Shaping the Future of next.GenERP at ZF Building a Unified Process Landscape
Explore Steffi Häberlein's impactful work at ZF as she plays a fundamental role in developing a unified ERP backbone. In just a year, Steffi has led transformative changes, standardizing processes and enhancing collaboration across global teams. Dive into her story to see how she is shaping the future of ZF!
Steffi Häberlein, based in Friedrichshafen, works as a Build Lead Process (BLP) expert at ZF. With just one year at the company, Steffi has already made significant changes in developing and implementing an ERP backbone with consistent processes, data, and technology. Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and a previous role as a global key user for market processes and project lead for a new SAP S/4HANA implementation at a medium-sized company.
Steffi’s main responsibilities at ZF involve developing and standardizing group-wide order-to-cash processes, improving existing processes with standardized data structures and technology, and collaborating closely with Digital Transformation Agents (DTA's) (öffnet eine neue Browser-Registerkarte)during roll-outs. She is also responsible for conducting gap analyses, implementing new processes, and creating training materials for DTAs. "Communication and teamwork are at the heart of what I do. It's about making sure everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction," she explains.
Bridging Gaps and Coordinating Efforts
Steffi’s role requires close communication and coordination with global stakeholders, including DTAs, Sales Business Units, SAP key users, Sales IT, and GPO's. She functions as a critical interface, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration between global contacts and roll-out teams. "My job is to analyze requirements, share information, and implement solutions within the next.GenERP project, always in consultation with all involved streams," she says.
In addition to communication tasks, Steffi also performs functional tests, documents processes, implements changes, and creates training materials. Her work helps ZF to become more efficient, adaptable, and flexible by establishing new processes and shaping the company's future way of working.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Innovation
One of the biggest challenges Steffi faces is convincing colleagues to adopt the new SAP S/4HANA system and its associated processes. "It's not always easy to change established ways of working," she admits, "but it's essential for creating standardized global processes and fostering a 'one team' approach."
Despite these challenges, Steffi loves the dynamic nature of her job. "The things I love most about my job are the communication, teamwork, and having a lasting impact through process improvements and training," she shares. Her diverse daily tasks keep her engaged and motivated.
Erika Briedikova - Governance & Automation Manager NPM Purchasing for Eastern Europe
Essential Skills and Mindset for Success
According to Steffi, the essential skills for someone new to this position include strong communication skills, adaptability, quick learning, a drive for continuous improvement, a passion for processes, SAP knowledge, and intercultural skills. "Success in this role requires a proactive, positive, patient, thankful and tolerant mindset" she says.
For those looking to start in a similar role, Steffi highlights the importance of being motivated for ERP projects, enthusiastic about learning new things, flexible, and having a target/task-oriented approach.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Steffi describes her position as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to establish a completely new ERP backbone with state-of-the-art technology for a major corporation. "Improving processes and establishing new ways of working for many colleagues has been incredibly rewarding," she reflects. "It's a great success when colleagues provide positive feedback on next.GenERP."
Through her dedication and expertise, Steffi Häberlein is helping to shape the future of ZF, driving efficiency, adaptability, and innovation within the company.
