Job Description:
Our client has an exciting opportunity for an SAP PLM Solution Architect to join their Information Technology team based out of their corporate office in Oak Brook, IL. This role serves as the strategic technology partner for Research & Development, Product Innovation, and Commercialization, driving technology solutions that support product development, formulation, specifications, portfolio management, and commercialization. The ideal candidate will partner closely with business leaders to improve processes, enhance data quality, accelerate speed-to-market, and maximize the value of technology, automation, analytics, and AI across the innovation lifecycle.
You’ll add value to this role by performing various functions including, but not limited to:
- Serve as the primary IT partner for R&D, Product Development, Commercialization, and related business functions, building trusted relationships with business leaders to understand priorities, challenges, and future innovation needs.
- Partner with R&D, Quality, Operations, Regulatory, and Growth Unit teams to identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve data quality, eliminate manual work, and accelerate speed-to-market through technology, automation, analytics, and AI.
- Own the operational stability, performance, support, and continuous improvement of the R&D technology platform landscape, serving as the primary escalation point for business-critical issues.
- Translate business objectives into technology strategies, roadmaps, and delivery plans that drive product development efficiency, collaboration, data integrity, and business outcomes.
- Leverage deep expertise in SAP PLM, PPM, Product Specifications, Recipe Management, and related R&D processes to maximize the value of technology investments supporting innovation and commercialization.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, digital capabilities, automation opportunities, and future platform solutions to support long-term business and innovation objectives.
- Define and execute the technology roadmap supporting product innovation, portfolio management, and commercialization across.
- Ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value through process improvement, operational efficiency, enhanced data governance, and improved speed-to-market.
- Manage key suppliers, vendors, and stakeholder relationships, ensuring effective delivery, support, and continuous improvement of technology solutions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional business and IT teams to establish scalable, sustainable processes and technology capabilities that support future growth and innovation.
You’ll fit right in if you have:
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or a related discipline is required.
- 5-7+ years of experience supporting enterprise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Product Portfolio Management (PPM), or R&D technology platforms.
- Deep expertise with SAP PLM/PPM, Product Specifications, Recipe Management, and related SAP capabilities, with broader SAP experience in MM, PP, and QM preferred.
- Strong understanding of product development, innovation, commercialization, Quality, Regulatory, Master Data Management, and product data governance processes within consumer-packaged goods, food manufacturing, or similar manufacturing environments.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional business process improvement and technology transformation initiatives, including evaluating, implementing, and supporting PLM platforms and related digital solutions.
- Experience with workflow platforms, low-code application development, automation technologies, and emerging digital capabilities is preferred.
- Strong business partnership, stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to translate business strategies into technology roadmaps and drive alignment without direct authority.
- Product-oriented mindset with strong systems thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a focus on delivering measurable business value.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for simplification, operational excellence, and leveraging emerging technologies to solve business challenges.
- Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field
Salary/Rate: $75-$90/HR (depends on experience level). This is a contract position with candidates expected to work 40 hours/ week. Upon conversation the salary would be $140,000-$150,000 (depends on experience level) + Benefits.