IT Business Application Manager

About the role

The Business Applications Manager serves as the enterprise leader responsible for defining, governing and continuously optimizing the global business application landscape, most notably the Microsoft D365 F&O platform and its integrated digital ecosystem. You translate enterprise digital ambitions into robust application architectures, global programs and harmonized business processes that enable sustainable growth and operational excellence ensuring full alignment with the overarching IT strategy.

In this role, you act as the IT partner for Finance, Logistics, Production and Sales, ensuring that business capabilities are supported by scalable, well-integrated applications. You lead the global ERP transformation, driving the migration from legacy environments to a unified D365 platform and establishing the global standards, governance and best practices needed to support future expansion.

You are accountable for the strategy, performance, delivery and adoption of applications that directly enable business processes. Your role ensures that application investments deliver ROI, that integrations are future-proof and that business teams can rely on a stable, coherent and continuously improving application environment.

You lead through a global network of internal specialists, key users, external partners and technology vendors. You operate through influence and governance, rather than large hierarchical structures, ensuring cross-functional alignment, quality execution and high adoption across regions. As the executive escalation point for application-related matters, you safeguard operational continuity and drive excellence in delivery and process design.

This role requires a transformation leader capable of bridging business strategy and technology execution, shaping enterprise solutions and guiding the organization through complex global change, while maintaining strong alignment with the broader IT and digital strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Define and lead the global ERP and application strategy, supporting enterprise digitalization and long-term growth
• Drive the worldwide transformation from legacy systems to a unified D365 F&O platform
• Establish a scalable, future-ready global solution and integration architecture across all functional domains
• Champion transformation initiatives that standardize processes and maximize value creation

Global Program & Change Ownership

• Direct the global deployment of D365 F&O and integrated applications, ensuring alignment with business priorities and regulatory requirements
• Own the global change management governance process, ensuring stakeholder alignment and successful adoption
• Ensure harmonization of processes across business units while accommodating critical local requirements

Business Partnering & Executive Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the IT partner to functional leaders worldwide, providing direction on process optimization and digital enablement
• Influence cross-functional decision-making to align business strategies with the global application roadmap
• Act as the executive escalation authority for complex application and process issues

Governance, Quality & Compliance

• Define and enforce governance frameworks for solution design, change approvals, integrations and extensions
• Ensure compliance with enterprise architecture standards, data governance rules and security requirement
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of global policies, procedures and documentation

Vendor, Partner & Resource Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for third-party vendors, integrators and development partners, ensuring strong performance and delivery accountability
• Lead internal and external teams through architectural direction, prioritization and quality control
• Negotiate service levels, scope commitments and long-term partner relationship

Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement across the application landscape, identifying optimization opportunities and enhancing end-to-end processes
• Ensure stability, reliability and performance of business-critical applications
• Support budgeting cycles, investment planning and resource allocation related to business applications

Profile

• Master degree required; a Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering or Business is a strong asset.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in business applications, ERP leadership or global digital transformation roles.
• Proven expertise with Microsoft D365 F&O across Finance, Supply Chain, MRP, Production and end-to-end integrations.
• Strong experience leading complex global ERP programs and cross-regional transformations.
• Solid knowledge of system integrations (webshops, retail, EDI), ideally leveraging Azure DevOps.
• Experience with Customer Service platforms (e.g., Zendesk) and BI/analytics tools is an advantage.
• Demonstrated senior influencing skills, with the ability to guide executive stakeholders and build enterprise alignment.
• Experienced in project and program management methodologies; certifications such as PRINCE2 or PMP are beneficial.
• Familiar with MS Project Online, Jira or MS DevOps.
• Fluent in English, written and spoken; knowledge of Dutch would be considered as asset.
• Willingness to travel internationally (approx. 10%) and able to work from one of our main offices.

Does this feel like the perfect match? We’d love to hear from you!

At The Cookware Company, you’ll join a team brimming with ambition and passion. Our people not only excel in their craft but also share a love for great food and enjoying it together. From cozy lunches in our company restaurant to Friday morning pastries, and of course, the best coffee to start your day, we make sure every moment counts.

We offer an environment where you can deepen your expertise, focus on personal growth and truly make an impact on how people cook and come together around the world.

Sounds good? Get in touch at careers@cookware-co.com!