SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Specialist (Contract)

The Focus Group; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

The Focus Group is seeking an SAP Analytics Cloud specialist to design, develop and maintain enterprise SAC solutions across planning, forecasting, reporting and analytics. You will engage with stakeholders to define requirements, architect SAC applications, models and stories, and support the broader SAP BI landscape.

Responsibilities include building SAC planning models, live data connections, and integrating with BW/4HANA, Datasphere and SAP S/4HANA, while driving AI-powered analytics

Qualifications

• SAC certification and hands-on experience in SAC planning and forecasting implementations.
• Proven ability to design, develop and support SAC stories, apps and models.
• Experience with SAC advanced formulas, data actions and scripting.
• Experience using virtual data models / virtual data sources and live connections.
• Knowledge of SAP BW/4HANA, S/4HANA integration with SAC and Datasphere.
• Familiarity with Analysis for Office (AFO) and Just Ask in SAC.
• Experience with Joule and AI-powered analytics within SAP solutions.
• Ability to engage stakeholders and translate requirements into scalable SAC solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and support SAC planning, forecasting, budgeting and reporting solutions.
• Develop enterprise dashboards and analytical solutions using SAC Stories and Analytic Applications.
• Model data within SAC and optimize analytical models for performance.
• Implement planning models, versions, allocations, data actions and advanced formulas.
• Maintain SAC scripting solutions within Analytic Applications.
• Design and consume virtual data sources and live data connections.
• Integrate SAC with BW/4HANA, Datasphere, HANA Cloud and S/4HANA landscapes.
• Collaborate with PMs and SAP consultants to deliver analytics solutions.

Job description

Job Purpose

To apply specialist SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) expertise under minimal direction within SAP projects and technical initiatives. The role is responsible for designing, developing, supporting and maintaining enterprise planning, forecasting, reporting and analytics solutions that meet business requirements. The consultant will engage with stakeholders to define requirements, architect solutions, develop SAC applications, models and stories, and support the broader SAP Analytics and Business Intelligence landscape.

Minimum Requirements

Mandatory

• SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Certification.
• Proven experience in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning and Forecasting implementations.
• Experience developing and supporting SAC Stories, Applications, Models and Analytic Applications.
• Experience with SAC Advanced Formulas and Data Actions.
• Strong scripting experience in SAC Analytic Applications and Optimized Stories.
• Experience using Virtual Data Models / Virtual Data Sources and live connectivity architectures.
• Experience with Analysis for Microsoft Office (AFO).
• Experience with Just Ask and AI-driven analytics capabilities within SAP Analytics Cloud.
• Experience leveraging Joule and AI-powered analytics functionality within SAP solutions.
• Understanding of SAP Analytics Cloud integration with BW/4HANA and S/4HANA environments.

Preferred

• SAP Datasphere experience.
• Business Data Cloud (BDC) experience.
• SAP BW/4HANA experience.
• Experience with SAP HANA Cloud.
• Exposure to predictive analytics, machine learning and AI-driven planning capabilities within SAP.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, develop and support SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) planning, forecasting, budgeting and reporting solutions.
• Develop enterprise dashboard, reporting and analytical solutions using SAC Stories and Analytic Applications.
• Model data within SAC and optimize analytical models for performance and scalability.
• Design and implement SAC planning models, versions, allocations, data actions and advanced formulas.
• Develop and maintain SAC scripting solutions within Analytic Applications.
• Implement planning and forecasting capabilities aligned to business requirements and financial processes.
• Design and consume virtual data sources, live data connections and federated analytics architectures.
• Integrate SAC with SAP BW/4HANA, SAP Datasphere, SAP HANA Cloud and S/4HANA landscapes.
• Design and maintain data models within SAP Datasphere where applicable.
• Develop end-to-end analytics solutions using SAP Datasphere and SAC.
• Leverage Just Ask, Joule and AI-assisted analytics capabilities to improve business insights and user experience.
• Support and optimize AI-driven analytics, search and natural language query capabilities within SAC.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Business Teams and SAP Functional Consultants to architect and deliver analytics solutions.
• Translate business requirements into scalable planning, analytics and reporting solutions.
• Develop and support Analysis for Office (AFO) workbooks and reporting solutions.
• Support migration and modernization initiatives from legacy SAP BI, BOBJ and AFO solutions to SAC.
• Provide input into enterprise analytics architecture and SAP reporting strategy.
• Investigate and implement enhancements that improve solution performance, usability and adoption.
• Perform solution design, development, testing and deployment activities across project lifecycles.
• Support production incidents and resolve complex analytics and planning issues.
• Monitor application performance and recommend continuous improvements.
• Contribute to quality and financial goals by operating within agreed budgets and Service Level Agreements.
• Deliver to stakeholders with an appropriate level of urgency.
• Work under limited supervision while supporting project objectives and deliverables.
• Highlight potential project and solution risks to project management and stakeholders.
• Act as a technical integration specialist across SAC, Datasphere, BW/4HANA and related SAP technologies.
• Provide technical leadership on planning, forecasting and analytics design decisions.
• Consult on SAP Analytics Cloud best practices, governance and standards.
• Provide input and oversight into testing, deployment and implementation activities.
• Share knowledge and promote best practices across the SAP Analytics community.
• Provide input into identifying dependencies between projects, support initiatives and strategic programmes.
• Identify, assess and mitigate risks relating to analytics and planning solutions.
• Drive problem resolution and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply disciplined delivery practices and effectively prioritise competing activities.
• Utilise information from multiple sources to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Resolve complex technical and business challenges using innovative approaches.
• Maintain and contribute to team knowledge repositories and standards.
• Continually develop expertise in SAC, Datasphere, AI capabilities, Business Data Cloud and SAP analytics technologies.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coach and mentor team members in SAC, planning, forecasting, Datasphere and SAP analytics technologies.
• Prepare and maintain technical specifications, process procedures, test scripts, user documentation and training materials.
• Participate in company culture-building initiatives and contribute towards transformation objectives.
• Participate in and support corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and policies and support implementation thereof.
• Promote innovation through adoption of AI, Joule, Just Ask and advanced analytics capabilities.
• Support the development of analytics standards, governance frameworks and reusable assets across the SAP landscape.