Is Apps Lead

We are seeking an experienced IS Applications Lead to join the Information Systems function in Barrow-in-Furness. This is a key role responsible for the overall delivery, performance, governance and lifecycle management of a broad portfolio of internally and externally provisioned business applications, with SAP at its core.

The successful candidate will provide technical and commercial oversight across the applications estate, working closely with internal stakeholders, third-party vendors and outsourced service providers. The role will involve both strategic oversight and hands-on management, including directing outsourced resources, managing key suppliers and supporting critical run and change activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced applications or IS professional with strong SAP knowledge and a background in outsourced service management, vendor management, IT governance, cyber security and application lifecycle management.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain cross-disciplinary IS applications processes, procedures and work instructions, ensuring compliance across the organisation.
• Maintain a fit-for-purpose, scalable and resilient integrated applications architecture, ensuring reliability, security, integrity and performance.
• Act as the applications focal point for IS, IT, Cyber, Deloitte audits and external assurance reviews.
• Manage third-party application vendors, supplier relationships and commercial agreements.
• Assess and assure third-party, cloud and SaaS application services.
• Execute application-related control assurance and compliance activities.
• Support contract renewals and tender processes in collaboration with the Head of IS and Supply Chain teams.
• Manage secure application password processes, including rotation and vault storage.
• Manage Source-to-Pay processes for IS applications in collaboration with business owners, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Lead and deliver application projects, including upgrades, changes, replacements and implementations.
• Coordinate application testing and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) cycles.
• Work with the Head of IS and IT Lead to develop and mature the cyber control framework.
• Conduct security due diligence assessments for new or amended IS services.
• Participate in cyber incident response testing and support cyber incident investigations.
• Oversee the provisioning, hosting and integration of internal and external/SaaS line-of-business applications.
• Manage application licensing, consumption and renewals.
• Oversee the complete application lifecycle, from scope and sourcing through design, build, testing, implementation, operation, maintenance, upgrade and retirement.
• Manage application change, upgrade and release processes.
• Maintain application and SAP build and support documentation, including the Service Catalogue.
• Provide Master Data Management support.
• Lead and coordinate major incident response relating to applications, including SAP.
• Manage the performance of outsourced application support contracts and resources.
• Coordinate external vendors and manage escalations relating to application integrations and interfaces.

SAP Responsibilities

As SAP is central to the applications estate, the successful candidate will also be responsible for:

• Overseeing the SAP landscape, including architecture, integration, performance and security.
• Managing SAP hosting and core technical support and maintenance, including external SAP RISE and internal SAP BW/PO on Azure.
• Ensuring SAP-specific controls operate effectively and align with shareholder requirements.
• Coordinating the scoping, shaping and design of SAP change activity between business stakeholders and external service providers.
• Managing SAP change, upgrade and release processes, acting as the Gate Keeper and Design Authority.
• Managing outsourced SAP support contracts and associated resources.
• Working collaboratively with the Head of IS and Centrica on the shared SAP journey, including supporting future contract renewal activity.

• Significant experience in IS applications management within a complex, technical or multi-site organisation.
• Strong understanding of application architecture, integration and lifecycle management.
• Good knowledge of infrastructure, networks and end-user computing.
• Experience with SAP, particularly change and release management principles.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure, PowerApps and Power BI.
• Experience developing and maintaining technical, procedural and architectural documentation and Service Catalogues.
• Understanding of software licensing models and application consumption analysis.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing application scope, specifications and costs.
• Experience working with audit teams and acting as an interface between outsourced delivery teams and auditors.
• Strong knowledge of IT General Controls (ITGC), particularly those relating to SAP.
• Understanding of incident, problem and change management processes.
• Experience of business analysis and PMO processes within project delivery.
• Proven contract and supplier management experience, ideally within an outsourced service environment.
• Experience coordinating or delivering application testing and UAT.
• Strong understanding of cyber security principles and the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF).
• Experience managing significant incidents, escalations and outsourced technical resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in an IT or business-related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Key Competencies

We are looking for an individual who is:

• Technically confident with strong applications management expertise.
• Comfortable operating across both strategic and operational environments.
• Experienced in managing third-party suppliers and outsourced service providers.
• Commercially aware with strong contract and vendor management capabilities.
• Able to manage multiple stakeholders and effectively navigate complex vendor relationships.
• Confident acting as a point of escalation during significant incidents.
• Strong in governance, assurance, risk management and compliance.
• Able to communicate effectively with technical teams, business stakeholders, auditors and external suppliers.
• Organised, proactive and capable of managing competing priorities in a complex operational environment.