SAP Operations Manager

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced SAP Operations Manager to lead and oversee the activities of our offshore SAP team in India. This role encompasses the management of both functional and technical teams, ensuring seamless support, project execution, and operational excellence. The offshore team consists of SAP Functional Leaders (MM, SD, PP, FICO, WM, MDG, etc.) as well as Technical Specialists (ABAP Developers, FIORI Developers, PI/PO and BASIS Admin). The SAP Operations Manager will report directly to the SAP Leader based in Lake Forest, California, and will act as a strategic partner in achieving the organization’s SAP objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Management:

1. Oversee the offshore SAP team, comprising Functional Leaders and Technical Specialists (ABAP, FIORI, BASIS), ensuring high performance and collaboration across teams.
2. Act as the escalation point for all operational, functional, and technical issues, driving quick and effective resolutions.
3. Provide leadership and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of growth, learning, and accountability.
4. Develop and maintain resource allocation plans, ensuring the appropriate distribution of workload across functional and technical teams.
5. Conduct regular performance reviews, skills assessments, and career development planning for all team members.

Operational Oversight:

1. Ensure effective support and maintenance of SAP systems, including both functional (MM, SD, PP, FICO, WM, MDG) and technical (ABAP, FIORI, BASIS) components.
2. Monitor and enforce adherence to SLA commitments and KPIs for incident management, service requests, and system enhancements.
3. Coordinate cross-functional and cross-technical collaboration to address complex issues and implement improvements.
4. Maintain a proactive approach to identifying risks, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement in SAP operations.

Project Management and Delivery:

1. Collaborate with the SAP Leader to prioritize and deliver both functional and technical project deliverables, including configurations, developments, testing, and deployments.
2. Manage offshore contributions to SAP implementations, upgrades, customizations, and migrations, ensuring timely and high-quality outcomes.
3. Ensure technical developments, including ABAP programs, FIORI apps, and BASIS configurations, meet organizational standards and best practices.
4. Oversee the integration and testing of new features or updates within the SAP landscape.

Strategic Alignment and Communication:

1. Partner with the SAP Leadership team to ensure offshore activities align with global business strategies and goals.
2. Provide detailed operational and project updates to the SAP Leader in California, including progress reports, performance metrics, and risk assessments.
3. Facilitate effective communication between offshore functional and technical teams and their onshore counterparts.
4. Stay updated on the latest SAP trends and technologies, recommending innovations to enhance system functionality and performance.

Governance and Compliance:

1. Ensure all functional and technical operations comply with organizational policies, industry standards, and security protocols.
2. Implement and monitor governance frameworks to maintain SAP system integrity and operational excellence.
3. Conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure compliance and identify improvement opportunities.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in SAP, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing both functional and technical teams.
• Proven experience managing SAP teams, including Functional Leaders and Technical Specialists (ABAP, FIORI, BASIS).
• Hands-on experience with SAP ECC 6.0 on HANA version and SAP MDG, SAP implementations, upgrades, support, and integration projects.

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of SAP ERP functional modules (MM, SD, PP, FICO, WM, MDG) and their cross-functional integration.
• Solid knowledge of SAP technical components such as ABAP development, FIORI apps, and BASIS administration.
• Familiarity with SAP S/4HANA, CPGRC and SAP Solution Manager is a plus.
• Has experience managing Bolt on applications with SAP (SmartClose, Opentext, Reconciliation, Onbase, Brainware, etc.)

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for managing global teams and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Required Skills:

• Develops Talent -  Developing people to meet their career goals and the organizations goals
• Directs Work – Providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done
• Global Perspective – Taking a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens
• Situational Adaptability – Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations
• Manages Conflict – Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise
• Ensures Accountability – Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Manages Ambiguity – Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
• Decision Quality – Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Nimble Learning – Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problem, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Balances Stakeholders – Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 61,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access. 

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.