SAP S/4HANA Tax Integration Functional Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: Ford Motor Company

Location: Dearborn, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Revenue Operations / Finance Operations / IT Operations

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office expected)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement functional solutions for SAP S/4HANA tax integration with Vertex tax engines (Vertex-On-Demand and Vertex TPE).

• Manage and support tax-related changes, major releases, and production support activities within the SAP S/4HANA environment.

• Collaborate with the Office of Tax Council (OTC) and other tax system experts to ensure accurate global tax determination and reporting.

• Drive process improvements and system enhancements for tax functionalities, contributing to efficient financial operations.

• Leverage strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex tax integration challenges in a global automotive manufacturing context.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Enterprise Technology at Ford Motor Company, indicating a strong focus on IT operations and the integration of financial systems. The "Functional Product Designer" title suggests a hands-on role in defining and configuring system solutions, rather than pure strategic planning or pure development. The emphasis on tax integration with specific Vertex products and SAP S/4HANA points towards a specialized finance operations or revenue operations function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and test SAP S/4HANA functionalities related to tax determination and reporting, ensuring alignment with business requirements.

• Develop and maintain detailed functional specifications, business requirements documents (BRDs), and test scripts for SAP tax integration projects.

• Manage the integration points between SAP S/4HANA and Vertex tax solutions (Vertex-On-Demand, Vertex TPE), troubleshooting any interface or data flow issues.

• Provide expert-level production support for tax-related modules and integrations, addressing change requests, incidents, and system defects in a timely manner.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including the Office of Tax Council (OTC), IT, and business stakeholders, to gather requirements, define solutions, and ensure successful project implementations and upgrades.

• Analyze business processes and identify opportunities for optimization and automation within the SAP tax landscape, driving efficiency and accuracy.

• Support global tax compliance by ensuring SAP S/4HANA and Vertex configurations accurately reflect varying international tax regulations.

• Participate in system upgrades and implementations, including SAP S/4HANA conversion projects, ensuring seamless tax functionality.

• Document system configurations, processes, and integration flows for knowledge transfer and future reference.

• Stay abreast of SAP S/4HANA updates, Vertex product enhancements, and evolving tax regulations to recommend and implement proactive solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of system configuration, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration, typical for a functional consultant or product owner role within an ERP context. The mention of "major releases, maintenance activities, and other technical upgrades" alongside "production support" and "change requests" indicates a role that balances project work with ongoing operational support, common in established enterprise IT environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in SAP configuration and support, with a strong focus on SAP S/4HANA or SAP ECC.

Required Skills:

• Deep functional expertise in SAP S/4HANA, with specific knowledge of tax-related processes and configuration.

• Hands-on experience with SAP MM (Materials Management) and/or FICO (Finance and Controlling) modules, especially as they relate to tax determination.

• Proficiency in integrating SAP systems with third-party tax solutions, specifically Vertex-On-Demand (VoD) and Vertex Tax Performance Enhancer (TPE).

• Ability to translate complex business requirements into detailed functional specifications and system configurations.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical and functional issues.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with technical teams, business users, and tax experts globally.

• Experience in documenting business processes, system configurations, and integration designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with SAP S/4HANA Finance capabilities.

• Knowledge of broader SAP tax solutions or other tax compliance software.

• Understanding of global indirect tax regulations (e.g., VAT, GST, Sales Tax).

• Experience in the automotive industry.

• Certification in SAP S/4HANA or relevant tax technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of SAP experience, with a specific emphasis on S/4HANA and Vertex integration, aligns with a mid-to-senior level functional role. The combination of MM and FICO knowledge is crucial for understanding the end-to-end financial flow where tax is applied. The "Functional Product Designer" title implies a need for both configuration proficiency and an understanding of how the system functions as a "product" for the business.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of SAP S/4HANA configuration for tax-relevant processes, showcasing your ability to translate requirements into functional solutions.

• Case studies detailing successful integration projects between SAP and external tax engines like Vertex, highlighting challenges overcome and outcomes achieved.

• Examples of functional specifications and business requirements documents (BRDs) you have authored for tax-related system changes or enhancements.

• Documentation illustrating your approach to system testing, including test scripts and defect resolution strategies for tax functionalities.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow designs and process maps illustrating the flow of transactions from SAP to Vertex for tax determination and back for posting.

• Documentation on how you have optimized tax-related business processes within SAP S/4HANA, focusing on efficiency and accuracy improvements.

• Records of system integration management, detailing how interfaces between SAP and Vertex were designed, implemented, and maintained.

