SAP S/4HANA Tax Integration Functional Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SAP S/4HANA Tax Integration Functional Product Designer

Company: Ford

Location: Dearborn, Michigan, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Revenue Operations / Finance Operations / IT Systems

Date Posted: 2026-04-16T17:51:25

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Onsite 4+ days per week in Dearborn, MI)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design and implementation of SAP S/4HANA tax integrations, focusing on optimizing tax determination and reporting processes.

• Collaborate closely with the Office of Tax Council (OTC) and business stakeholders to translate complex tax requirements into robust functional specifications.

• Ensure seamless integration between SAP S/4HANA and Vertex tax solutions (Vertex-On-Demand/Vertex TPE) for global operations.

• Maintain and enhance the SAP S/4HANA Accounts Payables module and its tax-related configurations to support evolving business needs and regulatory changes.

• Uphold Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and application security protocols within the tax landscape, ensuring data integrity and system governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within Ford's Enterprise Technology division, specifically on the IERP Tax Product Team. It requires a deep understanding of SAP S/4HANA configurations, particularly within the MM and FICO modules, and their integration with external tax engines like Vertex. The focus is on functional product design, bridging the gap between business tax requirements and technical implementation for financial operations and compliance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Configure and customize SAP S/4HANA tax products across the IERP and non-IERP landscapes, with a specific emphasis on the Accounts Payables module.

• Manage and support the ongoing maintenance and technical upgrades of the SAP S/4HANA – Vertex product integration, ensuring optimal functionality for new release rollouts and enhancements.

• Work with Business/Product Managers to meticulously document product requirements, translating them into comprehensive Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) and Functional Specification Documents (FSDs).

• Partner with Enterprise Architecture and user groups to architect optimized, end-to-end cloud-based solutions that align with both business objectives and stringent technical standards.

• Proactively identify and address updates needed in current tax systems to comply with new legislative requirements, ensuring continuous compliance.

• Trace and understand the complete data lineage from source transactions (e.g., invoices) to final tax returns, ensuring accuracy and auditability.

• Interpret and apply system "rules" and logic tables within SAP S/4HANA and its integration with the Vertex tax engine.

• Develop and execute comprehensive test cases to validate complex tax scenarios, including edge cases and exemption certificates, and maintain robust regression testing for system stability.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for tax-related support tickets, liaising with SAP S/4HANA, Vertex, and other interface teams.

• Implement and enforce Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and application security protocols across the entire tax landscape.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for application development, deployment, and testing standards within the IERP Tax function.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, trusting business relationships with global and local stakeholders, fostering effective collaboration and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of functional configuration, technical integration oversight, and business process understanding within the tax domain. The emphasis on data lineage, rule interpretation, and testing complex scenarios indicates a need for meticulous attention to detail and a strong analytical capability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in the design, implementation, and support of SAP S/4HANA or SAP ECC, specifically within the MM (Materials Management) or FICO (Finance & Controlling) modules, focusing on configurations and customizations.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in the design, implementation, and support of SAP S/4HANA or SAP ECC, specifically within the MM (Materials Management) or FICO (Finance & Controlling) modules, focusing on configurations and customizations is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in preparing and aligning Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) and Functional Specification Documents (FSDs) with business stakeholders, effectively guiding technical teams.

• Proven experience working on integration projects and collaborating with interface teams to ensure seamless data flow between systems.

• Experience with SAP Tax or any tax engine integration, such as Vertex, is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of SAP S/4HANA/ECC configurations and customizations, particularly in MM and FICO modules.

• Proficiency in developing Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) and Functional Specification Documents (FSDs).

• Strong understanding of system integration principles and experience working with interface teams.

• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and predict business motivators.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in a global environment.

• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a "can-do" attitude.

• Familiarity with tax determination and reporting processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience with SAP Tax functionality or integration with tax engines like Vertex.

• Experience with cloud-based solution design and implementation.

• Knowledge of data lineage tracing within financial systems.

• Familiarity with Accounts Payables processes and configurations.

• Experience with regression testing methodologies for complex systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep SAP functional expertise (MM/FICO) and integration experience, coupled with strong business acumen and communication skills. The preference for Master's degrees and more extensive experience suggests a role that values advanced knowledge and practical application.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of SAP S/4HANA configuration and customization capabilities, particularly within MM and FICO modules.

• Showcase examples of translated BRDs and FSDs, illustrating the ability to document complex business requirements clearly and concisely for technical teams.

