Global Program Director - Digital Transformation

This role is an opportunity to help shape and lead a major transformation initiative within ABENA. The Program Director – Digital Transformation will play a critical role in helping the organization evolve from multiple processes and legacy technology toward a more modern, efficient, and tech-enabled operating model.

ABENA is in the middle of a significant global business and digital transformation. We are standardizing core business processes, implementing SAP S/4HANA across markets, and modernizing the technology platform that supports our global operations.

We are now looking for an experienced Global Program Director – Digital Transformation to take overall responsibility for driving this transformation forward.

This is a business transformation role with responsibility for bringing together business processes, governance, technology and execution across ABENA. You will report directly to the CEO in this newly established role and work closely with senior leaders across the organization.

Lead our global business and SAP transformation

The ONE Horizon program is ABENA’s global SAP S/4HANA transformation program. It includes the standardization of end-to-end business processes, SAP S/4HANA implementation across markets, and the implementation of new warehouse management solutions.

As Global Program Director, you will have overall responsibility for driving the program and establishing the conditions for successful execution.

The transformation is already underway. You will therefore not be starting with a blank sheet of paper. Your responsibility will be to assess where we are, establish the structure and governance required to move forward, drive the necessary business decisions, and ensure disciplined execution of the program.

We are looking for someone who has done this before; someone who understands the complexity of global SAP transformations, can challenge an organization constructively, and knows how to turn business decisions into execution.

A central part of the role will be to strengthen business ownership of the transformation. This includes clarifying and standardizing core end-to-end processes, establishing a strong Business Process Owner structure and ensuring that decisions are taken at the right level and followed through across the organization.

You will also lead and further develop the program management capability around the transformation. This includes formal leadership of a team of five direct reports. The current setup is still developing, and you will have the mandate to strengthen governance, roles, decision-making and program disciplines.

This role requires personal resilience, sound judgement and the ability to stay constructive and decisive in an environment where alignment will not always come easily.

Your key responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the execution of ABENA’s global ONE Horizon business and SAP S/4HANA transformation program.
• Establish and enforce effective program governance and create transparency on program scope, risks and delivery.
• Lead and develop the PMO team.
• Drive clarification, ownership and standardization of ABENA’s core end-to-end business processes across functions and markets, and personally facilitate complex cross-functional workshops and decision forums to create alignment and move critical issues forward.
• Establish and develop a strong global Business Process Owner network with clear accountability for process design, standards and business decisions.
• Work closely with IT as the key delivery organization, ensuring that business priorities, process decisions and technology delivery remain aligned throughout the transformation.
• Manage the balance between global process standardization and legitimate local business requirements.
• Drive organizational readiness, change management and adoption to ensure that new processes, systems and ways of working are embedded in the business.

Success in the role will be measured not simply by whether SAP is implemented, but by whether ABENA achieves clearer processes, stronger business ownership, disciplined execution and a scalable operating model across markets. As such, the Program Director role is one of the key building blocks of our future growth journey.

What we expect you to bring

You have substantial experience leading large-scale business and digital transformation programs in complex international organizations.

More specifically, we expect that you bring:

• Proven experience as Program Director, Transformation Director or equivalent, with end-to-end responsibility for major international transformation programs.
• Strong experience leading SAP S/4HANA implementations or rollouts across multiple countries or business units.
• Experience from an operationally complex business, ideally within manufacturing, sourcing, supply chain, distribution or logistics.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end business processes and experience establishing effective program governance, including Business Process Owner structures, decision rights and escalation mechanisms.
• A proven track record of taking ownership of complex transformation programs where progress has been difficult and stakeholder alignment limited.
• The confidence and credibility to challenge senior stakeholders, hold difficult conversations and create alignment where interests, priorities and perspectives differ.
• Experience balancing global standards with legitimate local requirements.
• Practical understanding of structured SAP implementation approaches such as SAP Activate, combined with strong judgement and a clear bias towards execution.
• Clear and direct communication skills, sound judgement and a strong bias towards execution.

You are likely to succeed in this role if you combine strategic perspective with operational discipline, remain constructive under sustained pressure, and are comfortable taking ownership when there is no easy answer or immediate consensus.

Your Team, Our Culture and Values

Beyond leading the execution of the transformation program, you will lead and develop a small team of five program and project support specialists. Your task will be to create a high-performing team that drives and supports the execution of the program.

At ABENA, you join a global company with a strong purpose: to make a real difference in the everyday lives of people around the world. We combine professionalism with a warm, people-first culture where collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement are necessary parts of everyday life. We take pride in delivering high-quality work with integrity, guided by our core values of trust, fairness and cooperation. These values shape how we lead, support one another and create meaningful impact for our customers and communities.

We look forward to receiving your application

If you are interested in the position, please send your CV as soon as possible. We review applications as we receive them and will close the search once we have found our new colleague.

Read more about our recruitment process here.

If you are curious to know more about the job, you are welcome to contact us. Please call +45 7431 1818 and ask for CEO Henrik Clausen.

As a family-owned company with a strong global presence, we are built on trust, fairness, and cooperation — values that guide how we support one another and grow together. Here, you’ll find room to explore your potential, develop new skills, and make a meaningful difference.

Join us, and shape a career that truly makes an impact.

BECAUSE WE CARE 

www.abena.com/career