Data and Analytics Lead

Basic Role Summary:

We are a pharmaceutical organisation undertaking a major digital transformation, migrating our core business processes onto SAP (S/4HANA). The Data & Analytics Lead is a pivotal role at the heart of this change, responsible for building our analytics capability, shaping how data is governed and consumed across the enterprise, and ensuring that the move to SAP delivers trusted, decision-ready insights for the business.

Working closely with the SAP programme team, business functions, and IT, this role will define the data and reporting foundation for the new platform and embed a culture of data-driven, compliant decision-making across commercial, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and finance functions.

Location: Onsite at our facility in Loughrea.

As our Data & Analytics Lead, your key responsibilities will be as follows:

SAP Data, Reporting & Migration

• Partner with the SAP programme to define data and analytics requirements for S/4HANA, including reporting, KPIs and self-service needs across business functions.
• Lead the analytics workstream of the SAP migration: data mapping, cleansing, validation and reconciliation between legacy systems and SAP, working closely with the Master Data Governance Team on master data alignment.
• Establish enterprise reporting and analytics (e.g. SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP BW/4HANA, Datasphere) and integrate with existing BI platforms.
• Work closely with the Master Data Governance Team to ensure a single source of truth, aligning hierarchies and data definitions across SAP and downstream analytics.
  
  

Data Analysis & Insight Generation

• Lead the analysis of complex, cross-functional data sets to produce actionable insight that informs strategic and operational decisions.
• Develop and apply advanced analytical approaches to drive commercial performance, supply reliability and operational efficiency.
• Translate business questions from areas such as sales, manufacturing, supply chain and finance into robust analytical solutions.
  
  

Data Strategy & Governance

• Establish data governance, ownership and stewardship practices for analytics and reporting, working closely with the Master Data Governance Team and aligning to agreed data definitions.
• Identify and implement the tools and technologies needed to support analytics, reporting and the evolving SAP landscape.
  
  

Quality, Compliance & Data Integrity

• Ensure analytics and reporting practices uphold data integrity expectations (e.g. ALCOA+) and align with relevant pharmaceutical regulatory requirements such as GxP and GDP.
• Support validation and audit readiness of reporting solutions used in regulated processes, working with Quality and IT compliance.
• Safeguard the confidentiality and appropriate handling of sensitive, commercial and personal data in line with GDPR and internal policy.
  
  

Visualisation & Reporting

• Design and deliver clear, compelling visualisations and reports that communicate insight to leadership and operational stakeholders.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency and traceability across all reporting and analysis.
  
  

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Build, manage and mentor a team of analysts, setting priorities and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with the SAP programme, IT, Quality and business functions to ensure analytics solutions align with business goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor, championing the value of data and analytics throughout the transformation.
  
  

Continuous Improvement

• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in data analytics, SAP analytics and pharma data management, continuously improving methodologies.
• Drive innovation by exploring new data sources, analytical techniques and capabilities enabled by the new SAP platform.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or Economics (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5-8 years experience in leading data analysis and interpretation, including experience in a leadership or team-lead role essential.
• Hands-on experience with SAP data and reporting in an SAP environment — ideally including involvement in an S/4HANA implementation or migration.
• Proficiency with analytics and visualisation tools (e.g. SAP Analytics Cloud, Power BI, Tableau), statistical/analytical tools (e.g. R, Python) and SQL.
• Strong understanding of data governance and data quality principles, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a dedicated master data function.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings to non-technical and senior audiences.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience in a pharmaceutical, life sciences or other GxP-regulated environment.
• Familiarity with regulatory and data integrity frameworks (GxP, GDP, ALCOA+) and GDPR.
• Knowledge of SAP BW/4HANA, Datasphere or comparable enterprise data platforms.
• Experience delivering analytics as part of a large-scale ERP or digital transformation programme.
  
  

Skills and Competencies:

• Analytical thinking — interprets complex, cross-functional data and turns it into clear, actionable insight.
• Technical expertise — strong command of SAP analytics tooling, BI and visualisation platforms, SQL and statistical/analytical languages (R, Python).
• Data governance & quality focus — applies single-source-of-truth, stewardship and master data principles rigorously.
• Quality & compliance mindset — embeds data integrity (ALCOA+), GxP, GDP and GDPR expectations into everyday practice.
• Leadership & people development — builds, motivates and mentors a high-performing analytics team.
• Stakeholder management — acts as a trusted advisor and communicates complex findings to non-technical and senior audiences.
• Business acumen — connects analytical work to commercial, manufacturing, supply chain and finance outcomes.
• Communication & influence — presents clearly and champions the value of data across the organisation.
• Adaptability & continuous improvement — keeps pace with evolving tools, techniques and the changing SAP landscape.
  
  

Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those returning after a career break or with transferable skills from non-traditional career paths, are encouraged to apply. We value varied experiences and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that supports individuals with disabilities.