SAP Direct Procurement Global Process Analyst

Our client, a leader in the global healthcare sector, is seeking a SAP S/4HANA Direct Procurement Consultant to join their team. The client wants someone who will serve as the Process architect for Direct Procurement (Req2PO) processes. This role blends SAP S/4HANA expertise with process optimization and digital transformation initiatives. You will use Signavio for process mapping, design global P2P templates, and drive automation to modernize procurement operations across our manufacturing sites. Experience with SAP modules, along with the ability to analyze complex process data, implement digital workflows. This role partners closely with Procurement, Finance, IT, and Manufacturing to deliver seamless end‑to‑end Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P) processes. This is a contractual role which will run through 2026, with likelihood of extension well into 2027. The candidate must be flexible to work in the client’s preferred time‑zone, which will be either EST or CEST.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Discovery, Optimization & Documentation (As‑Is)
• Process Authority: Lead the detailed analysis and documentation of current Manufacturing Direct Procurement processes (including Bill of Materials (BOM) management, receiving, and inventory control in Signavio). Assess the current P2P process landscape, identify inefficiencies, and recommend optimization opportunities across policy, process, controls and technology.
• Upstream/Downstream Impact: Identify and analyze integration pain points, focusing on the upstream impacts from Planning (MRP) and the downstream impacts to Finance (AP) and Production/Logistics. Conduct root‑cause analysis on recurring issues, operational bottlenecks, or experience gaps and propose targeted improvements.
• Drive Immediate Improvements: Independently drive P2P improvement initiatives from concept to execution, ensuring clear objectives, deliverables and timelines. Develop business cases, value assessments and impact analyses to support decision making. Propose and execute procedural and data‑based "Quick Wins" (e.g., Master Data cleanup, SOP revisions) to optimize the As‑Is environment and reduce complexity before the S/4HANA rollout. Support testing activities for process and system changes.
• Controls, Compliance and Quality Assurance
• Evaluate existing process controls and identify opportunities to strengthen compliance and risk mitigation. Support standardization and simplification efforts to ensure consistent policy adherence across regions, categories and user groups. Partner with internal control and audit functions to address findings and embed remediation into future state processes.
• Template Design & Integration (To‑Be)
• Functional Integration: Ensure the STP global template achieves seamless integration with Plan‑to‑Make and Quote‑to‑Cash processes. Validate that Procurement process decisions align with production schedules and cost accounting principles. Manage the requirements for Material Master Data views (Purchasing, MRP) to ensure the system behaves correctly E2E.
• Documentation & SOPs: Map current and future processes and ensure documentation is consistently updated. Draft and finalize CE/Manufacturing‑specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and detailed process narratives (L4/L5) that reflect the standardized system logic.
• Design Resolution: Drive the resolution of complex design decisions that impact production, always aiming for a globally standardized, yet pragmatically usable solution. Benchmark processes against best practices and internal standards to define future state designs.
• Stakeholder Partnership & Change: Coordinate closely with cross‑functional stakeholders especially Material/ Supply Chain Planners, Manufacturing Site Teams, and IT—to validate requirements and secure alignment. Collaborate with them to validate requirements, secure alignment and ensure smooth hand‑offs. Monitor initiative progress, elevate risks or roadblocks and ensure delivery quality.
• Driver Mindset: Act as the Driver for the Direct Material stream, pushing execution, escalating risks, and ensuring all partners are delivering their readiness milestones on time.
• Quality Assurance: Support UAT by validating complex manufacturing scenarios (e.g., Subcontracting, Consignment) in the SAP environment.
• Conflict Resolution: Drive the resolution of design decisions where Procurement policy conflicts with Production reality, finding a pragmatic global standard. Prepare clear and concise materials (presentations, process documentation, dashboards) to support leadership reviews and decision making. Provide guidance to operational teams on process changes, ensuring successful adoption and sustained performance.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in P2P, Procurement Operations, and SAP implementation in manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience with SAP S/4HANA Procure‑to‑Pay modules.
• Proven experience in Signavio process mapping and process improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of ERP integration, workflow automation, and vendor management.
• Techno‑functional ability to translate business needs into SAP configuration and system improvements.
• Proficiency in Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement frameworks is a plus.
• Exposure to digital transformation initiatives, such as automation, workflow redesign, or AI/ML applications.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including training and change enablement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in change management, training, or process governance.
• Background in global or complex organizational settings.