• Examples of how you have documented system changes, including impact assessments and release notes for tax functionalities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Functional Product Designer" role focused on SAP S/4HANA and tax integration, a portfolio should showcase not just technical skills but the ability to design and document complete functional solutions. This includes evidence of requirements gathering, solution design (functional specs), configuration, testing, and ongoing support. Demonstrating understanding of the integration between SAP and Vertex is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $99,600 - $192,900 USD per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• Prescription Drug Coverage.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation time and paid holidays.

• Paid time off for community service initiatives.

• Paid parental leave and flexible family care days.

• Subsidized back-up childcare services.

• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.

• Support for fertility treatments.

• Vehicle discount program for employees.

• Tuition assistance for continued education and professional development.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week.

• Flexibility may be available, but the role requires significant in-office presence (4 days/week) to facilitate collaboration and project work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is based on AI analysis of similar roles in the US and specifically for a company of Ford's size and industry. It reflects the typical compensation for a mid-to-senior level SAP functional consultant with specialized tax integration experience in a major metropolitan area like Dearborn, MI. The benefits package is extensive, reflecting Ford's commitment to employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing; Technology & Mobility Solutions. Ford Motor Company is a global leader in the automotive industry, actively transforming to embrace new mobility solutions, electrification, and advanced digital technologies. This provides a dynamic environment where IT plays a crucial role in innovation and operational excellence.

Company Size: Ford Motor Company is a large, publicly traded corporation with tens of thousands of employees globally, indicating a complex organizational structure, extensive resources, and a structured approach to IT operations and project management.

Founded: Founded in 1903, Ford has a long and rich history, evolving from a pioneering automobile manufacturer to a forward-thinking mobility company. This legacy of innovation and adaptation is likely reflected in its company culture, encouraging continuous improvement and strategic technological adoption.

Team Structure:

• The IERP Tax Product Team is part of Ford's broader Enterprise Technology division. This team likely consists of SAP functional experts, integration specialists, and potentially business analysts focused specifically on tax-related functionalities.

• The team operates within a hierarchical structure common in large enterprises, with clear reporting lines to IT management.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: The team leverages SAP and Vertex data to analyze tax compliance, identify trends, and support strategic decisions related to tax processing and reporting.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Focus on designing, documenting, and refining end-to-end tax processes within SAP S/4HANA and its integrations to maximize efficiency and accuracy.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Implementing and maintaining automated tax determination and reporting processes to reduce manual effort and minimize errors.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's position as a legacy automotive giant undergoing technological transformation means the IT department, including this role, is pivotal. The culture likely balances established corporate processes with a drive for innovation, especially in areas like mobility and digital integration. The "Product Designer" title suggests an emphasis on creating robust, user-friendly system solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level "Functional Product Designer" within the Enterprise Technology division, specifically focused on SAP S/4HANA tax integration. It requires a blend of deep technical configuration skills in SAP, specific expertise in tax engines, and strong business acumen to translate complex tax requirements into functional designs. The responsibilities involve both project-based work (major releases, new projects) and ongoing operational support (production support, change requests), indicating a comprehensive role within the IT operations lifecycle.

Reporting Structure: The SAP S/4HANA Tax Integration Functional Product Designer will likely report to an IT Manager or Director within the IERP Tax Product Team or a broader SAP Functional Management group. This role will involve close collaboration with tax subject matter experts (Office of Tax Council), other SAP functional consultants (FI/CO, MM, SD), technical developers (ABAP), and potentially business process owners across finance and supply chain.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on Ford's financial operations and global compliance. Accurate tax determination and reporting are critical for legal compliance, financial statement accuracy, and operational efficiency. By ensuring seamless integration between SAP S/4HANA and Vertex tax solutions, the Functional Product Designer contributes to:

• Revenue Assurance: Correctly applying sales taxes and VAT on transactions.

• Cost Management: Accurate application of use taxes and other indirect costs.

• Compliance: Meeting global tax regulations and avoiding penalties.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlining tax processes, reducing manual interventions, and improving data integrity.

• Strategic Decision Making: Providing reliable tax data for financial planning and analysis.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in SAP S/4HANA tax functionalities and advanced Vertex capabilities, potentially becoming a lead subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain exposure to other SAP modules (FI, CO, MM, SD) and related enterprise systems, broadening functional knowledge.

• Project Leadership: Progress to leading smaller projects or taking on more complex modules within larger SAP S/4HANA transformation initiatives.