• Provide case studies of successful system integrations, detailing the challenges, solutions, and outcomes achieved, especially concerning tax functionalities.

• Highlight experience in designing or improving end-to-end processes related to tax determination, reporting, or compliance within an enterprise ERP system.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating detailed BRDs and FSDs that effectively capture business needs and translate them into actionable technical specifications for SAP S/4HANA and integrated tax solutions.

• Documentation of system integration processes, including workflow design for data flow between SAP and Vertex, and how potential issues were resolved.

• Records of test plans and execution reports for complex tax scenarios, demonstrating a systematic approach to validation and quality assurance.

• Examples of process improvement initiatives within SAP configurations or integration points that led to enhanced efficiency, accuracy, or compliance.

• Documentation related to SOX compliance controls and application security protocols implemented within SAP tax modules.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio should ideally showcase specific projects where the candidate has designed, configured, or integrated SAP S/4HANA modules with external tax engines. Focusing on the documentation process (BRD/FSD) and the successful resolution of complex tax scenarios will be critical. Demonstrating an understanding of data lineage and compliance aspects will further strengthen the application.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $99,600 - $192,900 annually.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is provided for Grade 7-8 positions. The final determination of salary grade, and thus the specific base salary within this range, will be based on the candidate's skills, experience, the job's scope, responsibilities, and competitive market value. This range is considered competitive for a skilled SAP Functional Product Designer with specialized tax integration experience in the Dearborn, MI area, reflecting the demand for expertise in enterprise resource planning and financial compliance systems.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage

• Dental Coverage

• Vision Coverage

• Prescription Drug Coverage

• Flexible Family Care Days

• Paid Parental Leave

• New Parent Ramp-Up Programs

• Subsidized Back-Up Childcare

• Family Building Benefits:

  • Adoption and Surrogacy Expense Reimbursement
  • Fertility Treatments

• Vehicle Discount Program for employees and family members

• Management Leases

• Tuition Assistance

• Established and Active Employee Resource Groups

• Paid Time Off for Community Service

• Generous Paid Holidays (including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day)

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week.

• This position is hybrid, requiring 4 or more days onsite in Dearborn, MI, with flexibility for remote work on other days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is extensive, covering health, family support, employee well-being, and professional development, which is typical for a large, established automotive manufacturer like Ford and aligns with attracting and retaining specialized IT talent. The hybrid work model provides a balance between in-office collaboration and personal flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Mobility Solutions. Ford is a global leader with a rich history of innovation, now focusing on transforming the future of mobility through advanced technology.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Ford is a Fortune 500 company with tens of thousands of employees globally). This scale offers opportunities for significant impact and exposure to complex, large-scale IT projects.

Founded: 1903. Ford has a long-standing legacy of engineering excellence and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the IERP Tax Product Team within Ford's Enterprise Technology division.

• This team manages SAP S/4HANA tax-related changes and integrations with Vertex systems.

• It likely involves collaboration with various IT teams (Enterprise Architecture, other module specialists) and business units, particularly the Office of Tax Council (OTC).

Methodology:

• Focus on developing and supporting cloud-based solutions that meet both business needs and technical standards.

• Emphasis on documenting requirements (BRD/FSD) and creating functional specifications for technical teams.

• Rigorous testing methodologies, including regression testing, to ensure system stability.

• Proactive relationship building with global and local stakeholders.

• Commitment to continuous improvement in application development, deployment, and testing standards.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's culture is characterized by a commitment to innovation, a strong engineering heritage, and a focus on future mobility. The Enterprise Technology division is central to this transformation. As a large global company, expect structured processes, a focus on compliance, and opportunities for career development within a robust corporate framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Functional Product Designer, indicating an experienced individual contributor level. It requires a blend of deep functional expertise in SAP and tax integration, along with product design and stakeholder management skills. It sits within the IT/Technology function, supporting critical financial operations.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Product Manager or IT Manager within the IERP Tax Product Team. Day-to-day collaboration will be with business stakeholders (Office of Tax Council), technical teams, and potentially other functional consultants.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts Ford's global financial operations by ensuring accurate and compliant tax determination and reporting. Successful integration and configuration of SAP S/4HANA and Vertex are critical for revenue recognition, tax liability management, and avoiding financial penalties or audit issues. The efficiency and accuracy of these systems are foundational to sound financial governance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in SAP S/4HANA tax modules, Vertex integrations, or other specialized tax technologies.

