Senior SAP S/4HANA Analyst – Manufacturing (SAP S/4HANA Implementations)

Senior SAP S/4HANA Analyst – Manufacturing (PP, MM, SCM Focus) Job Location – Orange County, CA Contract On-Site Reports to: SAP Project Manager / Manufacturing IT Lead / Functional Lead Job Summary We are seeking a highly experienced Senior SAP S/4HANA Analyst with deep expertise in SAP Manufacturing solutions, particularly in Production Planning (PP), Materials Management (MM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes within the SAP S/4HANA environment. This role will play a critical part in supporting our client’s manufacturing operations by analyzing business requirements, configuring and optimizing SAP S/4HANA modules, ensuring seamless integration across the supply chain, and driving continuous improvement in production, procurement, inventory, and planning processes. The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of hands-on SAP experience, with at least 4–5 years focused on SAP S/4HANA implementations, upgrades, or support in discrete, process, or repetitive manufacturing environments. You will collaborate closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, and end-users to deliver high-performance, scalable solutions that align with industry best practices and leverage S/4HANA’s real-time capabilities, embedded analytics, and intelligent technologies. Key Responsibilities • Lead functional analysis, design, configuration, testing, and deployment of SAP S/4HANA solutions in core manufacturing areas, with primary focus on: ◦ PP (Production Planning): Master data (BOMs, routings, work centers, production versions), MRP runs, capacity planning, production orders, shop floor control, repetitive/process/discrete manufacturing scenarios, demand-driven MRP (DDMRP), and integration with manufacturing execution systems. ◦ MM (Materials Management): Procurement processes (purchase requisitions, purchase orders, contracts, scheduling agreements), inventory management (physical inventory, stock transfers, valuation), material master data, vendor management, invoice verification, and subcontracting. ◦ SCM-related processes: Advanced planning elements (embedded PP/DS if applicable), supply network planning, inventory optimization, demand forecasting integration, and end-to-end supply chain visibility in S/4HANA. • Analyze complex business requirements in manufacturing environments and translate them into SAP configurations, custom developments (where justified under clean core principles), and process improvements. • Support full lifecycle projects including greenfield implementations, brownfield conversions (ECC to S/4HANA), system upgrades (e.g., to recent S/4HANA releases like 2023–2025 features), and ongoing support/optimization. • Ensure strong cross-module integration (e.g., PP-MM, PP-SD, MM-FI, QM integration for quality checks in production, PM for maintenance tie-ins) and data consistency across finance, logistics, and manufacturing. • Perform fit-gap analysis, blueprinting, configuration, unit/integration testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and cutover support. • Troubleshoot production issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective/preventive actions to minimize business disruptions. • Provide operational support, including month-end/quarter-end closing activities, MRP monitoring, batch management (if relevant), and reporting/analytics using embedded tools (e.g., Fiori apps, CDS views, SAC integration). • Drive adoption of S/4HANA innovations such as intelligent MRP, predictive analytics, AI-driven insights, extended warehouse management (EWM) interfaces, and manufacturing-specific enhancements (e.g., Production Engineering and Operations – PEO). • Mentor junior team members, conduct knowledge transfer sessions, and contribute to process documentation, training materials, and best practice guidelines. • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify continuous improvement opportunities, automation potential, and alignment with industry standards (e.g., lean manufacturing, just-in-time principles). Qualifications and Experience Required: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Systems, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field (Master’s preferred). • 8+ years of progressive SAP experience in manufacturing/supply chain domains. • 4–6+ years of hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA (mandatory), including configuration and support in live environments. • Strong expertise in SAP PP and MM modules, with proven track record in manufacturing industries (discrete, process, or repetitive). • Solid understanding of SCM processes and integration points within S/4HANA (e.g., embedded advanced planning, supply chain visibility). • Experience with at least one full-cycle S/4HANA implementation or major upgrade/conversion project. • Deep knowledge of manufacturing master data management, MRP logic, production execution, procurement-to-pay, and inventory-to-production flows. • Proficiency in SAP tools like Fiori, SAP GUI, Solution Manager, and basic ABAP debugging (for issue resolution). • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills; ability to interact effectively with technical teams, business users, and executives. Preferred: • Experience with additional manufacturing-related modules (e.g., QM – Quality Management, PM – Plant Maintenance, WM/EWM – Warehouse Management, PLM integration). • Familiarity with S/4HANA 2023–2025 features (e.g., parallel sequences in PEO, extended quality checks, AI/ML in planning). • Exposure to integration with non-SAP systems (e.g., MES, PLM, third-party planning tools). • Certification(s) in SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing, PP, MM, or related areas. • Experience in regulated industries (e.g., automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods) or global/multi-plant environments. • Knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira or SAP Activate. Required Skills • Strong business process modeling and requirements gathering. • Configuration expertise in IMG (SPRO) for PP, MM, and related areas. • Understanding of S/4HANA simplifications, data models (e.g., MATDOC), and clean core extensibility. • Ability to create functional specifications, test scripts, and training documentation. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel advanced, Visio for process flows). • Excellent English communication (written and verbal); additional languages a plus.