SAP Ariba Project Manager

Queen Square Recruitment; Windsor; Hybrid; GBP 89,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen Square Recruitment seeks an experienced SAP Ariba Programme/Project Manager to lead a major procurement transformation for a large enterprise. You will oversee complex, enterprise-wide initiatives across procurement technology, process transformation, data, change management and business adoption.

The role requires 10+ years of SAP Ariba PM experience and a proven track record delivering large-scale procurement transformations with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of SAP Ariba Programme/Project Management experience.
• Proven delivery of large-scale procurement and technology transformation programmes.
• Strong senior stakeholder and executive engagement skills.
• Experience with SAP Ariba modules: Strategic Sourcing, Contracts Management, Spend Analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Procurement Transformation programmes involving SAP Ariba.
• Manage multiple interdependent projects and workstreams with milestones and budgets.
• Own programme scope, roadmap, schedules, resources and risks.
• Develop implementation strategies, business cases and transition to BAU.

Skills

SAP Ariba

Programme / Project Management

Stakeholder management

Change management

S2P processes

SAP Ariba Certification

Education

PMP/PRINCE2/MSP/SAFe or equivalent programme management certification

Bachelor's degree in Business or IT

Tools

SAP Ariba

SAP ECC

SAP S/4HANA

SAP BTP/CPI

ServiceNow

Job description

Working Pattern: Hybrid – initially 1 day per week onsite

Contract: 6 months

Rate: Up to £800 per day, depending on experience

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Start: ASAP

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced SAP Ariba Programme / Project Manager to lead a major Procurement Transformation programme for a large enterprise organisation.

This is a senior delivery role with responsibility for leading complex, enterprise-wide initiatives across procurement technology, process transformation, data, change management and business adoption. You will manage multiple interdependent workstreams, senior stakeholders and delivery partners to ensure successful implementation and measurable business outcomes.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of relevant SAP Ariba Programme / Project Management experience, together with a strong track record of delivering large-scale procurement and technology transformation programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Delivery Leadership

• Lead end-to-end Procurement Transformation programmes involving SAP Ariba.
• Manage multiple interdependent projects and workstreams, ensuring delivery against agreed milestones and objectives.
• Own programme scope, roadmap, schedules, budgets, resources, risks and delivery outcomes.
• Develop programme plans, implementation strategies and business cases.
• Ensure effective transition of programme deliverables into BAU operations.

Stakeholder & Governance Management

• Work closely with Procurement, Finance, Legal, Technology, Enterprise Architecture, Security and business leadership teams.
• Establish and manage programme governance, steering committees and reporting forums.
• Provide clear reporting on progress, risks, financial performance, dependencies and benefits.
• Manage relationships with system integrators, implementation partners and third-party suppliers.

Risk, Financial & Benefits Management

• Identify and proactively manage programme risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
• Ensure delivery against time, cost, quality and business outcome objectives.
• Drive benefits realisation, including procurement efficiencies, spend visibility, supplier governance, compliance improvements and cost optimisation.
• Monitor programme financials and ensure value is delivered throughout the programme lifecycle.

SAP Ariba & Technology Leadership

• Oversee SAP Ariba implementation and integration within the wider enterprise technology landscape.
• Work collaboratively with Architecture, Security, Data, Integration and Platform teams.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise technology standards and governance frameworks.
• Support Procurement and ESG/CSRD technology initiatives.
• Promote automation, AI, contract intelligence and digital procurement capabilities.

Change & Adoption

• Lead stakeholder engagement and organisational change activities.
• Drive successful adoption of new procurement systems, processes and operating models.
• Develop communication, training and business-readiness strategies.
• Support operating model transformation and service transition.

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of relevant SAP Ariba Programme / Project Management experience.
• Strong Programme and Project Management experience across multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Proven experience with SAP Ariba solutions, including:
• Strategic Sourcing
• Contracts Management
• Spend Analysis
• Strong understanding of Procurement and Source-to-Pay (S2P) processes.
• Experience with supplier management, finance integration, compliance and governance controls.
• Proven track record delivering complex, enterprise-wide technology transformation programmes.
• Experience developing business cases, delivery roadmaps and implementation strategies.
• Excellent senior stakeholder and executive-level engagement skills.
• Experience managing programme budgets, financial performance, benefits realisation and resource planning.
• Strong governance, reporting, risk and portfolio management capabilities.
• Experience managing global system integrators, vendors and third-party suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of SAP Ariba integration with SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA, SAP BTP/CPI and enterprise applications.
• Demonstrable experience leading change management and business adoption.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation and influencing skills.
• SAP Ariba Certification.
• PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, Agile, SAFe or equivalent programme management certification.
• Procurement transformation experience within large enterprise environments.
• Knowledge of ESG / CSRD reporting and compliance programmes.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA transformation programmes.
• Familiarity with ServiceNow and enterprise delivery management tools.
• Understanding of AI-enabled procurement capabilities, including contract intelligence, autonomous sourcing, workflow automation and predictive analytics.
• Experience within regulated industries.
• Experience leading global, multi-vendor delivery environments.
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture, security and data governance frameworks.