SAP Functional Quality Test Lead in Birmingham

We are seeking an experienced SAP Functional Quality Test Lead to join our Digital Core SAP CoE as a hands‑on Quality Gatekeeper. This is a senior individual contributor role for a subject‑matter expert who combines deep functional SAP domain knowledge with a strong quality engineering mindset. You will be embedded within a product team, owning quality assurance end‑to‑end for your functional domain across the full release cycle — from SIT design through UAT sign‑off and post‑release validation. You will work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Solution Architects, Product Owners, and Business Process stakeholders. You are expected to challenge, advise, and assure — not simply execute. Self‑driven and highly organised, you thrive operating with autonomy in a complex, multi‑track SAP landscape.

How you'll make an impact:

• Serve as the Quality Gatekeeper for all Change Requests in your functional domain owning test readiness sign‑off at both SIT and UAT.
• Engage with Solution Architects during the SIT design and SID review phase to ensure testability is embedded in functional designs from the outset.
• Develop end‑to‑end SIT scenarios, own test script creation, review, and traceability, and ensure complete coverage of business process scenarios, including negative cases.
• Lead UAT planning and execution: define scope, build test schedules, onboard business testers, manage UAT defect triage, and own the UAT sign‑off pack.
• Perform hands‑on data preparation across SAP test landscapes, including master data, transactional data, and configuration prerequisites, ensuring test data readiness before every test cycle.
• Own defect lifecycle management: log, triage, classify, assign, track re‑test, and close defects in Azure DevOps; elevate cross‑functional blockers promptly.
• Review functional designs and BRS documents at entry gates, raise quality risks early, and prevent defect leakage to production.
• Produce domain‑level quality dashboards, weekly status reports, and post‑release feedback analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement: identify systemic quality gaps, propose process enhancements, and build quality capability within business and project testing communities.
• Work autonomously to manage competing priorities across parallel release tracks, escalating risks proactively to the Quality Lead.

Background:

• Proven years of progressive SAP functional testing experience across at least two full project lifecycles (greenfield or brownfield S/4HANA implementations preferred).
• Proven domain expertise in one or more SAP functional modules — such as Finance (FI/CO), Sales & Distribution (SD / Q2C), Materials Management (MM / S2P), Plant Maintenance / Asset Management, or Supply Chain with direct testing experience in that domain.
• Hands‑on experience managing UAT end‑to‑end: planning, script development, business engagement, defect management, and formal sign‑off.
• Hands‑on SAP data preparation experience — master data creation, transactional data setup, directly in SAP systems (not delegated).
• Experience working in a structured release governance model with formal entry/exit criteria and quality gate enforcement.
• Deep working knowledge of SAP S/4HANA and/or SAP ECC across the assigned functional module(s).
• Proficiency in SAP test management tooling — Panaya, SAP Solution Manager (TM module), HP ALM/QC, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps (ADO) or Jira for defect management and test planning.

Desirable / Advantageous experience:

• ISTQB Certified Tester (Foundation or Advanced Level).
• SAP Certified Application Associate in the relevant functional module.
• Experience with Worksoft Certify or Tricentis Tosca for regression automation.
• Familiarity with SAP Change Request Management via SAP Solution Manager (ChaRM).
• Experience operating within a Shared Services or CoE delivery model.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent process improvement certification.
• Background in utility, energy, manufacturing, or industrial sectors aligned to Hitachi Energy's core markets.
• Exposure to SAP BTP, Clean Core principles, or SAP integration middleware testing.

More about us:

Hitachi Energy is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where every team member can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives and skills. We provide competitive salaries, flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment that encourages growth and innovation through career development programs and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Specific benefits depend on the location and will be communicated during the interview process.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and join us to inspire the next era of sustainable energy!

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