AS400 Expert

Delivering a critical technology transition, the AS400 Expert will spearhead the migration from a legacy AS/400 ERP system to a new, group-wide ERP platform across a manufacturing site focused on food and beverage production. This role exists to ensure seamless continuity of operations while transforming core IT processes, acting as the central liaison between site teams, business stakeholders, and the wider ERP transformation programme. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping how business-critical data and processes move from an IBM i environment into a modern, integrated solution, enabling improved operational efficiency and future scalability.

In this contract role, the AS400 Expert will lead detailed planning and execution phases for the migration project—from initial analysis through to go-live and post-implementation support. A significant portion of the responsibility involves dissecting the current AS/400 landscape, including custom developments, batch jobs, interfaces, and data structures, and translating these into comprehensive requirements that can guide the ERP programme. Clear communication will be vital, particularly in coordinating handover activities such as process mapping, master data alignment, and data migration to the new platform.

Day-to-day activities will see the AS400 Expert balancing multiple stakeholder groups including operations, finance, supply chain, IT applications teams, and external partners providing managed support to the existing system. This role involves orchestrating testing schedules, user training programmes, cutover procedures, and hypercare support following deployment, ensuring operational risks are minimised and knowledge transfer is effective. Reporting is another key aspect, with the need to deliver regular updates on project progress, risk mitigation, dependencies, and decision points to senior IT leadership and regional management to maintain transparency and alignment with group PMO standards.

Technically, the position requires solid, hands-on expertise in AS/400 (IBM i) environments, including a working knowledge of business-specific applications, custom programmes developed in RPG/CL, and managing data within DB2 databases. Experience of legacy ERP migration programmes, particularly with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, will provide valuable context for understanding the new platform’s capabilities and constraints. The successful candidate will bring a track record of managing complex ERP transformations in manufacturing or food production settings, demonstrating capability in handling data migration complexities, cutover management, and post-migration stabilisation.

This role is offered on a contract basis with hybrid working arrangements, requiring regular onsite presence in Hemmingen to maintain close collaboration with local operational teams and external partners supporting the AS/400 platform. Fluency in both German and English is essential, enabling effective communication across all levels of the business and IT teams. The project demands a structured, meticulous approach, reflected in strong documentation practices and adherence to established project management methodologies.

An ideal candidate will not only have deep AS/400 technical knowledge but also demonstrated leadership in driving large-scale ERP migration initiatives. The role demands exceptional stakeholder management skills to negotiate differing priorities and facilitate consensus among diverse business functions. Through their work, the AS400 Expert will significantly contribute to business improvement initiatives that support the future growth and modernisation of the site's IT systems.

The site operates within the food and beverages sector, embedded in manufacturing processes where accuracy and operational reliability are paramount. This assignment offers the chance to apply specialist expertise in a challenging IT transformation environment, helping to secure and enhance the technology that underpins daily business operations.