Technology industry veteran Robin Manherz currently serves as the SAP Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer across all Sales, Services, and Customer Engagement functions globally at the German enterprise application software giant.
As one of the leading outsourced sales and marketing solutions providers to consumer goods retailers and manufacturers, Advantage Solutions serves the global needs of multinational, regional, and local companies through its offices across North America and strategic investments in select markets throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Aiming to help brands across a wide range of channels boost consumer demand, drive revenue, and achieve operational efficiencies, the California-headquartered firm offers data and technology-enabled omnichannel solutions such as digital commerce, business intelligence, sales, retail merchandising, and a full suite of marketing services.
In August, Advantage Solutions reported what it called “solid” second-quarter financial results. According to Tanya Domier, CEO at Advantage Solutions, the company raised its FY 2021 Adjusted EBITDA outlook by $5 million to a range of $520 to $530 million, citing continued strength in the sales sector and a ramping recovery in the marketing segment during the second quarter.
Adding SAP’s Robin Manherz to Advantage Solutions’ Board of Directors
To further reinforce Advantage Solutions’ commitment to delivering growth for shareholders and increasing value to customers and clients, the company has appointed SAP leader Robin Manherz to its Board of Directors (BoD). Bringing with her 25 years of experience in technology, investment strategy, transformative change, and finance, Manherz will play a key role in the firm’s governing body, which safeguards shareholders’ assets by ensuring that the company’s management works in their best interests and that they receive a good return on investment (ROI).
Commenting on Manherz’s appointment, Jim Kilts, Board Chair at Advantage Solutions, said that Manherz’s significant background as a global technology and operations executive for a customer-focused corporation like SAP makes her an “excellent addition” to Advantage Solutions’ BoD. He maintained:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Robin during this exciting and transformative time for our company, as we continue to increase value to our clients and customers by meeting their fast-changing needs and solving tomorrow’s problems.”
Meanwhile, Domier noted that Manherz is a people- and growth-focused leader with a track record of leveraging technology to drive digital transformation and positive business results. She added:
“Her experience driving the definition, harmonisation, standardisation, and automation of SAP’s processes, systems, and data to reduce complexities and cost — while accelerating growth — will be invaluable to our own dynamic journey. We’re fortunate to be benefiting from Robin’s leadership and insights as we evolve our core services, build out new capabilities and focus on operating as an efficient and effective company as we deliver growth for our shareholders.”
Leading as SAP Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
As the Chief Operating Officer for SAP’s Customer Success Area which includes the Sales, Services, and Customer Engagement functions worldwide, Manherz works alongside nearly 40,000 employees in the department to drive the tech giant’s customer-centric operating model. In addition to managing the execution of operating plans, Manherz oversees the acceleration of customer satisfaction and growth through Customer Success transformation programs, as well as the development and implementation of next-generation business models centered on maximising value for SAP’s current and future customers.
During a presentation titled SAP Executive Keynote: Digital Transformation in unprecedented times in last year’s SAUG Summit Online, Manherz shared what factors contribute to the resilience of SAP as an intelligent company. She discussed how the tech giant shifted its financial guidance to invest in resilience and longevity for a restless period.
“My responsibility is born to look at the strategy and turn that into performance initiatives, programs, specific KPIs and deliverables that bring it to life, that really deliver business outcomes so that people at the front line can deliver for you,” she explained.
Moreover, Manherz has held an array of executive and management positions since joining SAP in 2007. Prior to her current role in the organisation, Manherz also served as Chief Operating Officer of SAP SuccessFactors from January 2017 to July 2018. Reflecting on her latest appointment as a Director in a premier sales and marketing solutions company, she expressed in a LinkedIn post:
“I am so honoured and thrilled to be joining the Advantage Solutions Board of Directors today. A very special thanks to Tanya Domier and the entire management team… very much looking forward to working together!”