• Management Track: Potential to move into a team lead or management role within the IERP Tax Product Team or Enterprise Technology organization, overseeing functional consultants and projects.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in tax technology and its application within the global automotive industry, a valuable niche.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Functional Product Designer" title suggests a role focused on building and refining a specific "product" (the tax integration solution) within the larger SAP ecosystem. This implies opportunities for deep system ownership and continuous improvement, leading to growth in specialized functional areas or potentially into product management within IT.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning a significant portion of the work will be performed at Ford's corporate facilities, likely at their headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. The office environment is expected to be professional and collaborative, designed to support team interaction, project meetings, and hands-on system work. Ford's corporate offices typically offer modern amenities and resources to support employee productivity.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Dearborn, Michigan, specifically at the 15575 Lundy Pkwy address. This location serves as a major hub for Ford's operations and technology development.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The expectation of 4 days in the office per week emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration. This facilitates seamless communication with co-workers on the IERP Tax Product Team, tax subject matter experts from the Office of Tax Council, and other IT or business stakeholders.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Employees will have access to Ford's standard IT infrastructure, including powerful workstations, SAP environments, secure network access, and collaboration tools. The role requires proficiency with SAP S/4HANA and Vertex systems, which will be accessible via the company's network.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for both focused individual work and regular team interactions. Opportunities will exist for brainstorming sessions, design reviews, problem-solving huddles, and knowledge sharing with colleagues who are experts in various aspects of Ford's SAP landscape.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. While there's an expectation of 4 days in the office, the nature of IT operations and project deadlines might occasionally require flexibility in working hours to meet critical business needs, especially during release cutovers or urgent production support situations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4 days in office" hybrid expectation is a key detail. For a role involving complex system integration and collaboration with distinct teams like OTC (tax experts), this suggests a need for consistent in-person interaction to facilitate detailed discussions and rapid problem-solving that might be less efficient remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your resume and any requested supporting documents through Ford's Oracle Cloud careers portal.

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application for basic qualifications.

• Technical/Functional Interview(s): Expect one or more interviews focusing on your SAP S/4HANA functional knowledge, experience with tax integration (especially Vertex), and problem-solving abilities. You may be asked to walk through specific scenarios or projects from your experience.

• Portfolio Review (Optional but Recommended): Be prepared to discuss relevant projects from your portfolio, highlighting your design approach, configuration skills, and the impact of your work.

• Behavioral Interview: Assess your fit with Ford's culture, your collaboration style, and your ability to work in a hybrid environment. Questions may relate to teamwork, communication, and handling challenges.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or key stakeholders from the IERP Tax Product Team or OTC.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or skill area. For this role, prioritize SAP S/4HANA tax integration, Vertex implementations, and significant SAP configuration projects.

• Case Study Focus: For each relevant project, detail the business problem, your specific role and responsibilities (design, configuration, testing, support), the solutions implemented, and the measurable business outcomes (e.g., improved accuracy, reduced processing time, successful compliance).

• Technical Depth: Include screenshots of configurations (redacted for confidentiality), sample functional specifications, and process flows where possible. Clearly articulate the integration points between SAP and Vertex.

• Quantifiable Results: Wherever possible, quantify the impact of your work using metrics related to efficiency, cost savings, error reduction, or compliance adherence.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key aspects of your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant experience for this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• SAP Configuration Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would configure specific tax-related scenarios in SAP S/4HANA.

• Integration Troubleshooting: Prepare to explain how you would diagnose and resolve issues related to data flow or tax calculation errors between SAP and Vertex.

• Business Process Analysis: Practice articulating how you would analyze a business process to identify areas for improvement or configuration changes within the tax domain.

• Stakeholder Management: Think about how you would communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, such as tax experts or finance managers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "Functional Product Designer" implies that candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just their ability to configure systems, but also their thought process in designing and evolving a system solution. The portfolio should reflect this design-oriented approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SAP S/4HANA: Core ERP system. Deep functional configuration and understanding of its tax-related modules and processes are essential.

• Vertex-On-Demand (VoD): Cloud-based tax determination software. Experience with its integration into SAP is critical.

• Vertex Tax Performance Enhancer (TPE): On-premise or cloud tax solution. Proficiency in its configuration and integration with SAP is highly valued.

• SAP MM (Materials Management): For procurement and goods movements, often a key area for indirect tax application.

• SAP FICO (Finance and Controlling): For financial accounting, controlling, and tax reporting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• SAP Reporting Tools: Standard SAP reporting capabilities for transaction data, configuration settings, and error logs.

• Vertex Reporting Tools: Tools within Vertex for tax reporting, audit trails, and analysis.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Potentially used for broader financial reporting and analysis, though not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools like SAP Analytics Cloud or similar is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• SAP Solution Manager (SolMan): Likely used for change management, service desk functions, and potentially test management.

• Workflow Automation: Understanding of SAP workflow capabilities or broader enterprise automation tools that might interact with tax processes.

