Business Solutions Architect - SAP IBP

The SAP IBP Solution Architect will serve as a thought leader and change agent, bridging gaps between SAP IBP capabilities and business requirements while delivering scalable, high-performance planning solutions aligned with enterprise priorities.

Key Responsibilities

SAP IBP Solution Architecture & Implementation

• Own technical architecture and design for SAP IBP Demand Planning, Supply & Response Planning, and Inventory Optimization.
• Design and support integration solutions using SAP CPI-DS, SDI, and RTI.
• Configure and enhance IBP modules to support high-volume transaction processing, including purchase orders and order lines.
• Design exception-driven planning workflows.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise IT strategy and SAP roadmap.

Requirements Analysis & Gap Resolution

• Lead business requirements workshops and discovery sessions.
• Evaluate what SAP IBP can deliver through standard configuration.
• Identify gaps between business expectations and system capabilities.
• Provide recommendations for configuration solutions, enhancements, workarounds, and alternative approaches where system limitations exist.

Exception-Based Planning & Performance Optimization

• Design solutions supporting large-scale exception management, including shortages, excess inventory, and supply constraints.
• Improve processing performance for high volumes of purchase orders and planning data.
• Optimize system responsiveness, scalability, and throughput to meet business expectations.

Business Engagement & Prioritization

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Parts Operations, and IT stakeholders.
• Translate business challenges into actionable SAP IBP solutions.
• Develop and manage a prioritized roadmap aligned with:
  • PDC enablement
  • ERP rollout phases
  • Post-go-live enhancements

Data & Planning Model Design

• Define and optimize planning areas, key figures, and master data structures.
• Support data readiness activities, including cleansing, transformation, and harmonization.
• Ensure alignment between SAP IBP, ERP data structures, and analytics platforms.

Integration & End-to-End Process Design

• Support integrations between SAP IBP, SAP ECC, and external systems such as data lakes and reporting platforms.
• Ensure seamless planning processes across Demand Planning, Supply Planning, and Execution.

PDC & ERP Transformation Support

• Align SAP IBP design with PDC blueprinting and rollout strategies.
• Identify deliverables for blueprint and post-PDC implementation phases.
• Support phased implementation and deployment activities.

Delivery, Testing & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in all phases of the project lifecycle, including Design, Build, Test, Deploy, and Hypercare.
• Support user acceptance testing, validation, and performance testing.
• Drive continuous improvement of planning processes and SAP IBP solutions.

Governance & Best Practices

• Ensure adherence to SAP IBP best practices, IT standards, and governance requirements.
• Document solution architecture, processes, and project milestones.
• Support long-term SAP IBP maturity, scalability, and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of SAP IBP implementation and solution architecture experience.
• Hands-on expertise with:
  • SAP IBP Demand Planning
  • SAP IBP Supply Planning / Response & Supply
  • SAP IBP Inventory Optimization
• Experience with SAP CPI-DS, SDI, RTI, and SAP ERP integrations (ECC and/or S/4HANA).
• Strong experience in high-volume, exception-based planning environments.
• Proven expertise in business requirements analysis and solution design.
• Experience with full software development lifecycle and enterprise architecture design.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aftermarket, service parts, or distribution-focused business environments.
• Experience supporting multi-ERP consolidation or transformation initiatives.
• Exposure to data lake and advanced analytics platforms.
• Experience supporting large-scale transaction environments involving purchase orders, order lines, and exception management.
• Ability to assess SAP IBP limitations and recommend alternative business or technical solutions.