Senior Manager – IT ERP Applications

About the role

The Sr. Manager – IT ERP Applications leads Valmont Industries' Tower 1 (ERP & Core Operations) team within the Global IT Application Services organization. This position is responsible for the full lifecycle management of enterprise ERP platforms — including IFS, QAD, SAP S/4HANA, Sage, Epicor, Dynamics GP, and related applications — spanning more than 40 ERP instances across Valmont's global business units.

Responsibilities

• Lead Tower 1 — ERP & Core Operations — owning the full lifecycle of Valmont's enterprise ERP portfolio, including IFS (migrating to IFS Cloud), QAD (migrating to QAD Adaptive), SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Sage 100, Epicor, Dynamics GP, and additional ERP platforms across 40+ global instances.
• Serve as Trusted Advisor and primary IT business partner to business segment leaders, plant managers, and functional stakeholders across all Valmont divisions, proactively communicating ERP capabilities and driving alignment with the digital program roadmap.
• Educate, influence, and convince business stakeholders to adopt appropriate ERP solutions aligned with Valmont's enterprise digital strategy; build compelling business cases that translate technology value into business outcomes.
• Demonstrate active listening skills and genuine openness to business feedback, incorporating stakeholder input into ERP strategy, prioritization, and implementation approaches.
• Directly manage multiple IT Managers and their teams of functional analysts, business analysts, and technical resources supporting ERP platforms globally.
• Drive ERP instance rationalization and consolidation toward a strategic target of 3–4 platforms aligned with Valmont's long-term technology strategy.
• Lead ERP implementation and upgrade projects including IFS Cloud migration and QAD Adaptive migration; oversee discovery, configuration, training, conference room pilots, issue resolution, and go-live support.
• Coordinate closely with Tower 4 (Application Platform & Administration) for ERP system administration, BASIS support, and platform provisioning; and with Tower 5 (Application Experience & Support) for functional BA support and end-user enablement.
• Identify, manage, and align on all overlaps, integration touchpoints, and shared dependencies between Tower 1 (ERP & Core Operations) and Tower 2 (Industrial Operations & Engineering) and Tower 3 (Customer & Commercial Platform) ensuring seamless end-to-end process coverage and avoiding duplication of ownership across ERP and adjacent platforms.
• Collaborate closely with the IT Software Engineering & HR/FIN on shared integration development, custom application dependencies on ERP platforms, and technical architecture decisions that span ERP domains.
• Partner with Head of Office of the CIO on governance, portfolio management, enterprise architecture alignment, IT strategy, and project prioritization that intersects with the ERP & Core Operations portfolio.
• Collaborate with Data Management team to ensure ERP data integrity, data integration pipelines, and reporting/analytics alignment across the Tower 1 ERP landscape.
• Manage vendor relationships with IFS, QAD, SAP, Sage, and other ERP vendors, drive accountability to delivery, product roadmap alignment, and contract performance through Quarterly Business Reviews.
• Monitor ERP industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices; evaluate new capabilities and recommend adoption aligned to Valmont business needs.
• Lead or directly manage IT projects not overseen by the PMO; manage effort estimation, functional/technical testing, and coordinate user acceptance testing.
• Support development and management of department OPEX and PMO CAPEX budgets for Tower 1.
• Provide mentoring and career development to direct reports through 1:1s, stretch assignments, certification programs, and Valmont University offerings.
• Ensure the team earns and maintains Trusted Advisor status through exceptional, consistent customer service to business stakeholders.
• Review, recommend, and enforce company policies, procedures, and best practices to protect company data and ensure compliance.
• Develop and maintain functional documentation including standard operating procedures, troubleshooting guides, and runbooks for all Tower 1 ERP platforms.
• Participate in IT strategy development and contribute ERP domain expertise to Application Services planning.
• Demonstrate Valmont core values: Passion, Integrity, Continuous Improvement, Deliver Results.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:
• Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or related field.

Hands-on implementation or project leadership experience with IFS Cloud and/or QAD Adaptive ERP.

Experience managing ERP platform rationalization and consolidation in a multi-site, multi-ERP global environment.

Strong executive presence with the ability to present ERP strategy, business cases, and roadmaps to VP and C-suite leaders.

Experience leading ERP change management programs, including business readiness, training design, and adoption measurement.

Advanced knowledge of ERP integration patterns and middleware tools (e.g., SAP CPI, IFS Connect, Boomi, MuleSoft).

Familiarity with additional Valmont ERP platforms such as Epicor, Dynamics GP, Sage 100, Deltek Vision, Online Advantage, or Visual Manufacturing.

Experience with global ERP deployments spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and/or Latin America.

Business analysis or project management certifications (IIBA, PMI-PBA, PMP or equivalent).

Hands-on experience with Valmont products and/or manufacturing processes.

Ability to effectively work with people at all levels, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and diagnose causes of change resistance.

Willingness to reside in or relocate to Omaha, Nebraska (strongly preferred but not required).

Supervisory experience in a matrixed, multi-site global IT organization.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.