Program Manager- Germany

Smartshift; Mannheim; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

smartShift in Mannheim, Germany is seeking a Program Manager to lead a large SAP delivery program. You will govern projects, shape the methodology, and coordinate archives and tools for Customer Success while working closely with customers and partners to keep programs on track.

You bring 10+ years in IT, strong PMO leadership, and deep SAP experience including S/4HANA; fluent German and English; and proven ability to manage cross-geography teams and complex schedules.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in IT with end-to-end software/services delivery.
• Minimum 7 years leading PMO.
• Excellent client-facing and leadership with ERP SAP knowledge.
• Fluent in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Manage large programs or clusters of SAP projects.
• Define governance, methodology, and best practices.
• Collaborate with customers and partners to ensure on-time delivery.
• Highlight risks early with clear mitigations.
• Maintain project plans, dashboards, and reporting.

Skills

Program management

Client management

Delivery experience

Project planning

SAP S4HANA knowledge

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's or higher in IT/CS/EC/EEE

Job description

Job Description

Title: Program Manager

Location: Germany

About smartShift

• smartShift is a global leader in SAP custom code transformation for SAP S/4HANA and Clean Core.
• We help the world's biggest brands, including Airbus, BMW, and Procter & Gamble, modernize their SAP systems with secure, stable, and future‑ready code.
• With 3,300+ transformations and 3.5 billion+ lines of code converted, our AI‑powered automation delivers guaranteed results-fast, accurate, and disruption‑free.
• We're a 350+-person company with global teams and a strong track record of profitable growth.
• Shape the systems that power global business-and your future.

Top 3 Reasons to Join smartShift

• Big Impact, Global Scale Works with the world's most iconic brands and modernizes their SAP systems that keep global business running.
• Breakthrough Tech, Proven Results: Leverage patented AI‑powered automation that has transformed thousands of SAP systems with unmatched speed and precision.
• Growth, Stability, and Opportunity Be part of a growing, profitable, and collaborative global company that values innovation and your contributions.

About role

• As Program Manager, you will be responsible for managing a large program or cluster of projects, focusing on program governance, defining methodology, best practices, and facilitating the use of archives & tools for the Customer Success department.
• Working in close collaboration with customers and partners, he/she ensures that all the programs are running on track and as planned. They ensure to deliver the programs on time and highlight the risks at the earlier stages with clear mitigation.

Skills and Experience

Mandatory skills

• The successful applicant will be expected to manage a large or a cluster of SAP projects.
• Must have extensive experience working for large IT services/IT outsourcing companies, with strong client‑facing and delivery experience
• The role will be focused on customer engagement management and relationships - overseeing project delivery. Working with customer/partner management teams, system owners, and their technical architects to ensure timelines for delivery of solutions are understood, and any issues /risks are documented and actioned/escalated
• Ensure that project processes and approval gateways are defined and met in the delivery plan.
• Establish and maintain a project plan to track and monitor delivery progress for the agreed schedule. Agree on reporting profile with existing business teams to include resource profile, costs, and milestone achievement status. Provide reports on status and progress as required
• Manage the Project Time Management Plan defined by the senior management.
• Building schedules for his / her area based on internal standard WBS, contractual targets, and data provided by all stakeholders
• Provide a timely updated schedule/revenue situation highlighting the gap between the actual and the baseline
• Focus on early identification of potential delays (critical paths), including the status of risks and margin related to the schedule
• Consolidate, review, and present program data and report to Customer Success leadership. Provide data and reports to the management, and provide data on :
• Progress of the project.
• Milestones are being achieved on time or not.
• Progress on mitigation of the risks.
• Financial Data such as budget, margins, and actual costs.
• Timely Dashboard for Business reviews

Qualifications & Skills:

Education

• Bachelor's/Post Graduate in Engineering - IT, CS, ECE, & EEE or Equivalent
• Behavioural Competencies
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills (Deutsch/German and English are a must) and be able to influence, negotiate, and communicate at all levels, including Top Management.
• Strong knowledge of SAP systems
• Several years of program and client management experience, ability to oversee several details of multiple projects simultaneously
• An in-depth understanding of ERP SAP business solutions as a Program Manager
• Excellent client‑facing experience and relationship management experience, PMP/PRINCE 2 Practitioner or equivalent
• SAP S4HANA experience is desirable
• Exhibit good leadership skills with Attention to detail, data Literacy, and Organizational awareness.
• Team Player with prior experience in working with Global teams is preferable.
• Strong people orientation & collaboration skills.

Experience required:

• 10+ years of experience in an IT organization, involved in end-to-end software services/product development: Should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in managing/leading a project management office.
• The successful candidate will be able to thrive in a highly collaborative workplace and actively engage in the delivery process spread across different geographical locations.
• Strong delivery and process background
• Experience in project/program execution and management

Requirements

As Program Manager, you will be responsible for managing a large program or cluster of projects focusing on program governance, defining methodology, best practices and facilitating the use of archives & tools for the Customer Success department. Mainly looking at PM with less than 15 years experience

• Fluent in German and English
• Added advantage if worked in SAP Upgrade projects
• Working in close collaboration with customers and partners, he/she ensures that all the programs are running on track and as planned. They ensure to deliver the programs on time and highlight the risks at the earlier stages with clear mitigation.