Position : SAP Ariba
Location : Jackson, MI (Travel Required as per client need)
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.