JOB SPECIFICATION: INTERMEDIATE SAP ANALYTICS CLOUD (SAC) PLANNING CONSULTANT

Blue Pearl PTY LTD; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

BluePearl Consulting is looking for an experienced Intermediate SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Planning Consultant to join our team, helping design, implement and support SAP planning and analytics solutions for clients.

You will translate functional requirements into scalable planning models, dashboards and integrated business applications while collaborating with stakeholders, senior consultants and project teams to deliver measurable value.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in SAP analytics and planning solutions.
• 2–4 years of hands-on SAP Analytics Cloud Planning experience.
• Participation in at least 2–3 end-to-end SAC Planning implementations.
• Demonstrated experience developing planning models and reports.
• Experience engaging directly with business stakeholders and gathering requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and configure SAC Planning models and applications.
• Develop budgeting, forecasting and workforce planning models.
• Create SAC measures, versions, data actions and advanced formulas.
• Build planning-focused dashboards and executive reporting outputs.
• Engage with clients in workshops, training sessions and demonstrations.
• Provide post-implementation support and continuous improvements.

Skills

SAP Analytics Cloud Planning

Planning model development

Stakeholder engagement

End-to-end project delivery

Tools

SAP Datasphere

SAP BW/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

BluePearl Consulting partners with organisations to deliver innovative technology solutions that enable smarter decision-making, operational efficiency and business growth. Through our technology and consulting expertise, we help clients transform business requirements into practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable value.

We are looking for an experienced Intermediate SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Planning Consultant to join our team and contribute to the design, development, implementation and support of SAP planning and analytics solutions.

Role Overview

The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, configuring, developing, testing and supporting SAP Analytics Cloud Planning solutions that address client requirements and support effective business decision-making.

Working closely with business stakeholders, senior consultants, solution architects and project teams, the consultant will translate functional requirements into scalable planning models, reporting solutions and integrated business applications.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on SAP Analytics Cloud Planning experience, a sound understanding of financial and operational planning processes, and the ability to contribute independently to project deliverables while working under the guidance of senior team members.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Solution Design and Implementation

• Participate in end-to-end SAP Analytics Cloud Planning implementation projects.
• Gather, analyse and document functional and technical business requirements.
• Participate in client workshops and requirements-discovery sessions.
• Translate business requirements into technical designs and solution blueprints.
• Configure and implement SAC Planning models and applications in accordance with agreed designs and SAP best practices.
• Contribute to project estimations, delivery planning and solution demonstrations.

2. Planning Model Development

Design, build, configure and maintain planning solutions, including:

• Budgeting and forecasting models.
• Financial and workforce planning models.
• Revenue and operational planning solutions.
• Cost centre and capital expenditure (CAPEX) planning.
• Driver-based planning models.
• Scenario planning and what-if analysis.

3. SAP Analytics Cloud Configuration

Develop and maintain SAC Planning components, including:

• Planning models, dimensions and hierarchies.
• Measures and calculated measures.
• Versions and version management.
• Data Actions and Multi Actions.
• Advanced Formulas and allocations.
• Currency conversion and data locking.
• Calendar processes and planning workflows.
• Value Driver Trees, input schedules and assumptions models.

4. Reporting and Analytics

• Develop planning-focused dashboards, stories and visualisations.
• Create executive and management reporting solutions.
• Build financial and operational reporting outputs.
• Design KPI and performance-monitoring dashboards.
• Support variance analysis and provide insights to assist business planning and decision-making.
• Apply effective user experience (UX) and visualisation principles to communicate business performance clearly.

5. Data Integration and Modelling

• Support the integration of data from relevant source systems.
• Work with data models and integration processes in line with solution requirements.
• Collaborate with technical teams on data quality, master data and system integration.
• Apply data-modelling principles to support reliable planning and reporting solutions.
• Work with or integrate into relevant SAP technologies, including SAP Datasphere, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP BW, SAP S/4HANA and SAP HANA, where applicable.

6. Testing and Quality Assurance

• Prepare test scenarios, test scripts and test documentation.
• Perform unit testing, system testing and solution validation.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and resolve identified issues.
• Troubleshoot planning models, calculations, data flows and reporting outputs.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure solutions meet agreed requirements and project governance standards.
• Assist with the preparation of functional and technical specifications, including solution blueprints, test cases and supporting documentation.

7. Client Engagement and Training

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and business stakeholders.
• Participate in workshops, requirements discussions and solution demonstrations.
• Explain technical concepts and planning functionality to business users.
• Prepare and deliver end-user training and supporting training materials.
• Support change management and user adoption activities.

8. Post-Implementation Support and Improvement

• Provide post-go-live support for implemented SAC Planning solutions.
• Investigate and resolve planning model and reporting issues.
• Recommend improvements to planning processes, models and solution designs.
• Stay informed about SAP Analytics Cloud Planning developments and best practices.
• Collaborate with project managers and senior consultants to communicate project progress, risks, issues and dependencies.

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in SAP analytics and planning solutions.
• 2–4 years of hands‑on SAP Analytics Cloud Planning experience.
• Participation in at least 2–3 end‑to‑end SAC Planning implementations.
• Demonstrated experience developing planning models and reports.
• Experience engaging directly with business stakeholders and gathering requirements.
• Ability to contribute independently to project workstreams and deliverables.

Technical Skills

Hands-on experience with:

• SAP Analytics Cloud Planning.
• Planning model configuration and development.
• SAC stories and dashboard development.
• Data Actions and Advanced Formulas.
• Allocations and forecasting processes.
• Planning workflows and version management.
• Calendar processes and data locking.
• Currency conversion and financial planning functionality.

Finance and Business Planning Knowledge

A sound understanding of:

• Budgeting and forecasting.
• Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A).
• Cost centre and revenue planning.
• Workforce planning.
• Profit and Loss (P&L) reporting.
• Variance analysis.
• Management reporting and performance monitoring.

Data and Integration Knowledge

Exposure to:

• SAP Datasphere.
• SAP BW/4HANA and SAP BW.
• SAP S/4HANA and SAP HANA.
• Data integration concepts.
• Master Data Management (MDM).
• Data‑modelling principles.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in a consulting or client‑facing environment.
• Exposure to SAP Datasphere and connected SAP data platforms.
• Experience supporting financial planning transformations.
• Exposure to multi‑country implementations or large enterprise environments.
• Experience with predictive planning capabilities.
• Strong documentation, testing and solution‑design practices.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑engagement abilities.
• A structured, detail‑oriented approach to solution development.
• The ability to translate business needs into practical technical solutions.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork.
• Effective time management and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A commitment to quality, continuous learning and client satisfaction.
• The confidence to take ownership of assigned deliverables while collaborating with senior consultants and solution architects.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be demonstrated through the delivery of reliable, scalable SAC Planning solutions; accurate and well‑tested planning models; effective integration of business data; high‑quality documentation; positive client engagement; and solutions that support improved budgeting, forecasting, reporting and business decision-making.