Ralph Lauren

Program Initiation Team objectives:

• Creation of a detailed and documented understanding of the current RL AS-IS business processes across all 3 regions
• Creation of a detailed and documented understanding of the TO-BE business processes together with the ERP /Edge vendors’ experts identifying any gaps, compared to the AS-IS business process, for resolution during the design phase
• Identification of any specific interim operations requirements considering the implementation plan will require multiple transition steps over regions and time before the new ERP is fully deployed
• Creation of a detailed RL Project team structure ensuring the headcount and budget requirements required to support the project are included in the project budget.  This includes a plan to on-board / off-board RL Project Team members at the right moments during the project’s lifecycle
• Creation of skills inventory and training pathways for upskilling soft and hard skills required for RL Project Team members and RL business users. This includes a plan for training and budgetary requirements as well as proposing a plan for on-going training to support the RL business after the project

The role will work very closely with the application teams and the business leads to ensure that they are prepared for the collection of the information required. This specific role will be responsible for leading the collection of the required information from the Logistics and Supply Chain business process working closely with its business and IT counterparts.

Initially, the role will focus on defining the framework to collect the information and then rolling this out to the business process functions. Support will be provided to plan and collect the information, managing the information collected and enabling the Business Process Lead to focus on the activities, rather than the repository of information and the details to create the plan.

The role will also ensure that there are formal processes in place to sign off the information collected, with various gates being defined through the process to ensure that teams are bought into the approach. The lead will also be seen as an evangelist for the program, helping to educate, raise awareness and grow confidence in those around them. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your skills, expand your knowledge of the business and be part of a team that is helping to shape and then deliver the future.  

Post the verification phase, this person will move into a role leading the Logistics and Supply Chain business process during the design, build and deploy phase. Once the system moves to implementation phase, this role will roll off the project based on a specifically identified development plan enabled by the RL business executive responsible.    

Responsibilities include:

• Work with all the IT, business, vendor teams to ensure the scope is in alignment with expectations and the budget
• Creation of a clear picture of the current AS-IS, documenting the data flows and dependencies and integration points for the current ERP and Edge systems by region
• Ensure that the ownership (business and IT) is clear across the edge systems and that their responsibility as part of the cutover is clear. This includes identifying the need for any interim or migration activity, which will be quantified and factored into the project plan
• Identification gaps in any of the respective process or technical areas in the TO-BE solution so that mitigation can be created (possibly at a later stage) to remedy
• Preparation of the various teams as much as possible for the upcoming mobilization. Use of the engagement to educate, but also to listen and absorb and represent back the findings of the teams
• Creation of an approach to testing that will enable an agile approach to developing and releasing new capabilities that encompasses the edge systems to create a common method across the RL systems in scope
• Work with the various teams develop the high level cut over approach by system by object by phase to include but not limited to:  PO, SO, inventory, financial reporting, product migration, retail locations, master data, internal controls and management standards
• Assistance in identifying training needs to facilitate knowledge required by the teams
• Development and maintenance of individual and integrated project plans, including scope, objectives and milestones, deliverables, risks and issues
• Agreement on an overall approach for the capturing of business requirements, documentation, testing criteria in an efficient manner that will allow for a more agile approach to managing change going forward

• Minimum 8+ years of experience with a proven track record in related role
• Experience within a vertically integrated retail environment; fashion apparel experience is highly desirable
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Must be adept at translating complex concepts into actionable plans
• Ability to confidently engage with and influence senior executives
• Strong analytical skills: Leverages data to make strategic decisions
• The ideal candidate is pragmatic, a problem solver, thrives under pressure, and excels at multitasking. Has the ability to make decisive and timely decisions while acting with authority
• Strong strategic vision but is also comfortable taking a hands-on approach to achieve results
• Can be based in UK/CH/NY/NJ