Master Data Lead

Job Title Master Data Management Lead ( Sr Manager – IT ) Reports to: VP-IT / Global COE Head Purpose The Master Data Management Lead will be part of the Global Center of Excellence (COE) for CONMED, which will be operational from India. This role is crucial in building, governing, and operating enterprise master data capabilities across SAP S/4HANA and non-SAP applications. The MDM Lead is responsible for leading both the technical and functional aspects of enterprise Master Data Management, including master data strategy, governance, standards, stewardship, data quality, workflow design, integration, migration readiness, and ongoing operations. The role will act as the single point of contact (SPOC) for master data across business teams, IT SAP COE, Business COE, data migration teams, analytics teams, and implementation partners. This position requires deep understanding of core master data domains such as Customer, Vendor/Supplier, Material/Product, Finance, Business Partner, BOM, Routing, Work Centers, and related organizational structures. The role will ensure that master data is accurate, governed, trusted, compliant, and aligned with business process requirements for SAP transformation, reporting, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. As a member of the COE, the MDM Lead will define standards, governance processes, data quality controls, ownership models, and best practices. This role will also provide leadership for MDM platform design and execution, including Syniti, SAP MDG, SAP S/4HANA data governance, data migration, integration, and future-state master data architecture. Key Duties and Responsibilities The Master Data Management Lead will be responsible for driving master data governance, functional alignment, technical solution design, data quality, and operational execution within the CONMED IT SAP COE. This role will ensure that enterprise master data supports end-toend business processes, SAP S/4HANA implementation, regulatory expectations, analytics, and long-term global business scalability. Develop and enhance enterprise MDM strategy: Define and execute the enterprise master data roadmap across Customer, Vendor/Supplier, Material/Product, Finance and other strategic data domains. Establish standards, policies, ownership models, and governance processes to improve consistency and quality across SAP and non-SAP systems. Lead functional master data governance: Partner with business process owners and data owners to define business rules, data definitions, approval workflows, stewardship responsibilities, and exception management processes. Facilitate governance forums and drive alignment across Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Commercial, Quality, and Regulatory teams. Define, design, and deliver MDM technical solutions: Lead design and implementation of MDM platforms and capabilities either Syniti, SAP MDG, or home grown application for MDG , SAP S/4HANA master data setup, data quality rules, workflow automation, validation controls, integration patterns, and data lifecycle management. Support SAP S/4HANA transformation and data migration: Own master data readiness for SAP deployment including profiling, cleansing, harmonization, mapping, migration rules, mock conversion support, data validation, cutover readiness, and post-go live stabilization. Ensure future-state master data design aligns with SAP business processes and enterprise architecture. Manage data quality, controls, and compliance: Define data quality scorecards, cleansing rules, duplicate prevention controls, mandatory field standards, audit trails, and governance metrics. Ensure master data processes support regulatory requirements, process controls, system validation, and audit readiness in a medical device environment. Provide technical and functional guidance: Guide SAP functional teams, data migration teams, integration teams, analytics teams, and business data stewards on master data standards, data models, dependencies, interfaces, and quality controls. Ensure common design principles are applied and duplication of effort is avoided. Drive integration and enterprise data alignment: Ensure master data is consistently integrated across SAP, legacy ERP applications, PLM, LIMS, CRM, planning systems, reporting platforms, and other relevant applications. Work with architecture and integration teams to establish scalable patterns for data synchronization and governance. Monitor MDM program progress and operational performance: Lead execution of MDM workstreams, track risks and issues, manage partner deliverables, monitor data readiness, and ensure high-quality delivery across projects and operations. Establish regular reporting for leadership on data quality, remediation progress, and governance adoption. Communicate effectively with stakeholders: Act as liaison between business teams, IT SAP COE, IT Business Partners , implementation partners, data stewards, and senior leaders. Translate technical data topics into business impact and ensure clear decision-making on data ownership, standards, and remediation priorities. Continuous monitoring and improvement: Identify opportunities to simplify data processes, automate controls, improve stewardship productivity, reduce data defects, and enhance reporting confidence. Stay current with emerging MDM technologies, SAP MDG capabilities, Syniti functionality, AI-enabled data quality, and industry best practices. Team building and mentorship: Build and mentor a high-performing MDM team including data stewards, analysts, functional SMEs, and technical specialists. Provide coaching, standards, and repeatable methods to strengthen the enterprise data management capability. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Education & Certification B Tech, Master’s Degree, MBA, or equivalent in Information Technology, Data Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field. Advanced degree preferred. Certification in SAP, SAP MDG, Syniti, Data Governance, or equivalent preferred. Experience Must have 12–15+ years of overall experience in Data Management, ERP, SAP, Data Governance, Data Quality, or Enterprise Applications. Minimum of 7+ years of experience leading enterprise Master Data Management programs in the capacity of MDM Lead, Data Governance Lead, SAP Data Lead, MDM Architect, or equivalent role. Key skills: Strong working knowledge of SAP S/4HANA master data design and dependencies across Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Sales, Quality, and Planning processes. Experience in SAP S/4HANA implementation or major ERP transformation programs; at least 2–3 implementation / rollout / data migration cycles preferred. Hands-on knowledge of master data domains including Business Partner, Customer, Vendor/Supplier, Material/Product, Finance master data, BOM, Routing, Work Centers, Plants, Storage Locations, Profit Centers, Cost Centers, GL Accounts, and related organizational structures. Experience with MDM / Data Governance platforms such as Syniti, SAP MDG, Informatica MDM, or any home grown application. Strong understanding of data governance operating models, data ownership, data stewardship, workflow approvals, data quality rules, metadata, and data lifecycle management. Experience in data profiling, cleansing, harmonization, enrichment, duplication management, migration mapping, validation, reconciliation, and cutover data readiness. Ability to define master data standards, naming conventions, mandatory fields, validation rules, governance controls, and exception management processes. Knowledge of integration between SAP and non-SAP systems such as PLM, LIMS, CRM, planning systems, warehouse systems, analytics platforms, and legacy ERP applications. Experience working with SAP functional modules such as FI/CO, MM, SD, PP, QM, PM, EWM/WM, IBP, and integration touchpoints. Strong understanding of regulated industry expectations, including process controls, audit readiness, system validation, and data integrity requirements. Experience in Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, or other regulated global manufacturing industry strongly preferred. Experience in fast-paced global multinational matrix organization. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage, influence, and align business stakeholders, SAP teams, data stewards, project teams, and implementation partners. Strong team player who collaborates well across business and IT to solve complex master data issues and actively incorporates input from various sources. Should have managed data governance forums, regulatory/audit discussions, partner teams, and senior stakeholder escalations. Core Competencies Enterprise data strategy and governance leadership. Technical MDM architecture and platform delivery. Functional understanding of end-to-end SAP business processes. Data quality management, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement. Executive communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership. Ability to lead both strategic design and hands-on execution. Location Location is Remote in India. 30–40% Travel within India / Global as needed.