CORE Solution Design Manager - FICO Reco

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: CORE Solution Design Manager - FICO Reco

Company: Bayer

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Revenue Operations / Finance Operations / SAP Solutions

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Experience Level: 15+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design, build, and deployment of global SAP FICO solutions within a greenfield S/4HANA implementation, ensuring adherence to CORE guidelines and integrity of the solution.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and Business Value Stream Leads to define future global business processes across all Bayer divisions, aligning with local and international regulations.

• Define the Finance data model and integration strategies with other CORE Value Streams to optimize end-to-end financial processes.

• Leverage advanced SAP FICO functionalities, including management accounting and fixed assets, and stay current with S/4HANA operational best practices and embedded AI capabilities.

• Lead continuous solution enhancements for live markets and oversee testing phases, including unit, system, and user acceptance testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within a large-scale, global SAP S/4HANA implementation. The focus on "CORE Solution Design" and "FICO Reco" (likely referring to Reconciliation or Recognition) indicates a strategic importance in standardizing and optimizing financial processes globally. The requirement for extensive SAP FICO experience, including techno-functional aspects, highlights the need for a candidate who can bridge business needs with technical SAP capabilities. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to enhancing delivery efficiency and quality.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and decision-making for functional and technical aspects of SAP FICO in a global S/4HANA implementation, ensuring alignment with CORE solution guidelines and best practices.

• Partner with Business Value Stream Leads to translate business requirements into robust, scalable, and efficient SAP FICO solutions across all Bayer divisions.

• Design and implement resilient finance processes and data models that can adapt to evolving business models and technological advancements.

• Define optimal end-to-end solutions by establishing the Finance data model and integration methods with other CORE Value Streams.

• Drive continuous solution enhancements for live markets, including conducting thorough unit and system testing, and coordinating user acceptance testing (UAT).

• Stay abreast of S/4HANA operational best practices, embedded AI capabilities, and leverage AI-powered tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) to improve delivery quality and efficiency.

• Develop and maintain critical design documentation, including functional specifications, configuration rationale, and process definition documents.

• Ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations through effective solution design and implementation.

• Manage and mentor a team of functional consultants and subject matter experts within the FICO domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong blend of strategic solution design, hands-on configuration expertise, and leadership. The role requires not only deep technical knowledge of SAP FICO but also the ability to manage complex global projects, drive standardization, and integrate new technologies like AI into the delivery process. The mention of RICEF development and Data Migration Cockpit indicates a techno-functional expectation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• University degree in Accounting, Finance, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) is strongly preferred.

• SAP Certifications in Financial Accounting (FI) and Management Accounting (CO) areas are highly desirable. Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of hands-on experience in SAP FICO configuration and solution design.

• Proven expertise in multiple SAP implementation and rollout projects, particularly with global template solutions.

• Significant experience in leading large-scale, greenfield SAP S/4HANA implementations.

• Demonstrated experience in techno-functional roles, including RICEF development (Reports, Interfaces, Conversions, Enhancements, Forms, and Workflows) using BTE, User-exits, Customer exits, BADIs, and Data Migration Cockpit.

• Strong background in management accounting (CO-CCA, CO-PCA, CO-PC, ML) and fixed assets (FI-AA). Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge and configuration expertise in SAP FICO modules, with a focus on Management Accounting and Fixed Assets.

• Proficiency in RICEF development and data migration strategies for complex financial data.

• Strong understanding of business process design and optimization within finance functions.

• Proven experience in managing global projects, leading cross-functional teams, and effective stakeholder management.

• Familiarity with ITSM tools such as ServiceNow and SAP Solution Manager/CloudALM.

• Solid understanding of the ITIL framework and best practices for service management.

• Fluent in English (written and spoken). Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-powered tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) for enhancing delivery quality and efficiency.

• Knowledge of SAP's embedded AI capabilities within S/4HANA.

• Experience with other SAP modules that integrate heavily with FICO (e.g., MM, SD, PP).

