SAP Project System Specialist

Position
Title:
Regional SAP S4 Project Systems Specialist – India

Job
Function:
Information Technology
Reports to (Solid): SAP S4 Regional IT Deployment Lead – EM

Job Summary:
The Regional SAP S4 Project Systems Specialist Lead will identify and define a regional strategy that
innovates, simplifies, delivers, and supports Xylem’s ERP ecosystem. The Lead will serve as an expert
resource to Lead the regional Xylem ERP Program for Project Systems. This includes co-creating & rolling out
the Global Template Definition, Build, Localization, and Deployment across the Globe.

This role also requires the role to harmonize the Project Systems solutions with other enterprise technologies,
including but not limited to data management, business intelligence, sales and operations, manufacturing, and
engineering solution sets throughout their respective lifecycles.

The role will interact with all levels within the company, including technical and business leads across various
functional organizations who will help define the strategic approach within a complex and diverse ERP
landscape. They will oversee Project Systems projects to execute the roadmap most efficiently and effectively,
including implementation, configuration, development, and operational support of all ERP systems. The Lead
will provide technical and people leadership and bring deep hands-on ERP experience.

Essential Duties/Principal Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:
Collaborate with IT leadership, business leadership, and internal and external subject matter experts to define
and align the ERP strategy with Xylem’s and IT’s overarching strategies. Continuously seek to improve the
ERP Project Systems ecosystem and streamline operations to improve performance, reduce costs, and
increase agility to respond to changing business needs.

Follow established development methodologies and best practice enterprise architecture standards to
harmonize the ERP plan and make a strategy with the overarching Xylem information systems architecture,
standards, and methods. Participate as a critical contributor to the ever-evolving Xylem enterprise architecture
and information framework, working collaboratively across the various IT service delivery teams.

Development and Operations:
Oversee the ERP regional Project Systems, which is a team that provides regional development, configuration,
and operational support. Collaborate with Enterprise Applications Peer process leaders to manage demand,
set priorities, and estimate and deliver projects within scope, schedule, budget, and quality metrics. Ensure the
ERP Project Systems landscape’s security, availability, and performance.

Build innovative solutions to reduce complexity and simplify the application landscape—source internal and
external technical resources. Balance business needs with practical and agile software development practices.
Establish standards and tools across the Project Systems team based on industry best practices, leveraging
agile, iterative, and waterfall development methodologies and DevOps processes as appropriate.

Partner with enterprise applications process leads, integration, master data management, database
administration, infrastructure and security teams, business subject matter experts, and external vendors to
provide end-to-end support of Regional ERP applications and supporting systems and services. Help establish
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and ensure they are met or exceeded. Monitor and report on SLA
performance. Ensure response to escalated source-to-pay issues/incidents.

Oversee project management activities for ERP Project Systems projects where needed. Collaborate to
standardize critical processes and systems. Ensure adherence to all defined policies, procedures, and
standards. Collaborate with the Training and Communications team to provide a Project Systems eLearning to
end users.

Stay current on new technologies impacting the ERP ecosystem. Research and continuously improve ERP
functionality, availability, and performance. Participate in architecture committees. Ensure maximum,
measured efficiency and effectiveness of ERP systems.

Governance
Contribute as a member of the Enterprise Back Office Solutions team. Represent the Project Systems team in
governance bodies, including architecture, change and demand management committees, and strategy
discussions. Ensure compliance with all statutory and legal requirements in countries where ERP systems are
used and support Corporate Audit’s efforts in conducting and continuously improving the risk management
activities across ERP systems. Help establish and participate in ERP System User Groups.
Ensure adherence to Xylem’s Smart Steps project management methodology, support business case
development, and approve relevant project documentation.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES:

1. Comply with all regulatory, Legal, and Human Resources mandates. Assure staff adheres to all
established mandates.
2. Lead the Xylem Regional ERP Project Systems Team, providing development, configuration, and
operations services.
3. Develop and align the Regional Project Systems strategy with Xylem’s business and enterprise
architecture.
4. Provide vision, leadership, and management for developing, implementing, and servicing Project Systems.
5. Establish and foster solid relationships with service and software vendor partners.
6. Ensure the success of all Project Systems projects through direction, coordination, implementation,
execution, control and completion of projects, ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments
and goals.
7. Contribute to project estimates, assign resources, conduct feasibility studies, and participate in
technical solution evaluations.

