IT Solution Engineer – Production Planning

About the role

The IT Solution Engineer – Production Planning is a key member of the in-house "Build" team, focusing on Production Planning processes in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. This role involves hands-on configuration, implementation, and support of projects and enhancements within the SAP ECC landscape, including integrations with other SAP modules and non-SAP applications.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business stakeholders, Solution Architects, and other SAP configuration specialists to gather, analyze, and document requirements, and implement approved designs.
• Cook up and document business processes, system integrations, and dependencies to complete assigned tasks efficiently.
• Manage small projects and enhancements within the Production Planning domain, ensuring timely delivery and quality outcomes.
• Perform hands-on SAP ECC configuration, with strong expertise in Production Planning and execution, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Utilize deep knowledge of SAP Data model and related master and transactional data tables/fields.
• Experience with IDOC'S, User exists, BAPIs and function modules are expected.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of PP Org Structures and relationship to Business structures, Master Data, integration into modules and systems covering the functions of covering MM, SD, QM, PM.
• Support Solution Architects in evaluating solution options, brainstorming design approaches, and implementing the best-fit solutions within the existing environment.
• Adapt systems and configurations to align with evolving business processes and requirements.
• Contribute to the execution of a multi-year PP roadmap, including integration of systems from newly acquired entities.
• Assist in developing an SAP S/4HANA migration roadmap and participate in downstream implementation activities.
• Provide end-user training and develop comprehensive training materials to support adoption of new processes and systems.
• Conduct unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) for PP-related configurations and developments.
• Maintain detailed configuration documentation, functional specifications, and process flows for audit and knowledge transfer purposes.
• Understand manufacturing standards and compliance requirements and be able to adhere to internal policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to optimize PP processes, reduce manual effort, and improve system performance.
• Stay current with SAP ECC and S/4HANA PP innovations, best practices, and industry trends.
• Partner with Business and IT teams to ensure seamless requirements gathering and end-to-end PP process integration.
• Function as a subject matter expert (SME) for PP in cross-functional projects.
• Collaborate with external vendors, consultants, and integration partners to deliver solutions involving third-party systems.
• Assist in change impact analysis, communication planning, and stakeholder engagement for PP-related initiatives.

Requirements

• 12+ years of IT experience supporting business processes within the Production Planning
• 10+ years of engineering experience, building solutions under established high-level and architectural designs.
• 2+ years of solution architecture experience, actively contributing to enterprise-level designs from process, technology, people, and data perspectives.
• Extensive hands-on SAP ECC configuration experience in the SAP PP domain– configuration, master data management, and integration with other SAP modules (MM, IM, WM, SD, QM, PM, FICO, APO, MES systems etc).
• Knowledge of Bill of Materials (BOM), Work Centers, Routing, and Production Orders.
• Relevant SAP certifications a plus
• Deep understanding of MRP (Material Requirements Planning), capacity planning, and shop floor control.
• Experience with SAP S/4 HANA a plus
• Ability to perform system testing, troubleshoot issues, and implement enhancements
• Basic ABAP debugging skills (optional but helpful).
• Strong technical expertise with SAP tables, fields, custom fields, pricing procedures, BAPIs, and function modules.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA migration concepts and roadmap planning.
• Project management experience or exposure, with the ability to manage small to medium workstreams.
• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturing industry experience preferred.
• Business process design experience, with a focus on optimizing Production Planning and Execution Workflows.
• Enterprise-level integration capabilities, including post-merger announcement systems migration and integration.
• Ensure data accuracy and compliance with company standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build, develop, and maintain strong relationships internally and externally; proven ability to partner cross-functionally.
• Genuine collaborator and team player with sound judgment and integrity.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align technology solutions to business objectives.
• Strong change management and communication skills, with experience supporting organizational adoption of new processes and systems.
• Ability to thrive in entrepreneurial, dynamic, and fluid environments while delivering results.
• Comfortable with agility, able to manage ambiguity, and pivot strategies in response to changing internal and external dynamics.
• Strong work ethic, professionalism, and a high level of integrity in all interactions that fit our culture.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and develop effective solutions.
• SAP certification in PP and related modules a plus.
• Adaptability and resilience in managing change, ambiguity, and evolving priorities.
• Collaborative mindset, able to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to shared goals.
• Grasp of project/delivery methodologies like SAP’s ASAP methodology, Agile a plus.
• Good proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), flow charting and modeling tools, and abreast of growing AI technologies in his domain is expected.
• Able to prepare High level conceptual designs, System designs and Low-level designs and presentations professional documentation and presentations.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present confidently to cross-functional teams.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, tasks, and initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Prominent ability to build and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.
• High level of organizational skills and attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in deliverables.
• Continuous learning orientation, staying current with emerging technologies, SAP innovations, and industry best practices in the industry.

Qualifications

• May need to occasionally travel to manufacturing sites and other First Quality locations.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundled of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• and more!