Team Lead SAP Operations (m/f/d) - Auckland, New Zealand

About itesys AG

itesys AG specializes in SAP Technology, SAP Security, and Platform Engineering to maintain SAP environments that are secure, stable, and future-ready. Since 2012, the company has grown to a team of over 200 experts passionate about combining innovation and expertise to support SAP ecosystems from architectural design and security to ongoing system operation. With a commitment to excellence, the team delivers impactful solutions blending forward-thinking approaches and practical implementation.

Role Overview

The Team Lead SAP Operations based in Auckland will spearhead the New Zealand SAP Basis team. This role blends technical leadership and hands-on SAP Basis expertise to ensure continuous and secure SAP system availability for European clients during New Zealand daytime hours, including weekends and public holidays. The position involves approximately 60% technical contribution and 40% leadership responsibilities. Remote work within New Zealand is supported, with a preference for Auckland-based candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and actively engage in SAP Basis operational activities for managed service clients.
• Oversee daily tasks such as monitoring systems, applying patches, managing transports, conducting user administration, executing system copies, and maintaining platforms.
• Manage OS administration and patching for Linux and Windows servers in SAP contexts, utilizing scripting automation for routine procedures.
• Support customer environment backup, restoration, and certificate handling processes.
• Serve as the escalation contact for complex incidents, root cause analyses, and multi-system troubleshooting during New Zealand coverage hours.
• Lead, mentor, and nurture a collaborative SAP Basis team, fostering high performance.
• Handle recruitment, onboarding, certification planning, and performance evaluations within the New Zealand team.
• Organize on-call shifts and schedule management, ensuring clear communication with all stakeholders.
• Promote knowledge sharing and maintain comprehensive operational documentation.
• Act as the primary liaison between the New Zealand team and Country Manager, Swiss and German leadership, project and service managers, and client representatives.
• Ensure consistent service delivery aligned with resource planning, prioritization, and adherence to SLAs and customer contracts.
• Continuously enhance operational processes including handovers, ticketing workflows, and runbook documentation.
• Support the long-term stability, security, and evolution of client SAP landscapes and contribute to growing New Zealand's delivery capabilities.

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive hands-on experience in SAP Basis administration focused on S/4HANA and/or ECC environments.
• Proficiency in database management, Linux, and Windows Server administration, including scripting with shell or PowerShell to automate tasks.
• Familiarity with enterprise backup tools, SAP monitoring solutions (such as SAP Solution Manager or Focused Run), and ticketing systems like ServiceNow.
• Proven leadership or readiness to lead in technical operations, SAP consulting, or managed services.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and decision-making abilities enhanced by a pragmatic, solution-driven, customer-focused, and commercially savvy approach.
• SAP certifications (e.g., SAP Certified Technology Associate or Professional, or S/4HANA System Administration) are preferred but not mandatory.
• Fluent professional English communication skills.
• Must possess existing legal authorization to work in New Zealand; no visa sponsorship available for this role.