Hybrid SAP COE Manager

SAP COE Manager

The SAP COE Manager leads the strategy, governance, and run-improve model for SAP S/4HANA under RISE, ensuring stable operations, value realization, and controlled innovation across the ERP landscape. The role establishes and matures the Customer Center of Expertise framework, orchestrates demand and portfolio management, and enforces fit-to-standard and clean core principles using SAP Activate and Cloud ALM. The manager defines COE processes for incident, problem, change, and release management aligned to ITIL, clarifies customer versus SAP responsibilities in RISE, and drives release planning, testing, and adoption across business functions. The position partners with PMO, Security, and Architecture to keep solutions compliant, supportable, and on roadmap.

Essential duties and responsibilities include establishing and maturing the Customer COE operating model, governance, and accreditation roadmap to maximize SAP ROI and standardize engagement with business and SAP. Defining and running demand, intake, and portfolio processes balancing Run IT and Improve IT across business and IT value streams. Clarifying and managing RISE roles and responsibilities across SAP Enterprise Cloud Services, SI partners, and internal teams, including optional and additional services scope. Leading adherence to SAP Activate with fit-to-standard workshops, Solution Standardization Board, and clean core extensibility guardrails. Managing SAP Cloud ALM as the system of record for requirements, tasks, testing, deployment orchestration, documentation, and operations monitoring. Owning ITIL-aligned practices for incident, problem, and change enablement with appropriate Change Authority and CAB usage. Directing release and upgrade management for S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, coordinating FPS/SPS cadence, testing, cutover, and business readiness. Governing transport, retrofit, and deployment pipelines ensuring segregation of duties, traceability, and compliance. Overseeing security and audit readiness for RISE, including roles and authorizations, note implementation approach, and monitoring coverage. Driving Fiori adoption, stability, and support practices to increase user productivity and ensure robust UX operations. Leading hypercare and continuous improvement, leveraging telemetry, business process monitoring, and KPI-led optimization. Managing partner ecosystem, SAP Enterprise Support engagements, and access to SAP roadmaps, Best Practices, and innovation content. Ensuring compliance with security, data integrity, and audit requirements, working with InfoSec and Internal Audit.

Supervisory responsibilities include managing a cross-functional COE team including solution leads, analysts, test leads, and operations SMEs, and overseeing partner resources as needed.

Education and experience include a Bachelor's degree in information systems, Computer Science, or related field. 8+ years in SAP delivery with 3+ years leading an SAP COE or equivalent leadership in S/4HANA programs. Hands-on experience with S/4HANA under RISE, including understanding of customer versus SAP responsibilities. Proven application of SAP Activate across Prepare, Explore, Realize, and Deploy, including fit-to-standard governance. Proficiency with SAP Cloud ALM for implementation and operations including testing, release orchestration, and monitoring. Strong command of ITIL incident, problem, and change enablement practices and service operations. Experience managing release and upgrade cycles for S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition. Excellent stakeholder management, vendor governance, and communication skills. Preferred SAP certifications such as SAP Certified Application Associate in a relevant LoB, SAP Activate Project Manager, or Cloud ALM practitioner. Experience with Fiori operations at scale and UX support practices. Familiarity with Solution Manager to Cloud ALM transition considerations. Industry experience in distribution or manufacturing.