programs, including cost to execute and benefit or return expected.
• Provide regular updates to the business leadership team on progress and escalate as necessary to remove issues.
• Advocate business and functional priorities to development teams as required for an effective solution design.
• Reject or approve solution designs for the functional area.
• Set measurable goals and objectives for the direct team, and provide leadership in the evaluation of the team against these metrics. Identify opportunities for improvement proactively.
• Develop relationships across all sites and functions to effectively lead change initiatives
• Work with cross-functional teams to implement change proactively and ensure the required end-product capacity is in place before it is required by customer demand.
• Effectively engage subject matter experts from the business function and translate their needs to solutions with high impact to business and/or its customers
• Lead the development and deployment of effective training tools to finance users that allow the business team to fully realize the benefits of each program.
• Provide direction to the site level teams on master data cleansing & cutover based on the common processes and own the operational end user roles and responsibilities mapping that is driven by the common global process
• Own the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and provide all the signoff’s for key activities like Blueprint, CRP, UAT, and Cutover and Go live for the function
• Manage SOX deliverables for the function, working in close conjunction with Controllership team.
• Be responsible for proactive issues management and project risks resolution
• Analyze, develop strategies and manage ERP changes resulting from acquisitions, legal entity & roof top consolidations

 

Specific Simplification Responsibilities Include:

• Implement LEAN principles and process throughout the organization.  Implement a data rich measurement system to drive utilization, capacity, throughput, and cycle time improvements.
• Recruit, retain, develop and lead a Lean Leader and 1-2 Lean Process Improvement Leaders.
• Support Finance Managers & Controllership in non-ERP program related LEAN activities
• Integrate with Lean activities across ITO, OTR, and PTP.  Ensure processes are improved and “leaned” prior to implementation of new systems.
• Works closely with the Controllers to ensure processes and IT solutions are compliance with policies, disclosure, and regulatory requirements.
• Translate the output of LEAN work into system changes or process changes – feed back to ERP roadmap

 

Specific International ERP Responsibilities Include:

• Manages & drive international ERP roadmap.
• Recruit, retain, develop and lead an ERP Finance Leader for the International implementation.  Priority will be EMEA and then Asia.

 

Qualifications/Requirements:

• BA/BS in Business Administration or IT Systems relevant degree and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in finance and or system implementations; or High School Diploma/GED and minimum of 20 years experience in corporate finance and system implementations
• Demonstrated track record, and first-hand experience with, Peoplesoft and Oracle ERP products.
• Prior experience in successfully implementing an ERP
• Prior experience in successfully implementing Business Intelligence solutions that drive productivity for finance users in a global business unit
• Strong analytic skills: able to clearly link financial results to operational performance drivers generate alternatives and drive positive change.
• Problem solving: successfully led projects/process improvement within operations/finance function; able to quickly grasp new ideas
• Excellent communication skills: experience working across multiple levels (including executive level), functions and businesses; able to clearly communicate complex financial information in a easy to understand manner; able to deliver message effectively verbally and in writing
• Global experience
• You must be willing to submit to a background investigation, including for example, verification of past employment, criminal history, and educational background
• You must be willing to take a drug test
• You must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• You must be willing to work out of an office located in  IL
• Proficiency in Microsoft (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Strong technical acumen
• Proven ability to manage complex cross-functional projects
• Proven ability to be a successful change agent     
• Trained and/or certified in process improvement methodology such as LEANor Six Sigma

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience in successfully implementing an ERP
• Lean experience
• Demonstrated ability to implement an effective performance management system including metrics and operating mechanisms.
• Strong knowledge of financial and commercial processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a team environment and succeed in a matrix organization
• Adaptable/flexible: being open to change in response to new information, different or unexpected circumstances, and/or to work in ambiguous situations
• Strong knowledge of financial systems
• International experience