Among computer and information systems managers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for computer and information systems managers: 16% (some).

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

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Fender has filed one layoff notice in the last twelve months, covering 533 workers, most recently October 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings

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About the job

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world-famous brand with offices across the globe . Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument; it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We're looking for a Senior Director of IT, SAP to join our IT team and own the strategic technology roadmap for our SAP landscape. This is a hands-on leadership role: you will lead a team of IT engineers and developers while personally staying engaged in configuration, design, and testing - not just managing people who do the work.

You'll manage people, projects, system migrations, and 3 rd party system integrations. You will mentor team members on SAP capabilities, write and review design documents and functional specs, and make complex configuration changes. You will also build relationships with third-party technology partners — including evaluating new partnerships that add value for Fender.

We are currently on SAP ECC 6.0, planning for an upgrade to S/4.

Essential Functions:

Stay hands-on. Even at the senior director level, this role configures, writes and reviews technical specs, debugs and tests. If your background is purely people-management, this position isn't the right fit for you.

Mentor the team. Share your deep SAP expertise to further develop less experienced engineers.

Document. Keep IT processes and designs current in the IT Wiki.

Manage vendor relationships. Establish and maintain relationships with external technology partners to support IT and business requirements.

Lead the team. Manage IT engineers (analysts/configurators) and developers to ensure timely, high-quality delivery while supporting their growth and engagement.

Prioritize work. Review and prioritize development requests in partnership with the development manager and key business stakeholders.

Engage leadership. Interact regularly with members of Fender's Executive and Leadership Teams.

Run multiple projects concurrently , ensuring the most valuable work is delivered on time and on budget.

Optimize the landscape. Maximize development throughput while minimizing risk of disruption across the SAP environment.

Stay current. Continuously evaluate new tools and technologies — including AI — that can add capability, lower cost, simplify operations, improve performance, or accelerate development.

Know the integrations. Understand and clearly articulate Fender’s key SAP integration points across the SD, PP, MM and FI modules.

Own SAP maintenance , in partnership with the Development Manager: OS and kernel patching, OSS notes and support pack implementation, system refreshes, data archiving, SDK updates, routine HA/DR testing, and evaluation of SAP EWA reports.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering or a related field.

12+ years SAP Technical experience.

7+ years of experience managing a team

Strong organizational skill with the ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

A collaborative approach — solving problems with fellow IT team members with respect, trust, honesty, and professionalism, and contributing to a positive, engaged workplace

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

About Fender Musical Instruments:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Presonus®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, Bigsby®, and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit  www.fender.com . FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position. “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive. The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience, and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. If this is a remote position, the pay scale disclosed herein may be adjusted further based upon the applicable geographic differential associated with the location from which the successful candidate will work. Please note that it is not typical for a Fender employee to be at or near the top of the pay scale for their role – especially as a new hire – and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $160,000 - $205,000