SAP Project Manager Careers
What is an SAP Project Manager?
SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products) Project Managers develop applications software designed to make companies operate more efficiently. SAP software integrates an organization’s key business functions so that users can access all company modules from one application rather than using multiple software and hardware programs.
SAP is Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, software that incorporates a company’s business processes, including finance, sales, operations, and human capital management. An SAP Project Manager analyzes and plans a company’s project and directs the creation of an SAP program. This incorporation ensures that information flows from one component to another without redundancy and enforces financial, process, and legal control. It also ensures the effective use of production capabilities, human labor, and machines.
What is an SAP Project Manager Responsible For?
SAP Project Managers understand the challenges in an integration project and manage all activities related to SAP implementation. They ensure that the company’s business objectives and specifications are accomplished. They typically report to top management and provide strategic input in decisions that affect functional areas of responsibility.
SAP Project Managers can expect to work at any of the following tasks:
· Managing all aspects of SAP life cycle
· Providing project leadership
· Analyzing metrics and reporting to executive team to provide ROI information
· Providing executive summaries to senior management
· Developing and overseeing detailed project plans
· Providing cost benefit analysis
· Motivating those outside of direct authority to meet all project milestones
· Identifying project risks
· Developing mitigation plans
· Arranging meetings for all project team members
· Monitoring the status of the project
· Issuing project reports and statistics
· Providing project leadership
· Analyzing metrics and reporting to executive team to provide ROI information
· Providing executive summaries to senior management
· Developing and overseeing detailed project plans
· Providing cost benefit analysis
· Motivating those outside of direct authority to meet all project milestones
· Identifying project risks
· Developing mitigation plans
· Arranging meetings for all project team members
· Monitoring the status of the project
· Issuing project reports and statistics
To be successful as an SAP Project Manager, prospects will need to develop the following skills:
· Effective Communication. SAP Project Managers must translate great ideas into tangible actions. They must be able to show company leadership, users, and other team members the value of the project and the steps to get to the end product. Frequent and effective communication to share project status and design decisions is necessary to keep all members of the project up to date.
· Strong Focus. There are often many options in SAP design. SAP Project Managers must develop an integrated focus on the overall system design as it relates to business functions and processes.
· Forecasting Ability. SAP Project Managers must understand
Where Does an SAP Project Manager Work?
SAP Project Management jobs can be found in manufacturing, government, financial, infrastructure, and other private organizations.
What Other Career Options are Available to an SAP Project Manager?
Careers available to SAP Project Managers include:
SAP for Utilities
SAP Project Managers working in utilities companies develop programs that support all services supported by utilities and waste management companies. They develop processes that manage and bill residential, commercial, and industrial customers as well as develop new customers. SAP applications include managing addresses, schedules for meter reading, budget billing, and installations.
SAP for Finance
SAP Project Managers develop applications that assist financial planners with strategic planning, forecasting and budgeting, and performance management. They work closely with accounting and tax management firms to create applications for closing processes, financial reporting and disclosure, and compliance with evolving regulations.
SAP for Real Estate
SAP Project Managers develop real estate asset management software; contract and lease management technology, property management and maintenance systems; and build safety and energy management software applications. SAP applications help realtors efficiently manage complex real estate portfolios and keep up with digital trends.
SAP for Security
SAP Project Managers working in the field of security help clients quickly adapt to changes in technology, regulations, and compliance with SAP. They develop governance applications, controlling who has access to computer systems, whether in the cloud or on premise. They develop cybersecurity and data protection systems for continuous security monitoring, threat detection, and response.
SAP for Education
SAP Project Managers help students with successful learning analytics, lifecycle management, engagement, and institutional performance. They develop research planning and execution for academic and commercial research as well as developing research analytics and medical research insights. They help educational institutes manage education and research revenue with grant management and learner fee management applications.
SAP for Medicine
SAP Project Managers working in the field of medicine help hospitals and medical care providers with patient care delivery and administration and billing applications. They create applications that help engage patients as well as improving patient relations management. In healthcare analytics and research, SAP Project Managers assist with medical research insights and health connections.
What Degree is Required to Become an SAP Project Manager? What Do They Study?
SAP Project Managers begin their education with a bachelor’s degree in common computer majors such as information technology and computer science. Business management, computer programming, systems organization, advanced mathematics, and computer architecture also make helpful majors and minors. Additionally, minors in communications or business development will help students develop professional and social skills that are helpful when working with other employees and customers. Some degrees may require an internship.
A master’s degree does not typically include enough experience working with SAP software programs and applications. Some universities offer SAP certification programs that cover integration, customer service, business relations, and third party vendor product protocols.
How Much Money Does an SAP Project Manager Earn?
People with SAP Project Manager jobs earn, on average, $148,000 per year. Salaries in the automotive field average $131,000 annually while those in the biotech and pharmaceuticals industries are approximately $153,000 per year.
SAP Project Managers in the field of architecture and civil engineering earn an average annual salary of $150,000 and those in the legal and accounting fields earn about $148,000 per year. SAP Directors average $184,000 annually.
As with most positions in the field of SAP Project Management, actual annual salary varies, depending on location, experience, education, and size of organization.