8. Be accountable for Project Systems system design, development and configuration, unit and system
testing and deployment, ensuring quality products and services. Ensure the safe deployment of all
application changes, releases, and upgrades in the ERP system landscape.

9. Ensure successful Level 2 and Level 3 application support activities. Establish and ensure that SLAs are
met or exceeded in the Project Systems. Proactively monitor and report on SLA performance.

10. Collaborate with the Training and Communications team to develop effective e-learning training materials
and delivery methods.

11. Lead monitoring activities for all Project Systems processes to ensure conformance to local statutory
requirements and corporate policies and standards. Stay abreast of current rules to ensure compliance.

12. Keep current with new technologies and trends. Review and evaluate the capabilities of existing systems
and recommend solutions for replacing or improving ineffective systems or processes. Identify and
implement best practices.

13. Manage direct reports and the virtual Project Systems team to deliver solutions to meet business needs.
Provide training, coaching, mentoring, supervising, and staff evaluation.

14. Provide appropriate information for input to the department budget process. Manage within budget or
obtain business partner and IT upper management support for out-of-budget expenditures. Keep spending
aligned with corporate policies. Collaborate with the PFA assigned to IT, who facilitates the financial
aspects associated with IT’s operations.

15. Contribute to the definition of IT standard processes and procedures. Assure staff adheres to all
established IT standards, processes, procedures, and guidelines.
16. Perform related duties and fulfill responsibilities as required.

Key Competencies:

– Analytical decision making – Leading people & teams
– Insightful judgement – Matrix team management
– Business-focused delivery – Managing change
– Continuous improvement mindset – Planning & prioritizing work
– Design Excellence
– Cross-boundary collaboration
– Agile development methodologies
– Written and Oral communication/presentations

Key Relationships:
– External: Service Delivery providers, ERP vendors
– Internal: IT leadership and other IT groups, business partner leadership, and functional subject matter experts

Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, License/Certification:
Required Qualifications:
Minimal education & experience, essential skills & abilities, and required license/certification to perform this
job.
– Bachelor’s Degree in MIS or CS preferred, or relevant concentration, with 12+ years of experience; or a
Graduate Degree (Master) in MIS or CS preferred, or relevant concentration, with 10+ years of
experience; or relevant and equivalent business or IT experience of minimum of 14-18 years
– 10+ years of solid experience in various aspects of large-scale ERP application platforms, operations,
and support in international business environments, with at least five years experience in a
manufacturing environment (Project Systems processes / sub-processes). Hands-on experience
deploying and supporting SAP S/4
– Experienced in offshoring and outsourcing of support and operations activities.
– Excellent people manager and leader of leaders, able to inspire and communicate effectively with a
remote (onshore/offshore) multicultural team
– A track record of building, maintaining, and managing strong relationships with Regional business
leaders across many different stakeholder groups
– Excellent customer service ethic
– Knowledge and understanding of operations processes, Project Systems management, finance and
accounting processes
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability
to communicate technology concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
– Proven track record and experience developing solutions and successfully executing programs that
meet objectives of excellence in a dynamic environment
– Poise and ability to act calmly and competently in high-pressure, high-stress situations
– Must be a critical thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
– Excellent analytical skills, able to manage multiple projects under strict timelines, work well in a
demanding dynamic environment, and meet overall objectives
– Project management skills: financial/budget management, scheduling, and resource management.
– Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary, and virtual teams across diverse time
zones to achieve tactical and strategic goals
– Experience with contract and vendor negotiations
– High level of personal integrity and the ability to professionally handle confidential matters and show an
appropriate level of judgment and maturity
– High degree of initiative, dependability, and ability to work with little supervision
– English language fluency