Release Manager

Lead the release management function for all SAP quality assurance (QA) systems and coordinate SAP production releases across SAP AFS (LSA, AMA, LSE) and SAP S/4 Fashion landscapes.

Lead the creation of strategies as well as the tactical deployment of release standards, tools and processes in support of release QA/testing activities. Drive adoption (understanding, use, and leverage) of release testing disciplines (tools/processes) across SOLAR according to Global Release Management standards.

Key Metrics:

Ensure the integrity of SAP release management and production environments in accordance with established processes and procedures

• Development & QA systems are in sync according to established release management change procedures.
• Production support and production systems are in sync according to established release management change procedures.
• QA and production system(s) are stable and perform within defined parameters.
• QA processes are followed in compliance with defined procedures and SOX regulations.

QA processes are continually assessed to increase effectiveness and efficiency

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the integrity of SAP Production Support QA environments through the implementation and management of processes and procedures for the movement of transports for Major and Dot Releases. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Leading the transport/change migration process and all associated communications and controls
  • Performing quality checks to validate adherence to release management change migration process.
  • Communication of release schedule, refreshes, testing timelines and blackout periods
• Review, monitor and manage the refresh of environments across the SAP landscapes to ensure transport clean up and current testing environments.
• Ensures the Release Management strategy and plans are fully integrated with IT governance, project lifecycle checkpoints, and release policies and processes resulting in a rolling 18-month release calendar. Includes developing and maintain the release calendar.
• Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in Computer Science, Business Administration, or technology related field

• Experience:

  
  
• Overall – 10 plus years of IT experience as and IT analyst or consultant with knowledge and experience related to IT Release Management.   
• Industry experience – Release and testing strategies, tools, process and technology knowledge and experience, with innovative and progressive solutioning track record.
• Information Technology Literacy:   Experience planning production release for integrated ERP solutions (preferably SAP AFS, FMS, or S/4 Fashion).  Strong proficiency in the software development life cycle including release and testing practices.  Familiarity with IT standards and compliance topics such as Change Control.
• IT Leadership:  Ability to lead an effective RM organization made up of employees and vendor resources both onshore and offshore with highly technical skill sets.  Experience leading successful IT application releases.
• Business Leadership:  An attitude and aptitude for continuously developing business agility, quality and scalability.  The ability to serve as a change agent and influence business direction.  Serves as an advocate for the project stakeholders and evangelize the functions of QA and RM back to application owners and the business.
• Communications:  Strong written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, excellent facilitation and presentation skills.
• Ability to Work in a Global, Matrixed Environment:  The role and resources are broadly distributed.  Must be effective at managing remote resources in a dual-report and matrixed structure.  An understanding and appreciation of the challenges of working globally with a respect and understanding of the diversity of our people and cultures.
• Achievement Orientation:  Knowledge of how the delivery of IT solutions can enable achievement.  Skills required include people management; project management; proactive problem solving; decision-making; risk taking; execution expertise.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills:  The ability to utilize both quantifiable and qualitative information to quickly draw conclusions. Demonstrated facilitation skills working with cross-functional technical teams.  Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.  Skilled in proactive and reactive responsiveness to identify and manage situations or concerns that may adversely affect service delivery.

Key Relationships:

Members of the QA and RM teams, Business Partners, SOLAR Project Team members, application owners. Collaboration with Systems Integrator (SI), application vendors and technical partners.  Consults with and supports IT Leaders/IT peers.