SAP Center of Excellence (COE) Data Support Lead

The Data Support Lead is accountable for the stability, quality, and governance of business data within the SAP S/4HANA Run (Sustain) environment. The role ensures that master data and transactional data issues are resolved efficiently, data quality is protected, and data governance processes are enforced, while supporting business continuity and compliance. This role bridges operations and data strategy, supporting immediate Run needs while preparing for the future-state Data organization.

Goal of function:

Act as the liaison between business process owners, functional consultants, and the offshore/onshore technical team.

Responsibilities:

1. Data Run Operations & Support

 Own and coordinate day-to-day data support activities across SAP S/4HANA Run operations, including oversight of execution performed by internal and/or external resources.

Master data (Customer, Vendor, Material, Finance data, etc.)

Key transactional data issues impacting business operations

Ensure timely resolution of:

Data-related incidents

Data correction requests

Data inconsistencies across systems

Act as escalation point for complex data issues impacting multiple modules.

2. Data Quality & Control

Monitor and improve data quality KPIs (accuracy, completeness, consistency).

Perform and coordinate:

Data validation checks

Reconciliation activities

Root cause analysis for data errors

Prevent recurrence through:

Improved controls

Process enhancements

Training and documentation

Coordinate data quality activities performed by data analysts or data maintenance resources, ensuring alignment with governance standards.

3. Data Governance & Process Enforcement

Enforce data governance standards including:

Naming conventions

Ownership and stewardship

Approval workflows

Ensure data changes follow:

Defined business rules

Segregation of duties

Audit and compliance requirements

Support Master Data Governance (MDG) processes where applicable.

4. Incident, Problem & Change Collaboration

Ensure effective task allocation, prioritization, and quality of data fixes performed during incident and change execution.

Work closely with:

SAP Service Manager

Test Coordinator

Release Manager

Ensure data fixes are:

Properly tested

Approved

Transported via controlled processes

Participate in:

Major incident management

RCA discussions

Release readiness activities

5. Stakeholder Engagement

Internal:

SAP Service Lead

SAP COE Data Lead

SAP Functional Leads

Business Process Owners

GBS Operations teams

External:

AMS Partners

System Integrators

Data tool vendors (if applicable)

Responsibilities:

Act as primary point of contact for data issues

Communicate data risks and impacts to business

Provide data quality and performance reporting

Represent the Data Run and Maintenance capability in cross-functional forums and governance bodies.

6. Continuous Improvement & Automation

Identify opportunities for:

Reduction of recurring data incidents through operational controls

Automation of data validation

Self-service data corrections

Workflow optimization

Support:

Data cleansing initiatives

Archiving and volume management

Preventive controls

Contribute to the roadmap for future-state Data COE capability.

2) Stakeholder Engagement

• SAP Service Lead
• SAP Data Lead (future-state)
• SAP Functional Leads
• Business Process Owners
• GBS Operations teams
• AMS Partners
• System Integrators
• Data tool vendors (if applicable)
• Responsibilities:

Act as primary point of contact for data issues

• Communicate data risks and impacts to business
• Provide data quality and performance reporting

3) Miscellaneous tasks:

Capability development: Contribute to the design and gradual build-up of a Data Maintenance / Data Operations capability, including definition of roles, skills, operating procedures, and onboarding of resources as required.

Tasks not performed regularly which are nevertheless a distinct part of the job, or special tasks / project work.

Qualifications, experience, know-how and skills critical for success

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 12+ years of experience in SAP Master Data Management or Data Migration.
• Proven experience in AMS support projects, managing incident/change management.
• Certifications: SAP S/4HANA Certification (Data Migration, MDG, or relevant functional modules) is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with ITIL processes and, optionally, Agile/Activate methodology.
• Experience operating within GBS / Shared Services / COE models
• Prior experience managing or leading global, distributed teams in operational or support environments.
• Takes end-to-end accountability for data run stability, service performance, and risk management across the enterprise.
• Rapidly assesses complex, cross-domain data issues and drives resolution through clear prioritization and sustainable solutions.
• Remains calm and credible during major incidents and high-impact situations, providing clear direction and confident decision-making.
• Balances short-term operational needs with long-term data strategy, compliance, and scalability considerations.
• Aligns and influences senior stakeholders, business leaders, and delivery partners without reliance on direct authority.
• Frames data issues, risks, and investments in terms of business impact, outcomes, and value creation.
• Operational excellence driven: Sets high standards for data quality, controls, and service discipline, ensuring consistent execution and compliance.
• Champions continuous improvement, automation, and modernization of data support and maintenance capabilities.
• Designs, grows, and mentors scalable data operations and support teams to meet evolving enterprise needs.
• Communicates complex data and operational topics succinctly to executive audiences and governance forums.
• Proficiency in SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit (LTMC/LTMOM), Data Services, or LSMW.
• Experience with SAP Master Data Management.
• Excellent analytical skills to resolve complex, recurring data issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication, able to interact with senior stakeholders and business users.
• Meticulousness in handling data, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Tools knowledge :ITSM Tools: ServiceNow, JIRA Service Management, SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit, LSMW, SAP Data Services (BODS).

Core SAP & Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in SAP S/4HANA Run Operations
• Solid understanding of:
  • SAP Finance (FI/CO)
  • SAP Logistics (MM, SD, PP, WM/EWM)
  • SAP Basis & Technical Operations
  • SAP Fiori, Authorizations, Interfaces
• Familiarity with SAP Solution Manager, Focused Run, ChaRM
• Understanding of SAP integrations (CPI, PI/PO, third-party systems)
• SAP Products
• SAP S/4HANA
• SAP BW/4HANA / SAC
• SAP Solution Manager / Focused Run
• SAP Fiori & UI5
• SAP CPI / PI-PO
• Supporting Platforms
• ITSM tools (ServiceNow preferred)
• Monitoring tools (SAP ALM, APM, AIOps)
• Cloud platforms (AWS / Azure / GCP – SAP workloads)

Please list requirements such as willingness to travel or work weekends or shifts etc.

• Travel upto 20% can be expected
• Ability to support CET timezone (End state will include US as well, need to revisit this at a later time)