Running a business takes more than just a certain entrepreneurial acumen – it takes an excellent team and savvy tools, like entERPrise resource planning (ERP). An ERP manager leads the team in charge of a company’s ERP program, which is responsible for day-to-day business tasks such as accounting, manufacturing and processing. ERP systems take all the data from a company and create a cohesive data system, without any data duplication.

Job Description

As an ERP manager, you oversee a team of technical workers who operate and run the ERP programs. ERP roles and responsibilities include leading team meetings and assigning action items to team members, following up along the way until the deadline for each project. The ERP manager acts as a subject matter expert for the team, answering questions and providing guidance for all team projects. Any other employees who use the ERP systems come to the ERP manager for troubleshooting issues and other questions. The manager makes sure the ERP systems are functioning properly and helping the business run smoothly.

Education Requirements

Companies looking to hire an ERP manager want a candidate with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, networking related technologies or a similar field. Most companies want three to five years of experience in a similar role, and many require previous managerial, supervisory or project management experience. Oracle has one of the largest ERP systems, so some companies specifically ask for experience with Oracle systems. Various companies – like SAP and NetSuite – offer ERP certification, which can provide additional knowledge and skills for the job, as well as legitimacy in the field.

Industry

Typically, an ERP manager works under a senior professional, while managing a team of her own. Businesses in nearly every industry use ERP systems. ERP managers work at small businesses, large corporations and everything in between. They work in an office setting, collaborating often with the team members, and generally work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week. In 2016, one in three computer and information systems managers worked more than 40 hours a week.

Years of Experience and Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and information systems managers, which ERP managers fall under, was $139,220, as of May 2017. This means half the workers in the field made more and half made less. The lowest 10 percent made $83,860, while the top 10 percent made more than $208,000. A software project manager salary can vary, depending on the size and location of the company.

Job Growth Trend

The need for ERP managers will continue to grow as more and more companies streamline their daily processes with ERP systems. Jobs as managers in the computer and information systems industry are expected to increase by 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, much higher than the 7 percent predicted job growth for all occupations. An ERP manager with a strong educational background and applicable experience to fill the ERP roles and responsibilities has a good chance of securing a job.