Lately, I've been noticing something interesting in the SAP talent landscape. As more companies plan their S/4HANA migrations, especially with SAP's mainstream maintenance for ECC running through 2027 and extended maintenance available until 2030, there’s a major shift in how companies are approaching their implementation teams. A lot of them are laser-focused on technical skills, but here’s the thing: they're often overlooking a crucial element—business expertise.
Let me give you a real-world example. I recently worked with a manufacturing client who started their S/4HANA migration with a team of technical SAP specialists. It seemed like the right choice at first, but they quickly realized they were missing something important. They needed people who could bridge the gap between technical capabilities and their actual business needs. They were looking for experts who could translate their operations into SAP's potential. Once they understood this, their team-building strategy shifted—and it made all the difference.
Key Roles That Drive Success
Through supporting numerous S/4HANA transitions, I’ve learned what works when it comes to team structures. Here are the roles that are making a big impact:
1. S/4HANA Solution Architects
These professionals need a balanced understanding of both the technical landscape and business processes. I recently helped place an architect with solid implementation experience, and they played a huge role in guiding a client through complex customization decisions that were perfectly aligned with their business needs.
2. Business Process Specialists
This is where the magic happens. You need people who can connect SAP functionality with your day-to-day operations. One business process specialist I placed had a background in manufacturing, along with SAP expertise, and they identified process improvements that would’ve been invisible to a purely technical team. That was a game-changer for the client.
3. Data Migration Experts
Data migration is key to S/4HANA success, and having the right experts is crucial. I recently worked with a client who had a data migration specialist on board from the beginning. This expert spent time cleaning and prepping their master data well before the migration started, which led to a smooth, seamless transition.
4. Integration Specialists
S/4HANA isn’t just a standalone system—it integrates with multiple other systems. This is where integration specialists come in. I helped a client who had one of these experts onboard to map out all the system dependencies early in the process. This foresight saved them from a lot of headaches further down the line.
What We’re Seeing in the Market
Right now, the demand for S/4HANA specialists is really high, particularly those with solid implementation experience. Here’s what the most successful companies are doing:
- Building balanced teams: They’re mixing experienced S/4HANA professionals with internal talent who already understand the company’s operations.
- Investing in training: Companies are also putting resources into upskilling their existing SAP teams so they can handle the complexities of S/4HANA.
- Bringing in consultants for knowledge transfer: Experienced consultants help guide teams through the tricky parts and ensure knowledge is passed on, making the project sustainable in the long run.
Building an Effective Strategy
I’ve seen firsthand what works in these transitions. Based on successful S/4HANA migrations we’ve supported, here’s what I recommend:
- Start with experienced S/4HANA professionals who can guide the project from day one.
- Include business experts who really know your operations and can translate those needs into SAP solutions.
- Bring in technical specialists who understand your current SAP environment and can ensure a smooth upgrade.
- Don’t forget about change management—having experts to help with user adoption is essential for long-term success.
A Strategy That Worked
Here’s an example of how a client did it right. A manufacturing company I worked with took a smart approach—they combined three experienced S/4HANA consultants with their internal SAP team members who had strong business knowledge. The result? Not only did the migration go smoothly, but they also built up a team of internal experts who were ready for future challenges.
Looking Ahead
If you’re planning your S/4HANA migration, now’s the time to think about your team structure. Whether you're looking to build out your team for an implementation or you’re an SAP professional on the lookout for your next opportunity, let’s connect. With our extensive experience in SAP recruitment, we can help you match the right expertise to your project needs.
Ready to discuss your S/4HANA migration team requirements? Let’s chat about how we can help you build the perfect team for a successful transition.
