SAP PPDS Lead

About Us
As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us. We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across :50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream.  Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever we're with, whatever we're doing, we always make it real.

Job Description
Reporting to the COE P2E Director, the SAP PPDS Lead will support Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling functions. This role involves leading the implementation, enhancement, and support of SAP PPDS processes and systems to ensure that business requirements are met efficiently.

This ideal candidate should be well-versed in the configuration of SAP. Strong functional knowledge in production and supply chain will be essential to success. The candidate should possess strong problem-solving and innovative thinking skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing the design, configuration, implementation, and support of SAP PPDS-related activities.
• Develop and implement best practices, standards, and guidelines for SAP PPDS processes.
• Collaborate with business teams to understand business requirements and then develop and map solutions in the SAP system.
• Provide hands-on expertise in configuring SAP PPDS modules(Design and configure SAP PPDS solutions including heuristics, optimization, pegging, planning strategies, planning board, DS planning and CIF integration)
• Coordinate with cross-functional team members to resolve issues and provide solutions in SAP (e.g., ECC, APO, IBP, MM, SD, WM) and external systems.
• Participate in global SAP transformation programs, supporting digital supply chain initiatives.
• Create detailed documentation including functional specs, test scripts, and user guides.
• Perform system enhancements, data migrations, and performance tuning.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior consultants and client teams.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex planning and scheduling issues in production environments.
• Oversee the SAP PPDS module during system upgrades, enhancements, and support packs.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement to enhance efficiency.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Ensure effective collaboration between PPDS COE and other SAP COEs (e.g., MM, SD, PP) and business units.
• Manage up-to-date documentation for all SAP PPDS processes and configurations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in SAP supply chain modules, with at least 6+ years in SAP PPDS (S/4HANA or APO).

Deep knowledge of supply planning, finite scheduling, capacity planning, and master data (resources, PDS, product-location).

• Experience with CIF (Core Interface) between ERP and PPDS.
• Proficient in planning run strategies, scheduling heuristics, PP/DS optimizer, and interactive planning tools.
• Hands-on experience with S/4HANA embedded PPDS is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of discrete, repetitive, and process manufacturing industries.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Prior experience in leading cross-functional teams and global rollouts.
• Strong skills in Excel (able to perform all basic functions such as Pivots, V-lookup, and formulas) are required.
• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills, are required.
• The ability to be adaptable, capable, self-motivated, and confident is required.

ofi
is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to racial or ethnic origin, color, age, religion or belief, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.