Senior SAP ERP Integration Lead - Pharma (6-12 months)
This is a freelance contract position (6-12 months) supporting the integration of a newly acquired manufacturing site into a global ERP and quality landscape. The programme has already started and is now entering a broader, more complex phase with increased senior stakeholder involvement across Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, IT, and IP ownership.
The project focuses on transitioning legacy processes and systems into a large‑scale SAP environment, stabilising operations, and preparing the site for upcoming digitalisation initiatives, including the move from paper batch records to Electronic Batch Records (EBR).
The client is seeking a senior, hands‑on SAP ERP professional who can operate confidently in a live, evolving programme, bring clarity where ERP maturity is limited, and engage effectively with multiple business and technical stakeholders.
Please note: this role is offered on a freelance basis only. There is no sponsorship available. Candidates must already hold the right to work in the Netherlands (EU passport or valid Dutch work authorisation).
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a senior SAP ERP integration lead for a newly acquired GMP manufacturing site joining a wider global SAP landscape
- Support and guide the transition from legacy systems and processes into SAP (ECC / S/4HANA), ensuring alignment with global templates while accommodating local site realities
- Work closely with stakeholders across Production, QA, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, IT and IP ownership to capture requirements, map processes, and resolve gaps
- Provide subject‑matter leadership across multiple SAP‑connected applications and interfaces (e.g. MES, QMS, LIMS, warehouse systems, planning, finance)
- Support integration, data migration, and interface strategy to ensure data integrity, compliance, and operational continuity
- Help shape and support the roadmap from paper batch records to Electronic Batch Records (EBR), including prerequisite ERP and process maturity
- Operate as a senior, credible presence in workshops, governance forums, and decision‑making meetings, supporting a programme that is already in flight
- Identify risks, dependencies, and integration issues early, actively supporting issue resolution across teams
- Contribute to inspection‑ready delivery in a regulated GMP environment, working alongside QA and validation teams as required
Required Experience & Profile
- Strong senior‑level experience on large‑scale SAP ERP programmes, ideally within life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotech, or other highly regulated industries
- Broad end‑to‑end process understanding, beyond a single SAP module (manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and finance process exposure highly valued)
- Proven experience integrating or onboarding new sites into existing ERP and digital frameworks
- Comfortable working in complex, ambiguous programmes where not everything is fully defined at the outset
- Experience working with or alongside validated SAP environments and regulated IT landscapes (CSV/Annex 11/Part 11 awareness highly desirable)
- Exposure to or hands‑on involvement in EBR/MES initiatives or paper‑to‑electronic batch record transitions is a strong advantage
- Confident stakeholder manager, able to engage senior business and technical stakeholders and bridge the gap between business processes and system design
Nice to Have
- SAP S/4HANA transformation or migration experience
- Experience with system integrations (MES, LIMS, QMS, WMS, planning tools, interfaces)
- Prior involvement in M&A, site transfers, or carve‑out integrations
- Life sciences manufacturing background or close alignment with shop‑floor operations