Sr Assoc, Functional Design & Arch - PP

Job Title: Senior Solution Architect, SAP S4HANA – Production Planning (PP) Job Description This role leads the functional design and architecture for SAP S4HANA Production Planning within a large S4 migration program. You will collaborate closely with Production, Operations, Supply Chain and Quality teams to define requirements, design scalable solutions, and translate business needs into robust SAP configurations. The position combines hands-on SAP PP/S4HANA expertise, solution architecture, project delivery, and people leadership to ensure high-quality, compliant, and sustainable digital and transformation outcomes. Responsibilities • Lead the functional design and architecture for SAP S4HANA Production Planning, ensuring solutions align with overall digital and transformation strategy. • Participate in the S4 migration project by defining how production planning processes should be set up in the system and translating them into practical, scalable SAP solutions. • Interact regularly with business stakeholders and subject matter experts to understand, clarify, and document detailed business requirements. • Analyze and understand current system setups and designs, then propose and implement improved configurations for S4HANA. • Configure and develop SAP PP (including PP-PI) solutions based on approved designs, ensuring scalability, robustness, and alignment with best practices. • Address configuration and integration issues as they arise, perform debugging, and ensure that newly implemented solutions can be activated and run reliably. • Support and execute PRE-UAT and UAT activities, including test planning, defect resolution, and validation of business scenarios. • Prepare training documentation and deliver user training onsite to ensure effective adoption of new processes and systems. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Quality, Materials Management (MM), Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), to ensure seamless integration of SAP PP with related modules and interfaces. • Provide technical delivery of new functionality and enhancements to meet defined business requirements in production planning and manufacturing. • Support Lean Sigma programs and initiatives, contributing to continuous improvement and achievement of defined operational targets. • Ensure strict adherence to safety and quality policies in all solution designs and day-to-day activities. • Lead the mapping of complex business requirements to optimal technical SAP solutions, recommending best practices and process improvements. • Provide ongoing system support and maintenance in line with ERP-SAP service delivery standards, internal policies, and regulatory requirements, including Sarbanes-Oxley and FDA GMP. • Create and maintain system lifecycle documentation, including SOPs, standard operating instructions (SOIs), and job aids in accordance with internal policies. • Work within and actively participate in the Change Control process to manage system changes in a controlled and compliant manner. • Collaborate with Production, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to define detailed D&T-enabled business requirements and translate issues into practical solutions. • Use broad expertise to solve complex problems and deliver tangible outcomes that add value to the business. • Manage and mentor team members, including work distribution, performance evaluation, coaching, and team development. • Drive cross-functional coordination to keep projects on track, remove roadblocks, and ensure overall project progress. • Prioritize and execute tasks effectively in a high-pressure, global, and virtual environment, balancing multiple initiatives with a sense of urgency. • Stay current on the latest SAP S4HANA releases and capabilities, particularly in Production Planning, Manufacturing, and Quality, and apply this knowledge to enhance solutions. • Perform other related duties as assigned to support digital and transformation initiatives. Essential Skills • Deep expertise in SAP S4HANA Production Planning, including system functionality and technical understanding of PP and PP-PI (Production Planning – Process Industries). • Strong knowledge of SAP S4HANA in Manufacturing and Quality, with hands-on involvement in implementations for production and quality processes. • Thorough understanding of SAP PP configuration, including setup of master data and the functional rationale behind configuration choices. • Solid integration knowledge with SAP EWM, including end-to-end flows between production planning and warehouse operations. • Experience with process industries and discrete manufacturing environments. • Practical experience with integration to related SAP areas such as QM (Quality Management), MM (Materials Management), and EWM (Extended Warehouse Management). • Good understanding of shop floor and manufacturing interfaces, including MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems). • Familiarity with capacity planning tools and processes, including capacity planning, MRP, MPS, master recipes, process orders, and batch management. • Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex issues and deliver effective, sustainable solutions. • Demonstrated ability to bring stakeholders together, facilitate discussions, and drive decisions and initiatives to closure. • Proactive, self-directed work style with strong responsiveness and the ability to comply with organizational rules and procedures. • Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, complex environment while managing multiple priorities with a strong sense of urgency. • Experience in people management, including team leadership, work distribution, and performance evaluation. • Capability to mentor and coach team members, focusing on team building and professional development. • Ability to work effectively in a virtual, global organization, collaborating across time zones and cultures. • Proficient English language skills for communication, documentation, and collaboration. • Ability to understand and follow all relevant SOPs in line with company policies for the role. • Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience in SAP Production Planning or related SAP S4HANA roles. • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Additional Skills & Qualifications • Experience integrating SAP S4HANA with external systems, particularly in manufacturing and quality environments. • Industry experience in pharmaceuticals or medical devices, especially in regulated, batch-oriented production environments. • Knowledge of batch processes, pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing, and related compliance considerations. • Familiarity with Lean Sigma methodologies and experience contributing to Lean Sigma programs and continuous improvement initiatives. • Agile and Scrum certification, demonstrating experience working in agile delivery environments. • ITIL knowledge or certification, supporting structured IT service management practices. • Ability to travel locally as needed for project work, training, and stakeholder engagement. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into business language. • Self-motivated work ethic with sound judgment and accountability for delivering high-quality outcomes. Work Environment The role operates within a global, virtual digital and transformation organization that supports production, operations, and supply chain functions in a highly regulated healthcare and pharmaceutical context. You will work primarily with SAP S4HANA and related modules such as PP, PP-PI, QM, MM, and EWM, as well as shop floor and manufacturing interfaces including MES and capacity planning tools. The environment is fast-paced and complex, with high expectations for quality, compliance, and operational excellence. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across different locations is routine, and you will be expected to prioritize and execute tasks effectively under pressure. The position typically requires on-site presence a minimum of three days per week, providing opportunities for direct engagement with production and operations teams, hands-on training delivery, and close coordination with business partners. Employees often highlight the sense of purpose in contributing to safer drug delivery systems, the availability of training and cross-functional exposure, and the opportunity to learn new skills and grow professionally. Competitive compensation, solid benefits, overtime opportunities, and performance-based incentives further enhance the overall work experience. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Exton, PA. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $89.00 - $89.00/hr. Requirements Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Exton,PA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. 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