Director - Axial Technology - Enterprise Business Partner

Director - Axial Technology - Enterprise Business Partner

Macclesfield

The Axial Programme (Global S/4HANA implementation)

AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science. In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way. The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large-scale transformation programme – Axial.

The Axial Programme will be powered by S/4HANA a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system which will be implemented right across the organisation and will provide our business with standardised processes, enhanced financial management, common data and real time reporting, transforming the way we work through our entire supply chain - from bench to patient.

The new system will be used by more than 20,000 employees daily, is foundational to all AZ entities and is central to most core business processes. This is a once in a generation programme for AstraZeneca and will shape our ways of working globally for many years to come.

The Axial programme needs the best talent to work in it. Whether it’s the technical skills, business understanding or change leadership, we want to ensure we have the strongest team deployed throughout. We are aiming to deliver a world class change programme that leaves all employees with a fuller understanding of their role in the end-to-end nature of our global company. This programme will provide AZ with a competitive edge, to the benefit of our employees, customers and patients.

Introduction to the role:

The Axial Technology Director - Enterprise Business Partner will develop strategic relationships within the programme alongside the Enterprise Process Owner (EPO) for Clinical Supply and in the broader AZ community.  The role will identify ways for IT to partner with them in achieving and exceeding business objectives. The Enterprise Business Partner will drive the delivery of innovative business solutions to create maximum competitive advantage in line with the requirements of the EPO domain and desired business outcomes, balancing with Fit to Standard design principles.

The role will combine experience in the delivery of technology solutions supporting pharmaceutical clinical supply processes, an in-depth understanding of the business area direction and IT expertise to drive the creation of innovative technology solutions.

What you'll do:

• Own the strategic IT design relationship with the Enterprise Process Owner and other senior business leaders focused on the clinical supply process domain, developing a deep understanding of the business strategies, priorities and challenges, ensuring that the end-to-end solution design is aligned to business objectives.

• Responsibility for end-to-end solution design across clinical supply, working with a range of business and IT leaders covering SAP and non-SAP supported processes in shaping the design to hand off to delivery teams in the programme and across Business Technology Groups (BTGs)

• Proactively engage with BTGs and leaders of their portfolio of projects and applications to ensure they are appropriately consulted/informed of design decisions and processes within the Axial programme

• Ensure the wider Axial technology design and portfolio across your domain is clearly communicated and understood by senior business and technology leaders

• Proactively manage the design process (fit to standard) across clinical supply, negotiating expectations to ensure alignment with IT strategy, architecture and delivery capacity across programme workstreams

• Gain business leadership commitment to the fit to standard approach, using specialist knowledge identify relevance of established or new IT solutions within the programme scope

• Proactively identify opportunities through internal and external networks, for IT to deliver innovative solutions to customer issues/challenges and situations where leading edge technological innovations can be deployed to business advantage

• Lead and develop your design team function, and associated matrix teams delivered from your area, to ensure effective solution design and collaboration across IT to shape process solutions, driving the development of innovative IT solutions to deliver high quality business outcomes in line with EPO objectives

• Lead detailed design and localisation of the template solution for clinical supply through deployment waves, ensuring integration and alignment with data, testing, cutover and deployment activities.

Work collaboratively with:

• EPO and Technology leadership teams and other senior stakeholders to build their understanding of IT design activities and their impact on strategy, programmes and associated challenges in your domain

• BTG Portfolio Managers and business areas to drive effective prioritization and business alignment of investments working alongside changes in your domain driven by the S/4HANA programme

• Business performance leaders to ensure investments deliver forecast benefits and business outcomes

• SI partner leads to ensure efficient and effective partnership in delivery of solution design

• IT BP teams to ensure identification of synergies and cross-business innovative opportunities

• Architecture leaders in the development of technical strategies and blue-prints as applicable to your domain

• Solution delivery and service leads to ensure business expectations are fulfilled

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Evidence of leading and developing innovative solutions using SAP products

• A proven track record of delivering results

• Experience of building high value business cases & mobilising high value investments

• Experience of leading teams with a demonstrable track record of motivational and achievement-oriented leadership

• Experience of managing third party suppliers with strong network and consulting skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong influencing, networking and team working skills

• High level awareness of developments in the Information Technology marketplace

• Demonstrate strong relationship building skills with the ability to influence others to achieve objectives

• Proficiency in planning, change management and problem solving and able to resolve issues of a highly complex and strategic nature

• Proven ability to relate and respond to business needs in an IT environment

• Ability to manage negotiations, expectations and solutions across complex groups

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we are one purpose-led global organisation. We are the enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world.

Ready to make a difference? Join us in this exciting journey of transformation and innovation!

Apply Today!

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.