Job Description
SAP Ariba Upstream and SAP Business Network Lead / Solution Architect (Sourcing, Contracts & SLP) We are seeking an experienced SAP Ariba Upstream Lead to lead the implementation of SAP Ariba Sourcing, SAP Ariba Contracts, SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle & Performance (SLP), and SAP Business Network (Commerce Automation) as part of a large-scale SAP S/4HANA transformation program.
The role will be responsible for driving the end-to-end solution from Prepare, Explore, Build, Test, Cutover, and Hypercare, while providing strategic guidance to business stakeholders and leading a cross-functional implementation team.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and implementation of SAP Ariba Sourcing, Contracts, and SLP solutions.
- Act as the primary advisor to client procurement, sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and IT leadership teams.
- Guide workshops, fit-to-standard sessions, process design, configuration, testing, training, cutover, and hyper care activities.
- Define future-state Source-to-Contract and Supplier Management processes aligned to industry best practices.
- Lead integration design between SAP Ariba, SAP Business Network (Commerce Automation), and SAP S/4HANA, including master data, supplier lifecycle, sourcing awards, contract integration, approval workflows, and procurement execution processes.
- Collaborate with business, integration, security, data migration, and change management teams to deliver an integrated solution.
- Drive issue resolution, risk management, design decisions, and stakeholder alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
- Mentor and lead functional consultants, offshore teams, and client SMEs.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of SAP Ariba experience with multiple full lifecycle implementations.
- Deep expertise in: oSAP Ariba Sourcing oSAP Ariba Contracts oSAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle & Performance (SLP) oSAP Business Network (Commerce Automation)
- Strong understanding of SAP S/4HANA Procurement and Supplier Management processes.
- Experience designing and implementing integrations between Ariba solutions and SAP S/4HANA.
- Proven ability to lead large workshops, manage stakeholders, and drive executive-level discussions.
- Experience with testing strategy, cutover planning, go-live support, and hyper care management.
- Strong leadership, communication, and client advisory skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Utilities, Energy, Manufacturing, or Asset-Intensive industries.
- Knowledge of supplier onboarding, sourcing governance, contract lifecycle management, supplier qualification, risk management, and supplier performance processes.
- SAP Ariba certifications preferred.
This is a leadership role requiring both deep SAP Ariba upstream expertise and strong SAP S/4HANA integration knowledge, with accountability for successful delivery and client adoption of the solution.