Product Expert, Ariba

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will be responsible for acting as the Zoetis Ariba manager. The position will also be responsible for maintaining and enhancing Ariba functionality and configuration within SAP ECC as well as acting as the IT help desk representative for Ariba SAP related queries and issues. The position is also responsible for deploying and supporting Ariba functionality regionally as part of the existing global implementation and new acquisitions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
§ Support and manage the Procure to Pay process.
§ Translate and influence business and functional solution requirements with Business stakeholders.
§ Drive Ariba deployments; Collaborate with and support ECC deployments as appropriate.
§ Develop, Configure, prototype, test and implement solution & enhancements.
§ Review and analyze solution enhancement requests to determine complexity and provide resource/cost estimates.
§ Deploy global ITS processes, develop, and maintain organizational quality indicators, and monitor client satisfaction.
§ Provide information to ITS and Business leadership regarding best practices, industry trends and business opportunities, as well as feedback on the overall performance of processes and tools.
§ Understand key business controls and impacts of changes caused by functionality, technology changes and changing business needs. 
§ Provide support for global and regional systems and services.
§ Identify and initiate process improvements (continuous improvement)
§ Monitor process compliance and performance metrics.
§ Execute key operational process activities.
§ Train and transfer knowledge to other team members, users and stakeholders as required

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Percent of Time
§ Design and implement comprehensive solutions for Ariba, including rollouts, enhancements.
§ Ensure operational efficiency and meet key performance indicators (KPIs). 50%
§ Ensure Testing-Quality Assurance, Process Optimization-Automation, Reporting-Analytics and Governance-Compliance 20%
§ Proficiency in delivering WRICEF objects, ensuring seamless cross-functional integration and efficient integration with external systems for streamlined business processes. 20%
§ Lead and manage the team, ensuring high performance and alignment with organizational goals. Provide mentorship to team members fostering their growth, skill development, and seamless integration. 10%

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
§ Ensure customer expectations have been met through delivery and ongoing execution of services.
§ Gather and analyze business requests to determine how best to create successful resolution for new requests and issues.
§ Help consumers understand service offerings available from internal ITS service providers and facilitating service delivery.
§ Support client, prepare business case for ITS investment.
§ Align IT services with current and future needs of the business and its customers while improving quality of services delivered.
§ Follow governance processes that facilitate business prioritization and align with ITS
§ Work with Business counterparts to ensure audit, SOX and other compliance requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
§ Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science/Information Systems or science related field.
§ Master’s degree preferred or science related field.

Experience:
§ 10+ years of experience over all with 8+ years of SAP Ariba-related experience with multiple full life cycle implementations preferred.
§ Demonstrated experience of various IT practices, including but not limited to operational service delivery and project implementations.
§ Proven ability to quickly learn existing Business Processes and combine knowledge from multiple disciplines (e.g., SAP capability, Standard industry best practice) to produce an optimal business solution.
§ Demonstrated ability to work across organizational regional and global boundaries, ability to multitask and manage multiple projects in a cross-divisional and cross-functional environment.
§ Ability to work independently, effectively coordinating multiple priorities in a dynamic and changing environment and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
§ Adept at understanding customer challenges, navigating from problem to resolution and communicating process and resolution effectively both verbally and in writing.
§ Strategic Application of Information Systems and business analysis
• Experience in life sciences / pharmaceuticals industry preferred.

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

§ Extensive experience with SAP Ariba systems for indirect procurement and associated edge systems
§ Experience with SAP Ariba Procure-to-Pay, SAP Ariba Network, SAP Ariba Catalog Management, SAP Ariba Sourcing and Contract Management, Supplier Lifecycle and Performance Management, Spend Visibility, SAP Ariba Category Management, SAP Ariba Spend Control Tower, SAP Ariba Supply chain Collaboration and SAP Ariba open APIs.
§ Experience leading change by implementing enterprise-wide business planning and processing applications.
§ Knowledge of other key systems/tools such as Fieldglass, HPALM, ServiceNow tool, MS office suite of products.
§ Basic knowledge of key integration points with SAP application areas such as MM, AP, VIM, IBP.
§ Identify, propose, and influence technology solutions to build and maintain the optimal data and infrastructure architecture to support the reporting requirements.
§ Good understanding of end-to-end business processes required.
§ Knowledge of shared service type/centers of excellence operations preferred.
§ Business Process Analysis, Design & Improvement
§ Emerging Technology Monitoring.
§ Project management and systems integration
§ Management and Operations

Skills:
§ Excellent written, oral and presentation skills
§ Customer focus
§ Strategic thinking and analytical skills
§ Timely decision making
§ Problem solving
§ Negotiation skills
§ Fluency in English (written and spoken) is a must.

PHYSICAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS
§ ZICC Standard hrs:  2 pm to 11 pm (default) IST

Full time