Merck KGaA

Associate Architect

Posted On

Jan. 27, 2025

Location

Bangalore, Karnataka

Experience Level

E - Professional (10+ years)

Job Type

full-time or part-time possible

Apply By

March 11, 2025

Job Description

Job Title: SAP APO PPDS IBP ArchitectJob Description:We are seeking a skilled and experienced SAP APO PPDS IBP Architect to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing solutions related to the SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO), Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling (PPDS), and SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) modules. In addition, the role will involve taking the lead in establishing and managing a Center of Excellence (COE) for SAP planning solutions, ensuring continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice sharing across the organization.Key Responsibilities:Solution Design & Architecture:Design and architect end-to-end SAP APO PPDS and IBP solutions tailored to meet business requirements.Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and provide integrated solutions.Create solution blueprints, define system landscapes, and ensure alignment with organizational goals and strategies.Implementation & Integration:Lead the implementation of SAP APO PPDS and IBP solutions, ensuring integration with other SAP modules (e.g., SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA).Oversee system configuration, data migration, and functional testing of the solution.Ensure smooth deployment and transition of new solutions to production environments.Optimization & Continuous Improvement:Monitor and evaluate the performance of SAP APO PPDS and IBP systems, identifying areas for improvement.Drive continuous optimization initiatives for planning processes, production scheduling, and demand-supply matching.Develop and implement best practices for SAP planning solutions, ensuring alignment with industry standards.Center of Excellence (COE) Leadership & Management:Establish and Lead the COE: Build and lead a Center of Excellence (COE) for SAP APO and IBP, responsible for setting the strategic direction for advanced planning, scheduling, and optimization processes across the organization.Develop Governance Framework: Define and implement a governance structure that includes SAP planning best practices, methodologies, and standards, ensuring consistency and quality across all SAP APO and IBP implementations.Promote Standardization: Ensure the COE establishes standardized processes, templates, and tools for SAP APO and IBP solutions, driving consistent execution and reducing duplication of efforts.Continuous Learning & Knowledge Sharing: Promote knowledge-sharing initiatives, developing resources such as guides, training programs, webinars, and workshops for internal teams to stay up-to-date on SAP best practices and evolving technologies.Facilitate Collaboration Across Teams: Ensure cross-functional collaboration between different business areas (Supply Chain, IT, Production, Sales) to ensure alignment of SAP solutions with overall business objectives.Innovation & Research: Drive continuous improvement and innovation within the COE by researching and recommending emerging trends in supply chain technologies, SAP new features, and process improvements.Mentorship and Training: Mentor and train internal teams and stakeholders, fostering the development of in-house SAP expertise and enabling the team to solve complex challenges with minimal external support.Knowledge Repository Management: Establish and maintain a centralized knowledge repository to document lessons learned, best practices, and technical solutions for SAP planning functions.Performance Metrics & Benchmarking: Implement metrics to measure the performance of SAP APO and IBP solutions and evaluate the COE's effectiveness in improving operational efficiency and optimizing planning processes.Stakeholder Collaboration & Support:Work closely with business teams (supply chain, production, logistics, etc.) to understand functional requirements and translate them into technical solutions.Provide technical leadership and guidance to team members and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.Provide ongoing support, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the SAP APO PPDS and IBP systems.Documentation & Knowledge Transfer:Create and maintain detailed documentation for system architecture, design, configuration, and integration.Deliver knowledge transfer sessions to internal teams and end-users to ensure smooth system adoption and knowledge sharing.Project Management:Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring successful and timely project execution.Support in creating project plans, managing risks, and reporting progress to leadership.Required Skills and Qualifications:Experience:At least 8-10 years of experience in SAP supply chain management solutions, with a focus on SAP APO PPDS and SAP IBP.Proven experience in solution architecture, design, and implementation for SAP APO PPDS and IBP modules.Strong experience with SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA, and other SAP modules (e.g., MM, SD, PP).Experience in establishing or managing a Center of Excellence (COE) within an SAP environment, particularly in supply chain planning.Technical Skills:Deep knowledge of SAP APO PPDS functionalities including demand management, production planning, detailed scheduling, and deployment.Hands-on experience with SAP IBP modules (Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Optimization, etc.).Expertise in SAP HANA, SAP Fiori, and integration technologies (PI/PO, CPI).Strong understanding of advanced planning concepts such as MRP, capacity planning, and supply chain optimization.Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills:Ability to analyze complex business processes and design scalable SAP solutions to meet business needs.Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to optimize system performance.Communication:Strong verbal and written communication skills.Ability to translate technical jargon into business-friendly language for stakeholders.Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.Certifications:SAP Certified in APO PPDS and IBP modules is preferred.Preferred Qualifications:Experience with SAP S/4HANA transformations and migrations.Knowledge of industry best practices for supply chain and production planning.Experience working in Agile project environments.Prior experience working in or leading a Center of Excellence (COE) or similar functions.Soft Skills:Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.High attention to detail and commitment to quality.Strong customer service orientation.This role offers a challenging opportunity to work in a dynamic, high-impact environment, driving innovation and operational excellence through SAP solutions, while also leading the development of a COE to set the standard for supply chain planning capabilities across the organization.

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