SAP PROGRAMME MANAGER (12 month contract)

Introduction My client based in Gauteng requires a Senior SAP Programme Manager. The SAP Programme Manager will lead the post-conversion value agenda following the companybrownfield conversion from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA.

The role is accountable for converting the technical platform investment into measurable business outcomes by defining value opportunities, strengthening data and analytics capability, driving AI-enabled transformation and ensuring that benefits are realised, tracked and sustained across the organisation.

The IT department is based inCenturion; however, the successful candidate will work in a hybrid model that includes onsite work at Operations and IT offices, remote work, and travel to operations as required.

Duties & Responsibilities Value Realisation, Data and Business Outcomes The role will establish and lead a structured value realisation office that identifies, prioritises and delivers benefits across Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Inventory, Engineering Asset Management and related operational areas. This includes defining baseline performance, value drivers, benefit owners, measurable KPIs, benefit tracking mechanisms and executive reporting that links SAP S/4HANA, data, analytics and AI initiatives directly to business outcomes.

AI Transformation and Analytics Enablement The leader will guide the transition from a post-conversion ERP environment to a standardised, datadriven and AI-ready enterprise platform. This includes improving data quality and master data discipline, simplifying customisations, supporting clean-core principles, enabling embedded analytics, identifying automation and AI use cases, and preparing the organisation to scale responsible AI capabilities that improve decision-making, productivity, operational control and business performance.

Transformation Leadership and Working Model The preferred candidate should have strong value realisation, business transformation, data and analytics, AI enablement and SAP S/4HANA experience within a mining or asset-intensive environment, supported by a sound understanding of the mining value chain. The resource will work closely with business leadership, process owners, IT teams, data teams and vendors to align improvement initiatives with operational priorities and ensure measurable business value is delivered.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Value Realisation and Transformation Delivery

Lead the SAP S/4HANA value realisation agenda by identifying, prioritising and delivering initiatives that improve business performance across priority process areas. Define value cases, business outcomes, baseline measures, success criteria, benefit owners and benefit tracking mechanisms for transformation initiatives. Develop and maintain a value roadmap that links SAP S/4HANA optimisation, process standardisation, data improvement, analytics and AI initiatives to measurable operational outcomes. Ensure initiatives are delivered through structured governance, clear ownership, realistic milestones, adoption plans and sustained benefit measurement.

 

Business, Data and AI Leadership

 

Partner with business leaders, process owners, data teams, IT teams and vendors to shape a pipeline of high-value analytics, automation and AI opportunities. Drive alignment between business priorities, data readiness, process maturity and technology capability to ensure AI and analytics initiatives are practical, scalable and value led. Promote strong data ownership, data quality discipline and KPI accountability across business functions. Lead cross-functional teams in adopting new ways of working, using data-driven insight and intelligent automation to improve decision-making and operational performance.

 

Governance, Value Tracking and Executive Reporting

Establish governance forums, dashboards and reporting mechanisms to track value delivery, benefit realisation, adoption, risks, issues and executive decisions. Develop and present executive-level updates that clearly articulate business outcomes, value delivered, data and analytics progress, AI opportunities, risks and required decisions. Ensure transformation initiatives comply with governance, quality, data, security, risk and responsible AI requirements. Monitor benefit delivery against agreed baselines and escalate gaps where value, adoption or operational outcomes are at risk.

 

Commercial, Vendor and Contract Management

Support feasibility studies, vendor selections, proposals and evaluations for review by appropriate stakeholders. Develop and manage Statements of Work that support requirements definition, discovery and the delivery of executable solution designs by the core team, ensuring clear scope, outcomes, responsibilities, deliverables and acceptance criteria. Develop commercial business cases and total cost of ownership assessments for proposed solutions, including software licensing, subscription costs, implementation services, infrastructure, integration, support, maintenance, change management and ongoing operational costs. Manage external vendor relationships, engagement plans, schedules, resources, budgets, change requests, risks and issues. Assist with disputes, negotiations, arbitration or litigation matters where required.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Degree or diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems or a related discipline. Project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2 or an equivalent qualification.

Value Realisation and Transformation Experience

Minimum of 15 years’ experience leading value realisation, business transformation, SAP S/4HANA and other SAP applications i.e. Ariba, SAC, Datasphere, etc, enterprise data, analytics or AI-enabled transformation initiatives, preferably within mining or asset-intensive environments. Proven ability to define value cases, establish baselines, identify measurable benefits, assignbenefit ownership and track outcomes through structured governance. Strong experience translating business strategy and operational priorities into transformation roadmaps, data-driven initiatives, analytics use cases and AI opportunities. Proven experience in planning and delivering SAP S/4HANA version upgrades across on-premise and cloud landscapes, including upgrades from legacy or lower releases to newer supported releases, with strong understanding of technical readiness, functional impact assessment,regression testing, cutover planning and business continuity requirements.

 

Data, Analytics, AI and Methodology Exposure

Practical knowledge of SAP S/4HANA transformation, SAP Activate or equivalent delivery methodologies, with an understanding of clean-core principles, process standardisation and value management. Strong working knowledge of data quality, master data management, reporting, analytics, KPI design and performance measurement across enterprise business processes. Exposure to AI, automation, predictive analytics, embedded analytics or digital transformation use cases will be advantageous. Experience using project, portfolio, reporting and collaboration tools, including MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, SAP PPM or equivalent tools.

 

Leadership, Stakeholder Management and Communication

Ability to build and maintain credibility with business leaders, resolve issues, create alignment and drive consensus across stakeholder groups. Excellent leadership, written and verbal communication, presentation and interpersonal skills. Strong negotiation, influencing and expectation-management skills. Ability to coach, mentor and support team members in achieving delivery outcomes.

Change Management and Adaptability

Change management experience, including stakeholder engagement, business readiness and adoption support. Flexible and adaptable, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to respond effectively to shifting priorities, demands and timelines.