Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Director, Principal Architect- SAP
Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Job Summary: The Director, Principal Architect – SAP
The Director, Principal Architect – SAP will be part of the SAP COE and will be responsible for leading the end-to-end delivery and ongoing operations of the SAP suite of applications within a pharmaceutical company. This role focuses on aligning solutions with organizational objectives and regulatory standards, while ensuring efficient processes and cost-effective operations.
Key Responsibilities Lead SAP Functional COE:
Oversee project delivery and operational support for SAP applications (S/4HANA, Ariba, Concur, SAP Analytics, and related modules). Business Engagement & Expectation Management:
Proactively manage business relationships to ensure SAP solutions meet operational goals and regulatory standards, while fostering transparent, two-way communication and building trust in technology decisions. Process Optimization & Best Practices:
Partner with business users to optimize processes, consistently championing the adoption of SAP best practices and minimizing unnecessary system customizations to ensure maintainability and scalability. Drive Innovation & Cost Efficiency:
Identify, evaluate, and implement advanced SAP solutions to enable greater process automation, analytics, and cost optimization. Strategic Roadmap & Architecture:
Develop and communicate the SAP strategy, architectural standards, and technology roadmaps that are aligned with the business goals and compliance requirements. Team Leadership:
Provide direction and mentorship to solution and technical architects, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Portfolio & Vendor Management:
Oversee SAP portfolio management, including resource allocation, budgeting, and effective management of vendor relationships and strategic partnerships. Operational Excellence:
Ensure reliable SAP application operations, efficient incident management, and quality standards. Ensure audit-readiness and data integrity standards are met across all SAP platforms and processes Change Management:
Support organizational adoption through effective change management and user training for SAP process changes. Continuous Improvement:
Foster a culture of continuous improvement in both technology and business processes, leveraging SAP's evolving feature set. Hands-On Work
: Provide hands-on customization/configuration support for SAP needs. This role will include up to 25% hands-on work.
Core Skills & Qualifications This position plays a critical role in bridging business needs with technology innovation, driving value, and ensuring scalable and sustainable. Required skills, not limited to, Strong leadership and communication skills for senior stakeholder engagement. Deep knowledge of SAP solutions relevant to the pharmaceutical industry. Proven ability to optimize business processes and drive digital transformation. Experience balancing standardization with business flexibility, limiting customizations. Track record of successfully leading teams in SAP project delivery and operational support. Minimum of 15 years of SAP functional experience with exposure to multiple modules/workstreams Minimum 5 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry Proven experience leading SAP projects and operations, managing business expectations and solution delivery Insights and knowledge of leading technology and IT service trends, including best practices improving the processes, delivery and strategic decision making in supported areas Working knowledge of key processes within the relevant business area and various regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry Broad business and IT capability awareness with hands on experience using or implementing technology and/or service functions/applications Experience working in and with a globally distributed business and IT teams, especially in Japan, EU and India Superior presentation skills with the ability to influence, drive action and strategy including ability to effectively interface with all levels including senior leadership with demonstrated executive presence Organizational change management, issues & conflict management, business-technology innovation and transformation experience Exceptional analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities Hands on skills in configuring SAP S/4HANA for functional needs. Up to 20% travel is required, based upon business needs.
Educational Qualifications Minimum of a bachelor's degree; preferably, a degree in Computer Science, Engineering or adjacent fields. Advanced degree in in sciences, business administration, or pharmaceuticals is optimal.
At Otsuka, we defy limitation, so that others can too. We have an unwavering belief in doing more. In transcending expectations. In going above and beyond—under any circumstances—for patients, families, providers, and for each other. It's this deep-rooted dedication that drives us to uncover answers to complex, underserved medical needs, so that patients can push past the limitations of their disease and achieve more than they thought was possible each and every day. We believe that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity. We are doing everything in our power to live up to our mission of creating new products for better health worldwide in two important therapeutic categories: neuroscience and nephrology.
Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran or disabled status, or any protected status.
Key Responsibilities Lead SAP Functional COE:
Oversee project delivery and operational support for SAP applications (S/4HANA, Ariba, Concur, SAP Analytics, and related modules). Business Engagement & Expectation Management:
Proactively manage business relationships to ensure SAP solutions meet operational goals and regulatory standards, while fostering transparent, two-way communication and building trust in technology decisions. Process Optimization & Best Practices:
Partner with business users to optimize processes, consistently championing the adoption of SAP best practices and minimizing unnecessary system customizations to ensure maintainability and scalability. Drive Innovation & Cost Efficiency:
Identify, evaluate, and implement advanced SAP solutions to enable greater process automation, analytics, and cost optimization. Strategic Roadmap & Architecture:
Develop and communicate the SAP strategy, architectural standards, and technology roadmaps that are aligned with the business goals and compliance requirements. Team Leadership:
Provide direction and mentorship to solution and technical architects, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Portfolio & Vendor Management:
Oversee SAP portfolio management, including resource allocation, budgeting, and effective management of vendor relationships and strategic partnerships. Operational Excellence:
Ensure reliable SAP application operations, efficient incident management, and quality standards. Ensure audit-readiness and data integrity standards are met across all SAP platforms and processes Change Management:
Support organizational adoption through effective change management and user training for SAP process changes. Continuous Improvement:
Foster a culture of continuous improvement in both technology and business processes, leveraging SAP's evolving feature set. Hands-On Work
: Provide hands-on customization/configuration support for SAP needs. This role will include up to 25% hands-on work.
Core Skills & Qualifications This position plays a critical role in bridging business needs with technology innovation, driving value, and ensuring scalable and sustainable. Required skills, not limited to, Strong leadership and communication skills for senior stakeholder engagement. Deep knowledge of SAP solutions relevant to the pharmaceutical industry. Proven ability to optimize business processes and drive digital transformation. Experience balancing standardization with business flexibility, limiting customizations. Track record of successfully leading teams in SAP project delivery and operational support. Minimum of 15 years of SAP functional experience with exposure to multiple modules/workstreams Minimum 5 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry Proven experience leading SAP projects and operations, managing business expectations and solution delivery Insights and knowledge of leading technology and IT service trends, including best practices improving the processes, delivery and strategic decision making in supported areas Working knowledge of key processes within the relevant business area and various regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry Broad business and IT capability awareness with hands on experience using or implementing technology and/or service functions/applications Experience working in and with a globally distributed business and IT teams, especially in Japan, EU and India Superior presentation skills with the ability to influence, drive action and strategy including ability to effectively interface with all levels including senior leadership with demonstrated executive presence Organizational change management, issues & conflict management, business-technology innovation and transformation experience Exceptional analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities Hands on skills in configuring SAP S/4HANA for functional needs. Up to 20% travel is required, based upon business needs.
Educational Qualifications Minimum of a bachelor's degree; preferably, a degree in Computer Science, Engineering or adjacent fields. Advanced degree in in sciences, business administration, or pharmaceuticals is optimal.
At Otsuka, we defy limitation, so that others can too. We have an unwavering belief in doing more. In transcending expectations. In going above and beyond—under any circumstances—for patients, families, providers, and for each other. It's this deep-rooted dedication that drives us to uncover answers to complex, underserved medical needs, so that patients can push past the limitations of their disease and achieve more than they thought was possible each and every day. We believe that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity. We are doing everything in our power to live up to our mission of creating new products for better health worldwide in two important therapeutic categories: neuroscience and nephrology.
Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran or disabled status, or any protected status.