ERP Transformation Programme Manager

The Danesmoor Group; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Danesmoor Group is embarking on a major ERP transformation programme across Life Kitchens, For Living and PWS Distributors, including Paint and Worksurfaces operations. The ERP Transformation Programme Director will lead client-side programme management, working with our implementation partner and senior business leaders to ensure successful delivery and benefits realisation.

This high-profile role operates at board level while driving delivery across multiple workstreams, with a rolling Fixed

Qualifications

• PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMP, PMI or equivalent recognised programme/project management qualification.
• Experience leading large-scale ERP transformation programmes across multiple workstreams.
• Track record of governance, change control and benefits realisation.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the integrated programme plan with implementation partners.
• Coordinate multiple business and technical workstreams and manage dependencies.
• Lead governance, reporting and stakeholder engagement across the programme.
• Drive business change, adoption and benefits tracking across the group.

Skills

Delivery-focused

Stakeholder management

Organised

Influence without authority

Resilient under pressure

Commercially minded

Ambiguity tolerance

Collaborative

Business value focus

Governance knowledge

Programme governance

Education

PRINCE2 Practitioner / PMP / PMI

Job description

Danesmoor Group is embarking on one of the most significant transformation programmes in its history.

Over the next three years, we will implement a new ERP platform across Life Kitchens, For Living and PWS Distributors, including our Paint and Worksurfaces operations.

This is far more than a software implementation - The programme will redesign business processes, improve data quality, modernise ways of working and create the operational foundations to support future growth. Success will depend as much on business engagement, governance and adoption as it will on technology delivery.

We are seeking an experienced ERP Transformation Programme Director to lead Danesmoor's client-side programme management capability. Working alongside our implementation partner and senior business leaders, you will provide the structure, governance and delivery discipline needed to ensure successful execution and benefits realisation across the Group.

This is a high-profile role requiring someone who can operate confidently at Board level whilst remaining hands-on in driving delivery across multiple workstreams.

This is on a rolling Fixed Term Contract basis, with a minimum requirement of 18 months.

Responsibilities & Key Tasks

• Establish and maintain the integrated programme plan with implementation partners.
• Coordinate multiple business and technical workstreams.
• Manage programme dependencies, delivery milestones and critical paths.
• Drive accountability for actions, deliverables and decisions.
• Maintain programme momentum whilst balancing day-to-day operational pressures.

Governance & Delivery Discipline

• Establish programme governance frameworks and reporting structures.
• Lead Steering Committee and Executive Sponsor reporting.
• Implement and maintain:
  1. RAID management
  2. Change control
  3. Benefits tracking
• Ensure programme risks, issues and dependencies are visible and actively managed.
• Provide clear recommendations to support informed decision-making.

Business Change & Adoption

• Support the design of future-state processes and operating models.
• Coordinate business readiness and adoption activities.
• Ensure organisational impacts are understood and managed effectively.
• Drive engagement across all participating functions.
• Support training and transition planning.

Resource & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate business resources across multiple functions.
• Identify resource conflicts and escalation requirements.
• Build strong relationships with operational, commercial, finance and technology leaders.
• Ensure clarity of ownership and accountability throughout the programme.
• Act as Danesmoor's lead programme representative with implementation partners.
• Build effective delivery partnerships with suppliers and consultants.
• Monitor partner performance against agreed deliverables and milestones.
• Escalate risks and delivery concerns appropriately.

Data & Business Readiness

• Coordinate business ownership of data migration activities.
• Support data governance and quality improvement initiatives.
• Oversee readiness activities ahead of testing and deployment.
• Ensure appropriate sign-off and acceptance processes are completed.
• Define measurable programme success criteria.
• Track progress against expected business outcomes.
• Monitor realised versus anticipated benefits.
• Maintain visibility of programme value throughout delivery.

Capability Building

• Introduce sustainable programme and project management disciplines.
• Coach workstream leaders in effective delivery practices.
• Embed governance, planning and accountability across the organisation.
• Leave a lasting programme management capability beyond implementation.

Experience

• Proven experience leading large-scale ERP implementation programmes.
• Experience delivering complex multi-year business transformation programmes with multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Track record of managing programmes across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, commercial, finance and technology functions.
• Experience working with ERP vendors, systems integrators and third-party implementation partners.
• Demonstrable success managing organisational change alongside technology implementation.
• Experience establishing and operating programme controls including:
  1. RAID management
  2. Change control
  3. Benefits realisation tracking
• Experience managing programme plans, resources, budgets and delivery outcomes.
• Manufacturing, furniture, KBB or process-driven production environments.
• Multi-site distribution or manufacturing businesses.
• ERP programmes involving data migration, systems integration and master data governance.
• PMO establishment and programme governance framework design.
• Experience coaching and developing internal project and programme management capability.
• Exposure to private equity, owner-managed or family-owned business environments.

Qualifications

• PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMP, PMI or equivalent recognised programme/project management qualification.

Skills required for the job

• Pragmatic and delivery-focused.
• Comfortable operating with Directors, senior leaders and operational teams.
• Highly organised and structured.
• Credible with both business and technology stakeholders
• Able to influence without direct line authority.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Commercially minded and outcome-focused.
• Comfortable working within ambiguity whilst creating clarity.
• Collaborative, whilst willing to challenge constructively.
• Driven to deliver tangible business value rather than simply complete project milestones.
• Strong understanding of programme governance frameworks, business change methodologies and structured delivery approaches.

Success in the Role

Within the first 12 months, you will have:

• Established an effective programme governance structure.
• Mobilised and aligned all business workstreams.
• Embedded delivery discipline and programme controls.
• Created clear visibility of programme risks, issues and dependencies.
• Established strong relationships with implementation partners and key stakeholders.
• Delivered agreed programme milestones.
• Positioned the business for successful adoption and long-term benefits realisation.
• Strengthened Danesmoor Group's programme management capability for the future.