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies in SAP project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a senior-level role requiring extensive, specialized SAP FICO expertise. The combination of functional and technical skills (techno-functional) is critical, as is a proven track record in global SAP implementations. The preference for an MBA and SAP certifications indicates a desire for candidates with strong business acumen and formal validation of their SAP knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable case studies of designing and implementing complex SAP FICO solutions, preferably within global template rollouts.

• Evidence of successful integration of financial modules with other SAP modules (e.g., MM, SD) and external systems.

• Examples of process optimization initiatives within FICO, showcasing measurable improvements in efficiency, accuracy, or compliance.

• Documentation showcasing experience with RICEF objects, data migration strategies, and their impact on project success.

• Portfolio pieces that illustrate experience in defining and enforcing design decisions, configuration rationale, and process documentation standards. Process Documentation:

• Proven ability to create comprehensive functional specifications, configuration documents, and process definition documents for SAP FICO modules.

• Experience in developing and maintaining end-to-end process flows for financial operations, including month-end close, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and asset accounting.

• Documentation examples demonstrating how to define data models and integration methods for complex financial systems.

• Samples of testing documentation, including unit test scripts, system integration test plans, and coordination of user acceptance testing (UAT).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Solution Design Manager role of this caliber, a robust portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase technical proficiency but also strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to drive process standardization and efficiency improvements in a global context. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions and the quantifiable business impact of their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated salary range for this position in Bengaluru, India, for a candidate with 15+ years of experience in SAP FICO solution design and management, is approximately ₹30,00,000 to ₹55,00,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior SAP FICO consultants and managers in major Indian IT hubs, considering the specialized skills, global implementation experience, and leadership responsibilities required for this role.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees and dependents.

• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conferences.

• Access to Bayer's global network and resources.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and long-term incentives.

• Employee assistance programs and well-being initiatives.

• Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO) program, fostering higher productivity, faster innovation, and better results. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

• Flexibility may be required to accommodate global project timelines, including occasional work outside of standard hours to collaborate with international teams or manage critical project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for senior-level SAP FICO roles in India. Actual compensation will be determined by Bayer based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation. The mention of "Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO)" is a unique benefit that emphasizes Bayer's commitment to a modern, productive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Agrochemicals. Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and agriculture.

Company Size: Bayer is a large multinational corporation, employing over 100,000 people globally. This scale implies complex organizational structures, extensive resources, and opportunities for global impact.

Founded: Bayer was founded in 1863, signifying a long history of innovation and stability in its respective industries.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the "Enabling Functions" division, focusing on IT and business support services.

• The CORE Solution Design Manager will likely lead a sub-team within the SAP FICO functional area, reporting to a higher-level IT Director or Head of SAP Solutions.

• Close collaboration is expected with Business Value Stream Leads, other SAP functional teams (e.g., SCM, SD, HR), IT infrastructure teams, and business stakeholders across various divisions and geographies. Methodology:

• The project involves a global greenfield implementation of SAP S/4HANA, suggesting a highly structured and standardized approach to solution design and deployment.

• Emphasis on "CORE Solution" implies a focus on defining a single, global template with minimal localization, adhering to strict design principles and governance.

• The adoption of AI tools points towards an innovative and efficiency-driven approach to project delivery and ongoing solution management.

• Likely adherence to ITIL for service management and SAP's own best practices for S/4HANA implementations.

Company Website: https://www.bayer.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Bayer's long history and global presence suggest a robust corporate structure and a commitment to long-term projects. The emphasis on a "CORE Solution" for S/4HANA implementation indicates a strategic initiative to standardize processes worldwide, requiring strong governance and change management capabilities from the team.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the operations and IT landscape, specifically focused on SAP FICO solution architecture and management. It sits at the intersection of finance, technology, and global project leadership.

Reporting Structure: The CORE Solution Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP level within Bayer's IT or Enabling Functions organization, overseeing the SAP FICO domain for the global S/4HANA implementation. They will manage a team of SAP FICO functional consultants and subject matter experts.

Operations Impact: The successful execution of this role will have a profound impact on Bayer's global financial operations. By designing and implementing a standardized, efficient, and compliant S/4HANA FICO solution, the manager will enable better financial decision-making,