What does an ERP Project Manager do? (ERP PM Job Description and R&R)

If you're hiring an ERP project manager then you'll need to understand the roles and responsibilities these professionals undertake to build a good ERP project manager job description. 

In this post, we'll describe the roles and responsibilities of ERP project managers, provide you an ERP project manager job description and answer some of the frequently asked questions around ERP PM's.

ERP Project Manager Job Description

Overview:

An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation of an ERP system in an organization. The ERP Project Manager must work closely with stakeholders, including the executive team, department managers, IT personnel, and end-users, to ensure the ERP system meets the organization's requirements and objectives. The ERP Project Manager is responsible for the successful implementation of the ERP system within budget, on schedule, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

What are the roles and responsibilities of an ERP Project Manager?

1. Project Planning and Management: The ERP Project Manager is responsible for creating and maintaining a comprehensive project plan that outlines the project's scope, schedule, budget, and resources required. They must also establish a project team, define roles and responsibilities, and create a communication plan that includes regular status updates and stakeholder engagement. The ERP Project Manager should monitor progress, identify risks, and develop mitigation strategies to keep the project on track.

2. Stakeholder Management: The ERP Project Manager must work closely with stakeholders, including the executive team, department managers, IT personnel, and end-users, to ensure the ERP system meets the organization's requirements and objectives. They must develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, communicate project updates, and manage expectations to ensure stakeholder satisfaction.

3. Budget Management: The ERP Project Manager must establish a project budget, track costs, and report on budget variances. They must work with stakeholders to identify cost-saving opportunities and develop contingency plans to manage project costs effectively.

4. Risk Management: The ERP Project Manager must identify project risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate these risks. They should be proactive in identifying risks and work with stakeholders to develop a risk management plan that includes risk assessment, risk response, and risk monitoring.

5. Resource Management: The ERP Project Manager must manage project resources, including project team members, vendors, and contractors. They must ensure that the project team is appropriately staffed, trained, and motivated to achieve project objectives. They must also manage vendor and contractor relationships to ensure that deliverables are met within budget and on schedule.

6. Quality Management: The ERP Project Manager must ensure that project tasks are completed on time and to the required quality standards. They must establish quality control processes, conduct regular quality audits, and work with stakeholders to develop corrective actions when necessary.

7. Change Management: The ERP Project Manager must develop a change management plan that includes stakeholder engagement, communication, and training to ensure that end-users are prepared for the new system's implementation. They must also manage changes to the project scope, schedule, and budget, and ensure that stakeholders are informed of these changes.

Qualifications:

What qualifications and education do you need to have as an ERP project manager? 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, or related field. • 5+ years of experience in project management, including experience managing ERP implementations. • PMP certification or equivalent project management certification preferred. • Strong leadership and communication skills. • Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively. • Knowledge of ERP systems and implementation methodologies. • Knowledge of project management tools and software. • Experience managing cross-functional teams. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • Strong attention to detail. • Ability to work independently and in a team environment. • Ability to work under pressure and manage tight deadlines.

Working Conditions:

The ERP Project Manager will work in an office environment, although remote work may be an option in some cases. The ERP Project Manager may be required to work outside of normal business hours to accommodate project deadlines and stakeholder availability. The ERP Project Manager must be willing to travel occasionally to meet with stakeholders, attend training sessions, or manage project resources.

Salary:

How much do ERP project managers earn? How much should you pay an ERP project manager? What is the salary of an ERP PM?

The salary for an ERP Project Manager will vary depending on experience and location, but typically ranges from $90,000 to $140,000 per year. In addition to salary, ERP Project Managers may be eligiblefor bonuses and other benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The salary may also be higher for ERP Project Managers with advanced certifications, extensive experience, or working in high-cost-of-living areas.

Career Path:

What is the career path of an ERP Project Manager? How can an ERP project manager advance?

An ERP Project Manager can advance their career by taking on larger and more complex projects, managing multiple projects simultaneously, or moving into a senior management role within the organization such as CIO. They can also specialize in specific ERP systems or industries to become an expert in their field, whether in SAP, Oracle, Microsoft or other popular ERP systems. Alternatively, they may choose to become a consultant or work for a vendor that provides ERP system implementation services.

Which ERP Project Manager is right for your organization?

It's important that when selecting an ERP project manager, that you make the right choice. 

We believe that this comes down to selecting based on key qualities and attributes, such as:

1. Technology Specialization

Every ERP system tends to have it's own unique implementation methodology, quirks and best practices for implementation. Each ERP also has a unique ecosystem of consultants, implementation partners and more. 

It certainly improves your odds of success by choosing an ERP project manager that specializes in the ERP system you're choosing to implement, such as SAP, Microsoft, Infor, Workday or Oracle.

2. Industry Specialization

An ERP system for a manufacturing company is radically different to an ERP which suits a services organization or a pharmaceutical company. Your industry will determine the type of ERP requirements your business has, some of the complexities associated with implementing an ERP system within your business and more. 

It's a great idea therefore to choose an ERP project manager with specialization within your specific industry vertical.

3. Cultural Fit

An ERP project manager is going to be the interface between your organization and external ERP consultancies and service providers. Your ERP PM will guide your teams through one of the most stressful and risky processes a business can go through.

For the success of your ERP project, you must hire an ERP project manager who is a good cultural fit with the rest of your organization and most importantly your ERP project team itself.

Why hire an ERP Project Manager?

A company would hire an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) project manager for several reasons, including:

1. Implementing an ERP system: ERP systems are complex and involve several departments and processes within an organization. A project manager with experience in implementing ERP systems can help ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and with minimal disruption to the organization.

2. Streamlining business processes: An ERP system is designed to integrate all the core business processes into a single system, including finance, human resources, sales, and supply chain management. An ERP project manager can help streamline these processes by identifying areas for improvement and implementing best practices.

3. Maximizing the ROI: ERP systems are a significant investment for any organization, and a project manager can help maximize the ROI by ensuring the system is implemented correctly, on time, and within budget. They can also help identify areas for cost savings and increased efficiency.

4. Managing change: Implementing an ERP system involves significant change management, including training employees, communicating changes, and addressing resistance. An ERP project manager can help manage this change by developing a comprehensive change management plan and ensuring employees are adequately trained and supported throughout the implementation process.

5. Ensuring compliance: ERP systems often involve compliance with industry-specific regulations, such as Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, or GDPR. An ERP project manager can help ensure the system is compliant with these regulations and implement the necessary controls and processes to maintain compliance.

Overall, an ERP project manager is essential to the successful implementation and management of an ERP system within an organization. They bring expertise, experience, and leadership skills that can help ensure the project is completed successfully, on time, and within budget, while maximizing the ROI and minimizing disruption to the organization.