IT Systems Manager

Systems & Implementation Lead - Contract day rate OIR35

Planisware Experience of PPM, MRP, ERP technical implementation in a manufacturing organisation is ideal.

Location: Hybrid - West Midlands

A leading engineering and manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced Systems Development, Integration & Test Lead to play a pivotal role in the implementation of a new enterprise PPM platform. You may have had roles titles such as Systems Lead, Applications Lead, Implementation Lead, Systems Manager, Applications Manager

Working alongside established Project Management and Business Change teams, your focus will be on the technical delivery of the solution, ensuring business requirements are translated into robust system design, configuration, integration and testing activities that deliver a successful production deployment.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring someone who can bridge the gap between business users, technical teams and third-party implementation partners, ensuring that what is built is fit for purpose, technically sound and aligned to the needs of complex engineering and manufacturing programme environments.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the technical delivery of the Planview implementation from design through to go-live and hypercare.
Ensure business and operational requirements are accurately translated into system functionality, workflows and configurations.
Act as the technical authority across solution design, configuration, integration and testing activities.
Challenge and validate third-party supplier designs, build outputs and technical decisions.
Oversee platform configuration to ensure alignment with programme governance, engineering and manufacturing processes.
Define and coordinate integration requirements between Planview and other enterprise systems.
Own the end-to-end testing strategy, including System Integration Testing (SIT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), defect management and release readiness.
Ensure data migration, system validation and process adoption activities are completed successfully.
Lead defect triage and resolution activities, ensuring issues are understood, prioritised and resolved appropriately.
Support deployment, cutover, release management and post-go-live hypercare activities.
Provide technical leadership throughout the implementation lifecycle, identifying risks, dependencies and quality concerns before they impact delivery.
Become the internal SME for the platform, supporting future enhancements and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills & Experience

Essential

Proven experience leading complex enterprise system implementations.
Strong background in systems development, configuration, integration and testing.
Experience working with third-party software vendors and implementation partners.
Strong understanding of software delivery lifecycles, release management and testing methodologies.
Experience translating business requirements into functional and technical solutions.
Ability to challenge technical designs and ensure delivery quality throughout the build lifecycle.
Excellent stakeholder engagement skills across technical teams, business users and senior leadership.
Experience managing risks, defects, technical dependencies and implementation issues.

Highly Desirable

Previous experience implementing Planview, Planisware, Teamcenter or similar enterprise PPM/PLM platforms.
Experience within manufacturing, engineering, automotive, aerospace or other complex programme-led environments.
Knowledge of enterprise integrations, data migration and portfolio management processes.
Experience supporting large-scale business transformation or technology modernisation programmes.