• Leadership: Transition into a Product Manager role, leading a specific product area or team.

• Cross-functional Movement: Explore roles in broader SAP functional areas (MM, FICO, SD), Enterprise Architecture, or IT Project Management.

• Global Exposure: Gain experience working on international tax regulations and system implementations across Ford's global operations.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to pursue certifications in SAP S/4HANA, tax technology, or project management methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's size and global reach provide substantial avenues for career growth. This role is a solid foundation for specializing in enterprise financial systems and tax compliance, offering a clear path towards more senior functional, technical, or management positions within IT or finance operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. Employees are expected to work from the Dearborn, MI office four or more days per week. This indicates a collaborative office environment with dedicated workspace for team members.

Office Location(s): Dearborn, Michigan. This is a primary hub for Ford Motor Company, suggesting a well-equipped corporate campus with extensive facilities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The hybrid model and the nature of the role necessitate significant collaboration, both in-person and virtually, with business users, IT teams, and potentially external vendors.

• Tools & Technology: Access to SAP S/4HANA environments, Vertex integration platforms, collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Jira), and standard office productivity software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with experienced SAP consultants, tax experts, and IT professionals, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with the expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and production support needs. The 40-hour work week is typical, but occasional overtime may be required during critical project phases or support escalations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid setup at a major corporate hub like Dearborn suggests a structured yet flexible work environment. Expect a professional atmosphere focused on productivity, collaboration, and adherence to corporate standards, with opportunities for both independent work and team-based problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and logistical details.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about experience, technical skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. Expect questions on SAP configuration, tax integration, and problem-solving approaches.

• Technical/Functional Interview(s): Panel interview with team members and subject matter experts. This may include scenario-based questions, discussions of past projects, and detailed exploration of SAP S/4HANA and Vertex knowledge.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a past project or solve a hypothetical tax integration challenge, demonstrating their analytical, design, and communication skills. Focus on process optimization and ROI.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term career aspirations within Ford.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight SAP S/4HANA & Vertex: Showcase specific configurations, integration points, and solutions you've designed or implemented for tax using these systems.

• Document Requirements & Design: Present examples of BRDs and FSDs you've authored, emphasizing clarity, completeness, and how they translated business needs into functional designs.

• Showcase Process Improvement: Detail specific instances where you improved tax processes, reduced errors, ensured compliance, or streamlined workflows. Quantify impact with metrics (e.g., reduced processing time, improved accuracy rate, cost savings).

• Data Lineage & Compliance: Include examples demonstrating your understanding of data flow and how you've ensured SOX compliance and application security within your projects.

• Problem-Solving: Be prepared to discuss complex tax scenarios you've encountered and how you approached troubleshooting and resolving them.

Challenge Preparation:

• SAP MM/FICO & Tax Logic: Review core SAP MM/FICO functionalities relevant to tax postings, vendor invoices, and financial reporting. Brush up on tax determination logic and common tax codes.

• Vertex Integration: Understand the typical integration points and data exchange mechanisms between SAP and Vertex.

• BRD/FSD Structure: Practice outlining a BRD and FSD for a common tax-related business requirement.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare examples of how you've managed conflicting requirements or communicated technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process for a role like this at Ford will likely be thorough, assessing both technical depth and business acumen. A well-curated portfolio that clearly articulates your contributions to SAP S/4HANA tax integration projects, with a focus on process documentation and measurable outcomes, will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SAP S/4HANA: Core ERP system. Expertise in configuration and customization of MM and FICO modules is essential.

• Vertex Tax Solutions: Vertex-On-Demand (VoD) and Vertex TPE (Tax Performance Engine) for tax determination and reporting. Understanding of their integration with SAP is critical.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Excel (advanced for data analysis and reporting), Word (for documentation), PowerPoint (for presentations).

Analytics & Reporting:

• SAP Reporting Tools: Standard SAP reporting capabilities and potentially SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) for advanced analytics and dashboards.

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in extracting and analyzing data from SAP for troubleshooting, testing, and process improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• SAP Integration Technologies: Understanding of interfaces, APIs, and middleware used for connecting SAP with external systems like Vertex.

• Workflow Tools: Potentially using SAP workflow capabilities or other process management tools for automating tax-related tasks.

• Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance Tools: Familiarity with tools or processes used for maintaining audit trails, segregation of duties, and access controls within SAP.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with SAP S/4HANA is paramount. A strong understanding of how it integrates with specialized tax engines like Vertex is a key differentiator. Experience with data analysis and reporting within the SAP ecosystem, alongside an awareness of compliance tools, will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Driving forward with new technologies and solutions to transform mobility.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards, including robust compliance with regulations like SOX.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse global teams and functions to achieve common goals.

• Customer Focus: Ensuring that technology solutions meet the needs of both internal business users and external customers.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality in design, implementation, and support of enterprise systems.

• Efficiency: Continuously improving processes and systems to optimize performance and reduce costs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with SAP functional consultants (MM, FICO, SD), tax experts from the Office of Tax Council, Enterprise Architects, and potentially external implementation partners.

• Process Review: A culture that encourages review and optimization of workflows, with feedback loops to ensure continuous improvement in tax processes and system configurations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Emphasis on sharing best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise within the team and across relevant departments to foster a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's culture likely emphasizes a balance between rigorous engineering discipline, a forward-looking approach to innovation, and a strong commitment to ethical conduct and compliance. The operations and IT teams will reflect this, valuing collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Global Tax Regulations: Navigating and implementing systems that comply with diverse and ever-changing tax laws across multiple jurisdictions.

• Integration Complexity: Ensuring seamless, real-time data flow and accuracy between SAP S/4HANA and Vertex, especially with complex transaction volumes.

• Legacy System Transition: Potentially dealing with aspects of migrating from older SAP ECC systems or other financial platforms to S/4HANA.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Balancing the needs and priorities of various global business units and the Office of Tax Council.

• Maintaining SOX Compliance: Continuous vigilance and adherence to stringent controls and security protocols within the tax landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• SAP S/4HANA Specialization: Advanced training and certifications in SAP S/4HANA modules, particularly those related to finance and tax.

• Tax Technology Expertise: Deepening knowledge of Vertex solutions and other leading tax software.

• Cloud Computing: Further developing skills in designing and managing cloud-based enterprise solutions.

• Project Management: Opportunities to lead or participate in larger transformation projects.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying abreast of evolving trends in ERP, tax technology, and financial compliance through conferences, webinars, and professional development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in global tax compliance and complex system integration present significant opportunities for professional growth. Ford's commitment to learning and development will provide avenues to master these complexities and advance within specialized IT and finance operations roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex tax scenario you encountered in SAP S/4HANA or an integrated tax system. How did you approach designing a solution, documenting requirements, and ensuring successful implementation?" (Focus on process, documentation, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure that system configurations and integrations remain compliant with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) regulations? Provide an example." (Focus on compliance, security, and auditability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Ford's Enterprise Technology strategy and its role in transforming mobility?" (Research Ford's recent tech initiatives and future vision.)

• "How would you contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within the IERP Tax Product Team?" (Relate to your experience with process optimization and innovation.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly outlining the business problem, your role, the solution designed/implemented (highlighting SAP S/4HANA and Vertex), the process documentation (BRD/FSD examples), and the achieved results (quantify impact on efficiency, accuracy, or compliance).

• Metrics: Be prepared to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to tax operations, such as tax accuracy rates, processing times, audit resolution times, and compliance adherence.

• Visuals: Use diagrams where appropriate to illustrate system architecture, data flows, or process workflows.

• Storytelling: Frame your contributions as solutions to business challenges, emphasizing your analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss specific technical configurations within SAP S/4HANA (MM/FICO) and how they interact with external tax engines. Your ability to articulate complex processes, demonstrate a strong understanding of tax compliance, and showcase successful integration projects will be key to impressing the interviewers.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this SAP S/4HANA Tax Integration Functional Product Designer position at Ford:

• Submit your application through the official Ford careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with SAP S/4HANA (MM/FICO), Vertex integrations, BRD/FSD creation, tax determination, and SOX compliance. Use keywords identified in this job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Assemble a portfolio that showcases your relevant projects. Include examples of system designs, process documentation (BRD/FSD samples), and case studies demonstrating successful SAP-Vertex integrations and tax process improvements. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Research Ford: Understand Ford's current initiatives in Enterprise Technology, mobility, and their commitment to innovation and compliance.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common and scenario-based interview questions, focusing on your technical expertise, problem-solving approach, and collaboration skills. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.