SAP Technical ABAP Lead

Detailed Job Description:

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Technical Architect (ABAP) to lead the design and governance of SAP technical architecture as part of a global template initiative. The role will focus on building scalable, reusable, and standardized SAP solutions across regions, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture and SAP best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Global Template Architecture & Design

• Define and govern the SAP technical architecture for global template rollout (S/4HANA preferred)

• Establish ABAP development standards, naming conventions, and reusable frameworks

• Design scalable and flexible solutions to enable multi-country/localization requirements

• Ensure template consistency across global deployments while allowing controlled localization

2. ABAP Development Leadership

• Lead complex ABAP developments, including:

o RICEFW objects (Reports, Interfaces, Conversions, Enhancements, Forms, Workflows)

o Reports, Enhancements (User Exits, BADIs), SmartForms/Adobe Forms

o OData services and SAP Fiori integrations

• Review and approve technical designs and code to ensure quality and performance standards

• Drive adoption of clean core principles and minimize custom code footprint

3. S/4HANA & Modernization

• Drive code remediation and optimization for S/4HANA compatibility

• Leverage modern ABAP techniques:

o CDS Views

o AMDP (ABAP Managed Database Procedures)

o Code pushdown strategies

• Support transformation from legacy (ECC) to S/4 global template

4. Integration & Interfaces

• Architect and oversee integration solutions across SAP and non-SAP systems

• Work with tools like:

o SAP CPI / PI / PO

o APIs, IDOCs, RFCs, OData

• Ensure standardized interface frameworks across regions

5. Global Template Governance

• Define and enforce transport management strategy across landscapes (DEV, QA, PROD)

• Establish release management and version control models

• Ensure compliance with global governance, audit, and security requirements

• Participate in design authority / architecture review boards

6. Performance Optimization & Quality Assurance

• Define performance benchmarks and tuning strategies

• Conduct code reviews, runtime analysis, and system optimization

• Ensure adherence to SAP best practices and quality gates

7. Stakeholder & Program Management

• Collaborate with:

o Functional consultants

o Business stakeholders

o Integration and basis teams

• Provide technical leadership during:

o Fit-gap workshops

o Template design discussions

o Deployment waves across geographies

• Mentor and guide offshore/onshore ABAP teams

8. Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Explore and implement:

o SAP BTP extensions (side-by-side/extensibility)

o Fiori/UI5 enhancements

o Automation in development lifecycle

• Contribute to reusable accelerators and frameworks for global rollout

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Experience

• 10–15 years of SAP technical experience

• 5+ years in ABAP architecture or technical leadership roles

• Experience in at least 2–3 global SAP rollout/template programs

Technical Skills

Core ABAP Expertise

• Strong expertise in:

o Classical & OO ABAP

o RICEFW development

o Enhancements (BADIs, user exits, implicit/explicit enhancements)

• S/4HANA technical capabilities:

o CDS Views, AMDP

o SAP Fiori + OData services

o Simplification & code remediation

Integration & Tools

• SAP CPI / PI/PO knowledge

• APIs, REST/OData services, middleware integration

• Experience with IDOCs, ALE, and RFC-based integration

Platform Knowledge

• SAP S/4HANA architecture

• Exposure to SAP BTP (extensions, APIs) is preferred

• Understanding of SAP Basis concepts (transport, performance)

Functional Awareness

• Strong understanding of core SAP modules such as:

o Finance (FI/CO)

o Supply Chain (MM, SD, PP)

o Procurement / Logistics

• Ability to translate functional requirements into technical solutions

Preferred Experience

• Experience in multi-country rollout programs

• Exposure to clean core and SAP extensibility models

• Experience with Agile / SAP Activate methodology

• Knowledge of DevOps practices in SAP landscape

• Familiarity with SAP Signavio / Solution Manager (for governance)

Key Competencies

• Strong architectural thinking and system design skills

• Leadership and team mentoring

• Stakeholder management across geographies

• Problem-solving and analytical mindset

• Global delivery experience

KPIs / Success Metrics

• Template reusability across regions

• Reduction in custom code and technical debt

• Successful rollout across geographies within timelines

• System performance and stability

• Code quality and compliance with standards

Certifications (Nice to Have )

• SAP Certified Development Specialist (ABAP for S/4HANA)

• SAP Certified Technology Associate (S/4HANA)

• TOGAF or architecture certifications (optional)