SAP S/4 PPDS Product Owner

This person will play a key role in our global ERP transformation initiative, focused on enabling next-generation digital capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing and planning functions. In this vital role you will be partnered with the SAP Manufacturing Delivery and Business Teams to advance and automate day-to-day production planning and scheduling functions which will accelerate strategy and growth. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting SAP S/4HANA solutions focusing on end-to-end production planning, detailed scheduling, and master data management. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in discreet and/or process manufacturing environments and have hands-on experience in integrating PPDS with core S/4 modules and other digital manufacturing solutions.

The ideal candidate will serve as a functional thought leader and integration architect, partnering with global supply chain, manufacturing, and quality teams to enable scalable, compliant, and efficient operations using SAP S/4HANA and related technologies. This person will be involved in recommending the most appropriate technology application for the client based on business requirements and transformation needs. The candidate should be a self-starter and have a strong passion for fostering innovation and excellence in the biotechnology industry. Additionally, collaboration with cross-functional and global teams is required to ensure seamless integration and operational excellence.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and configure PPDS functionalities in S/4HANA including planning heuristics, optimizer setup, pegging strategies, and capacity planning.

• Develop and support real-time production planning scenarios in integration with MRP Live and Demand-Driven MRP.

• Optimize scheduling using PPDS tools such as Product View, DS Planning Board, and Alert Monitor.

• Implement advanced planning capabilities like block planning, sequence-dependent setup times, and alternate resources.

• Provide best practice expertise across SAP PP (Planning strategies, BOMs, routings, capacity planning), SAP PP/DS (Detailed scheduling, production planning heuristics), Master Data (Material Master, BOMs, Work Centers, Recipes, Inspection Characteristics)

• Manage and maintain key production master data including BOMs, routings, work centers/resources, production versions, and master recipes.

• Ensure master data integrity to support efficient MRP and scheduling processes.

• Lead initiatives to streamline master data governance and version control across manufacturing plants

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in MM, SD, QM, and EWM to ensure seamless integration of PPDS with supply chain and production processes.

• Provide end-user training, documentation, and go-live/post-go-live support.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to planning, scheduling, and master data discrepancies.

• Collaborate with global and regional stakeholders in Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain Planning to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.

• Facilitate workshops, gap analysis, and future-state design sessions to shape effective SAP solutions.

• Support change management, user training, and adoption across impacted sites.

• Ability to analyse supply chain operational data, to identify opportunities and develop insights to translate business requirements into clear fit gat analysis and technology implementation strategies for business transformation

• Ensure compliance with GxP, SOX, and data governance standards for all processes and master data objects.

• Develop talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, champion diversity within the team and act as a role model of servant leadership.

• Collaborate with geographically dispersed teams, including those in the US and other international locations

Basic Qualifications and Experience

• 9-12 years of experience in Business, Engineering, IT or related field

Functional Skills

Must-Have Skills:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with SAP PPDS in S/4HANA environment.

• Strong understanding of MRP, finite/infinite planning, and production execution flows.

• In-depth experience with SAP production master data and its impact on planning and scheduling.

• Experience in at least one full-cycle SAP S/4HANA implementation involving PPDS.

• Knowledge of Advanced Planning (PPDS/IBP) and Master Data Governance (MDG) concepts.

• Facilitating business process design, requirements gathering, conducting fit gap analysis and ability to design technical solutions leveraging S/4 PPDS functions.

• Provides architecture guidance on individual system designs; Architect designs and solutions to support the realization of supply chain planning functionalities using SAP S/4 PPDS

• Knowledge of integration with SAP IBP, MES, or third-party scheduling tools.

• Familiarity with embedded PPDS in S/4 vs. standalone APO environments.

• Exposure to advanced technologies such as SAP Fiori, CDS views, and digital manufacturing

Good-to-Have Skills:

• Familiarity with cloud-based data solutions.

• Ability to work effectively across matrixed organizations and lead collaboration between data and AI teams.

• Passion for technology and customer success, particularly in driving innovative AI and data solutions.

• Experience in services or consulting related to data and AI products is a plus, and familiarity with biotech/pharma is beneficial.

• Working knowledge of integrations suite using API's or 3rd party integration software like BTP, PI, Talend, MuleSoft, Data Lake and Data Fabrics etc

• Experience using and adoption of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

• Understanding of FDA regulations governing computer system validation and operation

• Familiarity with security requirements and best practices for data at rest and in transit

Professional Certifications:

• SAP S/4HANA certification in Manufacturing or PPDS.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to work effectively with global, virtual teams

• High degree of initiative and self-motivation.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities successfully.

• Team-oriented, with a focus on achieving team goals

• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.