IFS Functional Consultant

An IFS Functional Lead plays a critical role in the successful implementation, configuration, and optimization of the IFS ERP system. They bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions, ensuring the ERP aligns with organizational processes and objectives. This role often involves leadership and mentoring of a team of functional consultants.

Job Title: IFS Functional

Experience Required:

Job Summary:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Functional Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and provide technical and functional guidance to a team of IFS Functional Consultants.
• Allocate tasks, manage workloads, and ensure the quality and timely delivery of functional deliverables.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development for team members.

2. Business Process Analysis & Solution Design:

• Collaborate extensively with business stakeholders (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, HR, Service, Project Management) to gather, analyze, and document "as-is" business processes and "to-be" requirements.
• Conduct workshops and facilitate discussions to elicit detailed functional needs.
• Perform gap analysis between existing processes/systems and IFS capabilities, proposing optimal solutions.
• Design and document functional specifications, including process flows, use cases, and configuration requirements, ensuring alignment with IFS best practices.
• Provide expert advice and recommendations on how to leverage standard IFS functionalities to meet business needs, minimizing customizations where possible.

3. IFS Configuration & Implementation:

• Lead the configuration of one or more IFS modules (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Project, Service Management, HCM, EAM) to meet documented business requirements.
• Oversee and actively participate in the setup of IFS parameters, master data, and security roles.
• Collaborate closely with technical teams (developers, integration specialists) for customizations, integrations, and reports, providing clear functional specifications.
• Manage data migration activities, including mapping, cleansing, and validation.

4. Testing, Training & Support:

• Develop and execute comprehensive functional test plans and test scripts (e.g., unit testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing - UAT).
• Coordinate and support UAT sessions, ensuring business users validate the solution effectively.
• Develop and deliver user training materials and conduct training sessions for end-users and key stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing functional support post-go-live, troubleshooting issues, and identifying root causes.
• Document system configurations, processes, and procedures for ongoing maintenance and knowledge transfer.

5. Project Management Support:

• Work closely with the Project Manager to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables related to functional areas.
• Contribute to project planning, scheduling, and risk management activities.
• Report on progress, identify potential risks, and propose mitigation strategies for functional workstreams.
• Ensure adherence to project methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and quality standards.

6. Continuous Improvement & System Optimization:

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and system optimization within IFS.
• Stay current with IFS product updates, new features (especially IFS Cloud releases), and industry trends.
• Drive the adoption of new functionalities and best practices to maximize the value of the IFS investment.

Qualifications:

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive experience in ERP functional consulting, with at least 3-5 years specifically in a Lead/Senior Functional Consultant role for IFS.
• Proven experience with full lifecycle IFS ERP implementations (preferably multiple projects).
• In-depth functional expertise in at least two major IFS modules (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Project, Service, EAM, HCM).
• Experience with IFS Applications (Apps 9, 10) and significant experience with or knowledge of

  IFS Cloud

  is highly desirable.
• Experience in relevant industry sectors (e.g., Manufacturing, Construction & Engineering, Energy & Utilities, Service, Aerospace & Defense, Telecommunications) is a significant advantage.

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of relational databases and SQL for data analysis and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with IFS customization and extension tools (e.g., Custom Fields, Custom Events, Lobbies, Workflows, Report Designer).
• Basic understanding of integration concepts (APIs, web services).

Soft Skills:

• Excellent leadership, team management, and mentoring abilities.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable to changing project requirements.
• A strong customer-centric approach.

Preferred Qualifications:

• IFS Certifications in relevant modules.
• Experience working in a consulting environment.
• Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, Prince2).

1. Technical Solution Design

   : Creating and demonstrating technical solutions that address customer needs and align with the company's product capabilities.

2. Sales Support

   : Partnering with account executives to provide technical expertise during sales meetings, helping translate customer requirements into viable solutions.

3. Product Demonstrations

   : Delivering compelling demos that showcase product capabilities relevant to specific customer use cases.

4. Technical Proposal Development

   : Writing and reviewing technical sections of RFPs, RFIs, and sales proposals.

5. Proof of Concept Management

   : Designing, implementing and managing POCs to validate solutions for prospective customers.

6. Customer Consultation

   : Acting as a trusted technical advisor to prospects and customers throughout the sales cycle.

7. Competitive Analysis

   : Understanding competitor offerings and articulating differentiators from a technical perspective.

8. Team Leadership

   : Managing a team of pre-sales engineers, providing mentorship, and ensuring consistent quality of technical sales support

Required Skills

• Deep technical knowledge of relevant products/technologies
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong presentation and demo capabilities
• Business acumen to understand customer requirements in context
• Project management skills to coordinate multiple opportunities
• Strategic thinking to tailor solutions to specific customer needs