• Integration Platforms: Experience with SAP's integration technologies (e.g., SAP PI/PO, SAP Cloud Platform Integration) or standard middleware for connecting SAP to Vertex.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is clearly defined by SAP S/4HANA and the Vertex suite. Proficiency in these specific systems, and understanding how they interact, is paramount. Experience with SAP's broader financial modules (FI/CO) and supply chain modules (MM) is necessary to understand the context in which tax is applied.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Transformation: As Ford moves towards future mobility, embracing new technologies and innovative solutions for IT processes is crucial.

• Customer Focus: Ensuring that technology solutions, including tax integrations, ultimately serve the needs of internal business customers (finance, tax, supply chain) and contribute to overall business success.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data from SAP and Vertex to drive insights, optimize processes, and ensure accurate financial reporting.

• Efficiency & Excellence: A commitment to streamlining operations, reducing errors, and achieving high standards in system performance and reliability.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across diverse teams (IT, Tax, Finance) to achieve common goals, especially given the hybrid work model.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role necessitates strong collaboration with the Office of Tax Council (OTC) to ensure tax compliance and with other SAP functional teams (FI/CO, MM) to understand transaction flows.

• Process Review Culture: Openness to discussing and refining existing processes, whether during project implementations or production support, to find optimal solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, configuration knowledge, and lessons learned, especially within the SAP and tax technology domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's culture, particularly within Enterprise Technology, is likely to emphasize a blend of automotive industry tradition with a forward-looking approach to technology. Values around efficiency, data integrity, and cross-functional collaboration are key for a role involving complex financial system integrations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Global Tax Regulations: Keeping SAP and Vertex configurations up-to-date with constantly evolving tax laws across numerous jurisdictions presents an ongoing challenge.

• Integration Maintenance: Ensuring the stability and accuracy of the integration points between SAP S/4HANA and Vertex systems, especially during system upgrades or changes in either platform.

• Balancing Project Work and Support: Managing priorities effectively between implementing new features/releases and addressing critical production support issues.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Garnering consensus and managing expectations across diverse stakeholders, including tax experts, finance professionals, and other IT teams with varying priorities.

• Adapting to SAP S/4HANA Evolution: Staying current with the latest features and best practices of SAP S/4HANA, particularly as it continues to evolve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• SAP S/4HANA Specialization: Opportunity to become a deep expert in SAP S/4HANA's financial and logistics modules as they relate to tax.

• Vertex Product Expertise: Advanced training and certification in Vertex-On-Demand and Vertex TPE functionalities.

• Industry Conferences: Participation in SAP and tax technology conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior IT leaders or tax experts within Ford.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on project leadership roles or contribute to strategic IT initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the intricate and ever-changing landscape of global tax regulations and ensuring the IT systems accurately reflect these. Growth will come from deepening specialized knowledge in SAP tax integration and potentially expanding into broader ERP functional areas or project management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex tax integration challenge you faced between SAP and a third-party tax engine, and how you approached its resolution. What was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving methodology, technical details, and impact.)

• "How would you gather and document business requirements for a new tax-related feature in SAP S/4HANA, considering input from both business users and tax experts?" (Assess requirements gathering process, stakeholder management, and documentation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Ford Motor Company's current technology initiatives, particularly in areas like mobility or digital transformation?" (Show research and interest in the company's direction.)

• "How do you see the 'Functional Product Designer' role contributing to the success of Ford's Enterprise Technology division and the broader company objectives?" (Align your understanding of the role with company goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight Integration: Focus on projects that clearly demonstrate your experience integrating SAP S/4HANA with Vertex or similar tax engines. Use diagrams to illustrate the integration flow.

• Quantify Impact: For each case study, provide specific metrics (e.g., "reduced tax calculation errors by 15%", "streamlined reporting process, saving 10 hours per month").

• Design Thinking: Explain your thought process behind designing the solution, not just the configuration steps. Emphasize how you translated business needs into functional designs.

• Problem/Solution/Outcome: Structure your portfolio examples using this clear narrative format to make them easy to follow and impactful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Product Designer" title, interviewers will likely probe into your ability to not just configure, but to proactively design and improve system solutions. Demonstrating a structured approach to problem-solving and a keen understanding of business needs will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through Ford Motor Company's Oracle Cloud careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with SAP S/4HANA, Vertex-On-Demand, Vertex TPE, and tax integration. Quantify achievements with specific metrics related to efficiency, accuracy, or compliance.

• Prepare your portfolio: Gather examples of functional specifications, configuration screenshots (if permissible), and case studies of successful tax integration projects. Be ready to discuss your role in designing and implementing these solutions.

• Research Ford's IT: Understand Ford's current technology landscape, their focus on mobility and digital transformation, and the role of Enterprise Technology within the company.

• Practice interview questions: Be prepared to discuss your experience with SAP tax functionalities, integration challenges, and your approach to problem-solving and stakeholder communication in a hybrid work environment.

⚠️ 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.

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