IFS Application Lead

James Fisher And Sons Plc
Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom
4 days ago

Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Working hours
Regular working hours
Languages
English
Experience level
Senior

Job location

Remote
Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom

Tech stack

Cloud Computing
Crystal Reports (Reporting Software)
Data Governance
Power BI
Information Technology
Tools for Reporting
User Administration

Job description

The IFS Application Lead ensures that the IFS application effectively supports business operations by providing functional leadership for a defined area of the Group Information Technology function. The role shapes and influences local strategy for how the application is used and developed, leads or guides professional support roles, and delivers senior level expertise on complex, high impact work to keep the application aligned to organisational needs, along with being reliable, and being continuously improved.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: Ensure the effective performance, stability, and optimisation of the IFS application so that it reliably supports business operations and meets operational and compliance expectations. Lead functional solution design and drive continuous improvement by shaping system solutions that meet business needs and deliver measurable value. Oversee implementation, upgrades, and lifecycle management of IFS capabilities, ensuring changes are delivered effectively with minimal disruption and strong user adoption. Provide leadership and direction to professional support roles, ensuring consistent standards, effective prioritisation, and high quality support across the IFS landscape. Strengthen user capability and promote best practice use of IFS through clear communication, training, documentation, and ongoing engagement. Safeguard governance, compliance, and change control by ensuring all IFS related activities adhere to internal controls, audit requirements, and data governance standards. Influence local functional strategy and cross functional alignment by advising leaders on system capabilities, risks, and opportunities that support operational goals and business growth. What we're looking for

Requirements

The role requires a blend of business process understanding and application expertise, which is not common across all IT roles and may require specialised familiarity with ERP environments. The position benefits from experience working with complex, integrated business systems, particularly IFS, due to the depth of functional and configuration knowledge involved. The role will face ongoing challenges associated with the organisation's transition toward cloud-based ERP capabilities, requiring adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to support evolving business needs. Analytical and problem-solving strengths, with the ability to manage complexity and prioritise effectively. Ability to lead, coach, or influence professional support roles, fostering continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery.

Key skills, knowledge and experience: Strong understanding of IFS functionality, configuration, and process design across key modules such as Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Service Management, or Projects. Ability to analyse business processes, identify improvement opportunities, and shape system solutions aligned with operational and strategic goals. Experience leading workshops, engaging stakeholders, and influencing decisions across functional boundaries. Capability to guide or oversee system implementations, enhancements, integrations, and upgrades within structured governance and change control frameworks. Skilled in supporting ERP operational health, including user administration, data quality, system performance, and issue resolution. Proficiency in IFS configuration tools such as workflows, custom fields, lobbies, events, permissions, and dashboards. Familiarity with IFS Cloud and reporting tools such as Crystal Reports, Business Reporter, and Lobby Reports. * Strong communication skills, able to translate technical concepts into clear business language and support user capability development.*You will need a strong understanding of IFS functionality, configuration, and process design across key modules such as Finance, Supply Chain, Asset Management, Manufacturing, Service Management, or Projects in addition, a familiarity with IFS Cloud and reporting tools such as Crystal Reports, Business Reporter, and Lobby Reports, plus Power BI.

*This is a remote role however, travel to various sites across the business will be required as per the business need.

Benefits & conditions

Competitive benefits tailored to the division. Opportunities for career growth and visibility across the organisation. A supportive, inclusive culture that values your ideas and contributions. Work that truly makes a difference in safety, innovation, and global capability.

About the company

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration. With two centuries of maritime shipping and innovation, James Fisher is a trusted partner in the safe and efficient movement of the world's critical resources. As a market leader in ship-to-ship transfer and coastal shipping, we help customers protect people, cargo and infrastructure while shaping the future of global maritime transport.

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