IT Business Applications Manager

A leading organization in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is seeking a dynamic, passionate, confident, proactive, and meticulous Business Application Manager to join a high-performing Information Technology team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and optimizing the organization’s business application landscape, ensuring alignment between technology solutions and strategic business objectives while maintaining compliance with industry regulations and best practices.

The Business Application Manager will oversee the full lifecycle management of enterprise applications, including implementation, enhancement, maintenance, support, and retirement. The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, project management capabilities, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders in a highly regulated environment.

• Manage the organization’s application portfolio, including the selection, implementation, maintenance, optimization, and retirement of applications.
  
• Align application strategies with business objectives and operational priorities.
  
• Ensure optimal utilization of IT resources and technology investments.
  

• Maintain strong knowledge of enterprise applications, including ERP, CRM, data management, and industry-specific systems.
  
• Stay informed of emerging technologies and trends in application management and digital transformation.
  
• Lead initiatives that improve business processes through automation and innovation.
  

• Plan, execute, and deliver application-related projects within scope, budget, and timelines.
  
• Apply project management methodologies, tools, and best practices to ensure successful outcomes.
  

• Oversee the full application lifecycle, including:
  • Requirements gathering
    
  • Design
    
  • Development
    
  • Testing
    
  • Deployment
    
  • Support and maintenance
    
  • Retirement
    

• Manage relationships with application vendors and service providers.
  
• Evaluate vendor performance and ensure compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
  
• Negotiate contracts and support procurement processes where necessary.
  

• Translate complex business requirements into functional specifications and technology solutions.
  
• Analyze application performance metrics and identify improvement opportunities.
  
• Support data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency initiatives.
  

• Troubleshoot application-related issues and implement effective corrective actions.
  
• Conduct root cause analysis and drive long-term resolution strategies.
  

• Implement and manage change control processes related to application enhancements and upgrades.
  
• Communicate system changes effectively and ensure smooth user adoption.
  

• Lead and mentor the IT applications team.
  
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on innovation and continuous learning.
  
• Provide coaching, guidance, and professional development support to team members.
  

• Ensure applications meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and security best practices.
  
• Oversee testing, validation, and compliance activities to maintain system reliability and integrity.
  

• Strong leadership and people management skills
  
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  
• Business process understanding and strategic thinking
  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and regulated environment
  
• Strong organizational and time management capabilities
  
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
  

• SAP Certification
  
• ITIL Certification
  
• Project Management Certification (e.g., PRINCE2)
  

• 7–10 years’ proven experience in IT application management, preferably within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
  
• Strong technical knowledge of application lifecycle management, including application selection, implementation, support, maintenance, and retirement.
  
• Experience managing complex enterprise application landscapes, including:
  • ERP systems
    
  • Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
    
  • Quality Management Systems (QMS)
    
• Demonstrated experience leading application-related projects using formal project management methodologies and tools.
  
• Experience with SAP technologies, including SAP HANA and SAP S/4HANA.
  
• Exposure to and implementation experience in one or more of the following:
  • Generative AI
    
  • Data Analytics & Data Science
    
  • Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
    
  • Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)
    
  • Process Mining
    

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements, including:
  • FDA regulations
    
  • GxP guidelines
    
  • Data privacy regulations