Senior IT Director, ERP Applications

Komatsu; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 230,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k and/or employee savings programs

Employee time off (vacation and public

Employee assistance programs

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Employee learning and development

Job summary

Komatsu seeks a Senior IT Director of ERP Applications to lead the SAP S/4HANA transformation and establish a robust ERP operating model. You will align ERP strategy with process design and drive readiness for sustained post‑go‑live value across the enterprise.

You will partner with executives to ensure governance, risk management, and performance improvements, while overseeing vendor relationships and a scalable support model.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (Business, IT, or related field).
• 15+ years of IT experience, including 8–10 years in IT management or transformation leadership.
• Proven record of delivering global SAP S/4HANA transformations with measurable outcomes.
• Experience transitioning large ERP programs from implementation to steady-state operations.
• Ability to align IT strategy and architecture with enterprise process design and business goals.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end ERP lifecycle, including transformation strategy and transition to steady-state operations.
• Define multiyear ERP roadmap integrating process harmonization, data standardization, and modernization.
• Establish ERP operating model with clear accountability for run, enhance, and innovate activities.
• Lead design through deployment, stabilization, and transition to steadystate operations.

Skills

Executive leadership

ERP strategy

SAP S/4HANA

Transformation programs

Vendor governance

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA (preferred)

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Senior IT Director, ERP Applications (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Job Overview

The Senior IT Director, ERP Applications owns Komatsu's SAP S/4HANA transformation and long-term ERP operating model. This role is accountable for delivering a successful implementation and ensuring the organization is prepared to operate, support, and continuously improve the platform post go‑live, driving system stability, adoption, and sustained business value.

As a trusted business and technology leader, this individual quickly builds credibility with executive and functional stakeholders, aligning ERP strategy, process design, and organizational readiness to fully embed ERP capabilities into day‑to‑day operations.

This role requires a leader with strong business acumen, deep technical expertise across platforms, and a proven track record leading large‑scale transformation programs and complex vendor ecosystems.

What Success Looks Like

• SAP S/4HANA operating as a stable, trusted enterprise platform
• Clear business ownership of ERP‑enabled processes
• A scalable ERP support model with defined accountability
• Measurable improvements in efficiency, data quality, and decision‑making
• Reduced post‑go‑live risk and reliance on external vendors over time

Key Job Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership & Strategy
  Own the end‑to‑end ERP lifecycle, including transformation strategy, implementation delivery, and transition to steadystate operations.
  Define and maintain a multiyear ERP roadmap that integrates process harmonization, data standardization, technology modernization, and post‑go‑live optimization.
  Establish a clear ERP operating model that defines accountability for run, enhance, and innovate activities following implementation.
  Anticipate future technology, business, and industry trends to ensure ERP capabilities continue to enable enterprise performance.
• Transformation, Stabilization & Operational Readiness
  Lead the full ERP lifecycle from design through deployment, stabilization, and transition to steadystate operations.
  Ensure the organization is prepared to support, maintain, and evolve the ERP platform through clearly defined ownership, support structures, and operating processes.
  Own hyper‑care and stabilization phases, ensuring performance, adoption, and business confidence are established before transitioning to normal operations.
  Drive enterprise process harmonization and ensure standardized processes are embedded into daily operations and performance management.
• Business Relationship Management
  Establish trust and credibility with executive and functional leaders by demonstrating deep understanding of their operational priorities and challenges.
  Operate as the enterprise integrator‑aligning business strategy, process ownership, and ERP execution to deliver measurable performance improvements.
  Partner with business leaders to transition from a “project mindset” to operational ownership of ERP‑enabled processes.
  Ensure transparent, consistent communication of ERP performance, risks, and outcomes during both transformation and steadystate operations.
• Vendor & Partner Governance
  Serve as the single accountable executive owner for ERP vendors across implementation and post‑implementation support, ensuring delivery quality, operational stability, and value realization.
  Transition vendor engagement models from implementation‑focused delivery to sustainable support and optimization frameworks.
  Hold partners accountable for business outcomes, not just technical milestones.
• Technology & Operations Oversight
  Ensure ERP platforms and surrounding systems operate reliably and securely during migration and in steadystate operations.
  Establish ERP service management, monitoring, escalation, and performance metrics to support reliable day‑to‑day operations post‑go‑live.
  Own ERP operational risk management, including cybersecurity, compliance, licensing, and resilience.
  Ensure legacy systems are responsibly decommissioned or integrated following ERP deployment.
• Talent Development & Team Leadership
  Build and lead a senior ERP leadership organization spanning ERP systems, enterprise applications, data/integration, and business transformation.
  Develop internal capabilities to support, operate, and continuously improve the ERP platform—reducing long‑term reliance on external partners.
  Create a culture that treats ERP as a long‑term enterprise capability, not a one‑time implementation.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (Business, IT, or related field); MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of IT experience, including 8‑10 years in IT management or technology transformation leadership.
• Proven record of delivering global SAP S/4HANA transformations that achieved measurable business outcomes—process harmonization, operational efficiency, and cost optimization.
• Proven experience transitioning large ERP programs from implementation into stable, scalable, and well‑governed steadystate operations.
• Demonstrated ability to align IT strategy and architecture with enterprise process design and business goals.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, or asset‑intensive industries strongly preferred.
• Visionary leadership with the ability to align IT with long‑term business goals.
• Deep understanding of SAP S/4HANA ecosystem, integrations, and cloud platforms.
• Strong organizational change management capabilities and transformation delivery experience.
• Skilled in program governance, risk mitigation, and vendor relationship management.
• Solid grounding in cybersecurity, data governance, and compliance standards.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Hiring Range

Base pay: $230,000‑290,000. The actual offer will consider a wide range of factors, including experience and location.

Company Benefits

• Health benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA, wellness programs, etc.
• 401k and/or employee savings programs.
• Employee time off (vacation and designated holidays).
• Employee and family assistance programs.
• Disability benefits.
• Life insurance.
• Employee learning and development programs.

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

At Komatsu, we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We believe our people are part of our shared purpose. Connected by our core values of ambition, perseverance, collaboration, and authenticity, we are committed to continually advancing our support of diversity and inclusion. United, we are on a journey toward a sustainable future that creates value together.

Company Information

Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment, and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial, and forestry markets. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu employs more than 64,000 people worldwide, operating in more than 140 countries. For more than a century, the company has created value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Since the company's founding in 1921, Komatsu has been committed to supporting individuals and communities through job training, skills development, and giving back. As a Komatsu employee, you will be encouraged to grow alongside our global company, contributing to a more sustainable future for all. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, join Komatsu to be part of something big and help advance modern society.

EEO Statement

Komatsu is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.