Lead Ariba Systems Administrator

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

The Lead Ariba System Administrator is responsible for the administration, configuration, maintenance, and ongoing support of the SAP Ariba platform to ensure reliable and effective procurement and source-to-pay operations. This role serves as a key liaison between Procurement, Finance, IT, and business users, translating operational requirements into system configurations and process improvements.

The Ariba System Administrator manages user access and permissions, system configurations, workflows, approval rules, master data, integrations, and platform updates. The role troubleshoots system and user issues, coordinates with SAP Ariba support and internal technical teams, supports testing and release activities, and maintains system documentation and controls.

This position also identifies opportunities to improve processes through system optimization, automation, and adoption of Ariba capabilities. The administrator supports end-user training, reporting, compliance, and data quality initiatives while helping ensure the platform remains aligned with business requirements, security standards, and procurement policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves in lead capacity providing guidance, being a subject expert and an escalation point with regards to buying and invoicing activities.
• Evaluates existing processes and ensures system functionality is effective.
• Translates business requirements into functional documentation of solutions for process improvements, system integrations and analytics
• Develops process scenarios and test scripts, to support upgrades and implementations, along with day-to-day business needs.
• Coordinate system upgrades, releases, testing, regression testing, and production deployments. Serves on the Change Advisory Board to review business unit requests for changes/enhancements to Ariba modules.
• Responsible for learning new technologies and being able to communicate effectively when discussing with end-users and non-procurement management.
• Serves as a lead on the Ariba team partnering constructively with team members to problem solve and find solutions on procurement system issues.
• Serves as the lead on P2P Business System Administration and Test Management, including, but not limited to test project creation and execution, adding on-going test cases and other required configuration/coordination, as needs arise.
• Responsible for workflow activation and change monitoring.
• Serves as the system issue liaison, defect tracking, including driving issue resolution for new or currently outstanding P2P issues or needs.
• Identifies technical resources needed to resolve system issues, supports continuous improvement, including reviewing processes against system configuration and makes recommendations for improvements.
• Provides technical support to further the knowledge of end-users and buyers in execution of their P2P transactional activities and is the primary point of contact for problem resolution.
• Presents technical topics in staff meetings on procedural issues of importance to the team.
• Acts as a liaison between IT and business units to identify issues, requirements, develop solutions and deliver results related to systems configuration, workflow and data integration in a timely manner.
• Identify opportunities for process simplification, automation, and improved user experience.
• Provide user training, guidance, and documentation to promote system adoption and consistent practices.
• Ensure system administration activities comply with internal controls, security requirements, finance policies, and audit standards.
• Serve as a primary point of contact with SAP Ariba support and external implementation or support partners when needed.
• Other duties and technical projects assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• Ten years of relevant experience, including procurement, system and customer support.
• Must have SAP Ariba administration experience
• Ariba knowledge - P2P, Business System Admin, SLP modules, along with parts of Sourcing, Contracts and Supplier Risk modules.
• Must understand accounting principles. 
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing to all customer and management levels.
• Highly motivated, confident, energetic and must possess passion for customer service and delivering at a high level.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Resourceful and creative problem solver to constructively work with team members to find solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, along with attention to detail.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.