Business Systems Manager

Chess Dynamics; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group pension plan - matched up to 6%

Income protection scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance policy

Company shares incentive plan

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Chess Dynamics is seeking a Business Systems Manager to lead the organisation's ERP and core applications, driving operational excellence through technology, process improvement, and data-driven decisions. You will partner with operations, engineering, finance and IT to design pragmatic, scalable solutions.

The role emphasizes governance, system integration and continuous improvement, with responsibility for upgrades, vendor management, data integrity and reporting capabilities to support growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading business systems or ERP platforms in manufacturing/engineering.
• Strong knowledge of core business processes including finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and project operations.
• Experience delivering system improvements, upgrades, integrations, or transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of business applications, data management, reporting, and system governance.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders and external vendors.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage core business applications, with ERP as the primary platform.
• Ensure systems are reliable, secure, supported, and aligned to business requirements.
• Manage application lifecycle activities including upgrades, enhancements, integrations, and vendor support.
• Develop and maintain system governance, standards, and documentation.
• Oversee application performance, user access, master data integrity, and reporting capability.
• Partner with departments to identify system-driven improvements and gather requirements.
• Balance process improvement, configuration, and system customization to deliver pragmatic solutions.

Skills

ERP systems

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Data analysis

IT governance

Cross-functional collaboration

SQL

Power BI

Epicor ERP

APIs

Tools

Epicor ERP

SQL

Power BI

APIs

Job description

Role Purpose

The Business Systems Manager plays a key role in driving operational excellence and business transformation through technology, process improvement, and data-driven decision making.

Role Purpose

The Business Systems Manager plays a key role in driving operational excellence and business transformation through technology, process improvement, and data-driven decision making. Responsible for the organisation's core business systems and enterprise applications, the role ensures technology enables efficient, scalable, and integrated ways of working across the business. Acting as the bridge between projects, operations, engineering, finance, and IT, the Business Systems Manager leads the evolution of systems, processes, and data to improve performance, strengthen governance, and support future growth. With ERP at the centre, the role champions continuous improvement, system integration, and digital innovation to simplify processes, enhance collaboration, and maximise business value from technology investments.

Key Responsibilities

Business Systems Ownership

• Own and manage the organisation's core business applications, with ERP as the primary platform.
• Ensure systems are reliable, secure, supported, and aligned to business requirements.
• Manage application lifecycle activities including upgrades, enhancements, integrations, and vendor support.
• Develop and maintain system governance, standards, and documentation.
• Oversee application performance, user access, master data integrity, and reporting capability.

Business Process Improvement

• Partner with departments across the business to understand operational challenges and identify system-driven improvements.
• Lead process mapping, requirements gathering, and solution design activities.
• Drive standardisation, automation, and simplification of business processes where appropriate.
• Balance process improvement, configuration, and system customisation to deliver pragmatic solutions.

Application Portfolio Management

• Maintain visibility and governance across the wider business systems landscape, including SaaS and specialist engineering/manufacturing applications.
• Establish consistent approaches to application support, change control, release management, and system ownership.
• Evaluate new technologies and applications, ensuring alignment with business needs and existing platforms.
• Manage integrations and data flows between systems.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Build strong working relationships across projects, operational, engineering, finance, and IT teams.
• Manage backlogs and translate business requirements into clear technical and functional solutions with appropriate business case.
• Manage relationships with software vendors, support providers, and implementation partners.
• Support user adoption through training, communication, and documentation.

IT & Governance Collaboration

• Work closely with IT to ensure alignment between business applications, infrastructure, security, and support models.
• Support change control, access management, audit requirements, and disaster recovery planning.
• Contribute to business continuity, cybersecurity, and compliance activities relating to business systems.
• Maintain application roadmaps, risks, budgets, and investment plans.

Essential

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading business systems or ERP platforms within a manufacturing, engineering, or operational environment.
• Strong understanding of core business processes including finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and project operations.
• Experience delivering system improvements, upgrades, integrations, or transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of business applications, data management, reporting, and system governance.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders and external vendors.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience with Epicor ERP or similar enterprise platforms.
• Knowledge of PLM, CRM, or engineering systems.
• Experience with SQL, reporting tools, Power BI, or API integrations.
• Familiarity with regulated or quality-driven manufacturing environments.

Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic and solutions-focused.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Analytical with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Confident working across technical and non-technical teams.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and adaptable.

Work Life Balance

• 37.5 hour working week
• Lunchtime finishes on a Friday
• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave
• Christmas closure
• Holiday purchasing scheme

Benefits

• Group pension plan - matched contributions up to 6%
• Income protection scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service and physiotherapy consultations
• Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline
• Company shares incentive plan and save as you earn scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and the addition of mental health support for all employees. Plus, regular activities across our sites to support and promote wellbeing
• Regular sports and social activities
• Gym membership discounts
• Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, and wellbeing offerings).
• Recruitment referral bonus scheme
• Excellent learning & development opportunities
• Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations

Security Clearance Requirements

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.