Manager SAP Project NA

Smurfit Westrock Company; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking an experienced Manager SAP Project NA to oversee estimation, planning, execution, and delivery of SAP projects within the Global SAP CoE. You will manage a project team, ensure on-time, on-budget delivery, and maintain quality standards across the portfolio.

You will collaborate with Product Managers, demand and capacity leads, and stakeholders to optimize resources, monitor risks, and drive continuous improvement within a complex SAP environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of SAP project management experience.
• Fluent business English (verbal and written).
• PMP or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience leading large SAP teams in multicultural environments.

Responsibilities

• Delivery Management: manage all aspects of project lifecycle and deliverables.
• Team & Resource Management: prioritize and allocate SAP experts, monitor budget and performance.
• Monitoring, QA & Reporting: conduct reviews, track progress, and report to steering committee.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Resource management

Stakeholder management

Agile & Waterfall

Risk management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Systems/Business Administration/Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Project management tools

Job description

The Manager SAP Project NA oversees the estimation, planning, execution, and delivery of projects for the Global SAP CoE ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The Manager SAP Project is responsible for managing the project team on a day-to-day basis to ensure project delivery. Multiple FTE can be overseen by the Manager SAP Project NA, team size however it is project dependent. The Manager SAP Project NA is expected to travel once or twice per month depending on the projects to which they are assigned.

Your accountabilities

1. Delivery Management

• Manage all aspects of project life cycle to facilitate successful delivery together with Business Project Management.
• Create project estimations, scope, timelines, resource requirements and support capex submissions together with SW operations.
• Own project deliverables, manage risks, and ensure the application of project methodology in accordance with SW SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle).
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, standards, and best practices for project management, in collaboration with the PMO Lead.
• Manage day-to-day project activities, ensuring effective communication within the project team.
• Ensure effective stakeholder communication and engagement, providing regular updates and reports on project status.
• Facilitate project kick-off, project meetings, and closure meetings to align all stakeholders.
• Manage project scope changes, ensuring all adjustments are properly documented and approved.

2. Team & Resource Management

• Liaise with Product Managers and Demand & Capacity Lead to agree capacity for seconded SAP experts
• Manage the delivery and performance of the SAP experts in collaboration with the Expert’s Product Manager.
• Prioritize and distribute resources and work, following up on the budget and taking necessary corrective actions to address project deviations.

3. Monitoring, Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Conduct regular project reviews and assessments, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitor project progress, identifying and mitigating risks and issues to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Provide status reporting to the project steering committee.
• Track and report on project budgets, resource utilization, key milestones, and timeline adherence.
• Ensure quality assurance is performed throughout the project lifecycle, including deliverable validation and lessons learned documentation.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to align project objectives with overall program goals and portfolio priorities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, incorporating feedback and best practices into future projects.

Role organization and scope

The Managers SAP Project are part of the broader SAP Programs department in the Global SAP CoE. The SAP Programs organization leads the delivery of major transformation initiatives, new implementations, and business-driven projects across the enterprise. It manages the SAP project portfolio, applies proven project management methodologies, and ensures successful execution from estimation & planning through to hypercare. This team coordinates cross-functional resources, manages risks, schedules, and budgets, and partners closely with both business and IT stakeholders to ensure that projects deliver tangible value and strategic outcomes.

Typical Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• 10+ years of relevant working experience in project management within an SAP environment. ESSENTIAL
• Fluent in business English (verbal and written). ESSENTIAL
• Fluency in one or more additional languages (e.g., Spanish or French) is a significant asset. DESIRABLE
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent work experience). DESIRABLE
• Proven track record in SAP project delivery, within complex organisational landscapes (or in possession of PMP certification and equivalent experience). ESSENTIAL
• Expertise in project management and related methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall), including budgeting, forecasting, resource management, and capacity planning. ESSENTIAL
• Exceptional stakeholder management, able to build strategic relationships and influence senior leaders, business, and IT stakeholders including system integrators. ESSENTIAL
• Significant experience in managing large SAP teams in multicultural, process-driven, and regulated environments. ESSENTIAL
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on risk management, compliance, and data-driven decision making. ESSENTIAL
• Excellent documentation skills, with proficiency in MS Office, collaboration and project management tools & reporting. ESSENTIAL
• Advanced business acumen and communication skills, able to bridge technical solutions and business value for a range of audiences. ESSENTIAL
• High integrity, professionalism, and adaptability, with a commitment to inclusive leadership and clear, audience-appropriate communication. ESSENTIAL

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.