Interim Head of Core Applications

Refresco; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 165,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Refresco, headquartered in Rotterdam, seeks an Interim Head of IT Applications to lead the European SAP and non-SAP application landscape. You will oversee application support, lifecycle management and external partners, ensuring continuity during the leadership transition.

You bring 15+ years in enterprise applications with SAP S/4HANA, transformation programs and IT leadership. This role requires decisive direction, strong governance, and collaboration with Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing

Qualifications

• 15+ years in enterprise applications including SAP S/4HANA.
• Experience in interim, transitional or transformation leadership.
• Strong governance, risk and compliance knowledge (SOX, GDPR).
• Proven ability to manage internal teams and external AMS providers.
• Experience in manufacturing, FMCG or supply-chain environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the European SAP and non-SAP application organisation.
• Maintain stability and performance of business-critical applications including SAP S/4HANA.
• Manage application teams, AMS providers and outsourcing partners.
• Oversee delivery, enhancements, releases and lifecycle management.
• Act as senior escalation point for critical issues.
• Drive transformation programmes and SAP S/4HANA rollout to UK, Iberia & Italy.
• Partner with Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Sales, HR and Quality.
• Ensure SOX, ITGC, GDPR and cybersecurity governance compliance.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, investments and cost-optimisation.
• Prepare structured handover for permanent successor.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Transformation leadership

Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

SAP EWM

SAP IBP

SAP Finance

MES

MDM

Job description

Interim Head of IT Applications

Freelance / Interim

At a glance

• Location: Rotterdam, European HQ
• Type: Interim
• Start date: 1st of September
• Duration: At least 7 months
• Days: 5 days per week
• Reporting to: Director IT Europe
• Direct reports: 17 (?)

Experience

15+ years in enterprise applications SAP S/4HANA, application strategy, AMS, transformation, IT leadership

Why this assignment?

Following the departure of our permanent Head of Applications, we are looking for an experienced interim leader to provide continuity and direction across our European SAP and non-SAP application landscape.

You will safeguard business-critical applications, keep transformation initiatives moving and ensure that teams and service providers remain aligned until a permanent successor is appointed.

The core assignment

You will take temporary leadership of the European application organisation, overseeing application support, engineering, lifecycle management and external partners.

Success means a stable and secure application landscape, continued progress on key initiatives and a smooth handover to the permanent Head of Applications.

What You Will Do

• Lead the European SAP and non-SAP application organisation.
• Maintain the stability and performance of business-critical applications, including SAP S/4HANA.
• Manage application teams, AMS providers and outsourcing partners.
• Oversee application delivery, enhancements, releases and lifecycle management.
• Act as the senior escalation point for critical application issues.
• Maintain momentum across key transformation programmes, including the Roll out of SAP S/4HANA to UK, Iberia & Italy.
• Partner with business leaders across Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Sales, HR and Quality.
• Ensure compliance with SOX, ITGC, GDPR, cybersecurity and internal governance requirements.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, investments and cost-optimisation initiatives.
• Prepare a structured handover for the permanent successor.

What You Bring

• At least 15 years of enterprise application experience, including eight or more years in senior IT leadership roles.
• Strong experience with SAP S/4HANA and complex SAP and non-SAP application landscapes.
• Experience in interim, transitional or transformation leadership assignments.
• A proven ability to manage application portfolios, internal teams and external AMS providers.
• The ability to assess complex environments quickly, set priorities and provide decisive leadership.
• Strong knowledge of service management, release governance and application lifecycle management.
• Experience with digital transformation, application standardisation and process harmonisation.
• A solid understanding of SOX, ITGC, GDPR, cybersecurity and segregation of duties.
• Strong stakeholder-management and financial-management skills.
• Experience in manufacturing, FMCG or supply-chain environments is preferred.
• Knowledge of SAP EWM, SAP IBP, SAP Finance, SAP Procurement, MES and MDM platforms is beneficial.

Important to know: We are currently unable to offer relocation support for this position. Candidates must be based locally in The Netherlands.