SAP S/4 MM - Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SAP S/4 MM - Product Designer

Company: Ford

Location: Dearborn, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Enterprise Technology / SAP Solutions Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-07T22:50:21

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site 4+ days per week in a Ford hub location)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and oversee the technical implementation of SAP S/4 HANA solutions for direct material sourcing within the Request to Order (RTO) product line.

• Drive continuous improvement and simplification of the SAP technical landscape by leveraging new SAP technologies and best practices.

• Ensure seamless integration of SAP S/4 HANA with other enterprise systems, including non-SAP and cloud platforms, through robust API frameworks.

• Act as a technical authority, guiding software product teams to deliver distinctive and high-quality products aligned with enterprise architecture standards and business requirements.

• Guarantee adherence to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and enhance internal controls within the SAP technical environment to mitigate risks and ensure successful product roadmap delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the technical design and strategic implementation of SAP S/4 HANA for a critical supply chain function (direct material sourcing). It requires a blend of deep SAP MM expertise, an understanding of broader supply chain processes, and the ability to architect integrated solutions within a large enterprise. The "Product Designer" title implies a focus on the end-to-end solution architecture and user experience from a technical perspective, rather than just configuration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design and architecture for SAP S/4 HANA solutions specifically for the Request To Order (RTO) Product Line, focusing on direct material sourcing processes.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Product Owners, and Enterprise Architecture to define technical roadmaps, oversee end-to-end solution delivery, and manage system upgrades and enhancements.

• Guide the technical implementation of integrations between SAP S/4 HANA and other enterprise systems (e.g., non-SAP, cloud platforms) utilizing various technologies and API frameworks.

• Proactively identify and champion opportunities to adopt new SAP technologies and functionalities to improve business processes, enhance system capabilities, and drive simplification.

• Ensure the overall quality and integrity of the SAP S/4 HANA solutions within the portfolio, meeting both business needs and technical standards.

• Uphold and enhance SOX compliance within the SAP environment, ensuring all technical designs and implementations adhere to regulatory requirements and internal controls.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks associated with SAP implementations and integrations, ensuring the timely and successful delivery of product roadmaps.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the SAP technical landscape and development processes, fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize technical leadership in solution design, integration, and compliance for a specific SAP module (MM) within a defined product line (RTO). The role requires proactive identification of technological advancements and a strong focus on quality and risk management, typical of senior technical roles within large enterprise IT.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain, or a related technical field. Experience:

• Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience implementing SAP S/4 HANA Materials Management (MM) within a large enterprise organization.

• Proven professional experience in Direct Material Sourcing and Procurement within a complex Supply Chain organization or a large-scale SAP implementation.

• A deep understanding of the interdependencies between Supply Chain (Sourcing, Procurement, Logistics) and Finance/Corporate Accounting functions within an enterprise value stream.

• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive IT experience, with a strong emphasis on leveraging Agile methodologies in software development and product delivery. Required Skills:

• SAP S/4 HANA (MM): Expert-level knowledge of SAP S/4 HANA Materials Management modules, including functionalities related to direct material sourcing, procurement, inventory management, and supplier collaboration.

• Technical Design & Architecture: Proven ability to design robust, scalable, and compliant technical solutions for complex SAP environments.

• Agile Methodologies: Extensive experience working within Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) and collaborating effectively with cross-functional product teams.

• System Integration: Demonstrated experience integrating complex Software as a Service (SaaS) products with internally developed legacy systems, utilizing various integration patterns and API frameworks.

• Supply Chain & Procurement: Deep understanding of direct material sourcing, procurement processes, logistics, and their integration points within SAP and broader enterprise systems.

• SOX Compliance: Familiarity with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance requirements and experience implementing and maintaining controls within SAP systems.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively collaborate with product managers, product owners, engineers, designers, and business partners to deliver product roadmap milestones.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Automotive Industry: Experience working within the automotive sector or a similar complex manufacturing environment.

• Platform Engineering: Experience building and scaling platforms and underlying services for re-use across an organization.

• Global Team Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with distributed, global teams.

• External Vendor Management: Experience working with outside service providers and managing vendor relationships.

• Sarbanes-Oxley (S-OX) Environment: Specific experience operating within a highly regulated Sarbanes-Oxley (S-OX) compliant environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for deep SAP S/4 HANA MM expertise combined with practical experience in direct material sourcing and Agile delivery. The preferred skills point towards a candidate who can contribute to platform strategies and navigate complex, regulated environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• SAP S/4 HANA MM Solution Designs: Showcase detailed technical designs for SAP MM modules, particularly those related to direct material sourcing, procurement workflows, and inventory management. Include architectural diagrams and data flow explanations.

• Integration Architectures: Provide examples of how SAP S/4 HANA has been integrated with other enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, cloud platforms, SaaS) using APIs or middleware, demonstrating an understanding of integration patterns and data synchronization strategies.

• Process Optimization Case Studies: Present documented case studies detailing how you identified inefficiencies in existing SAP or supply chain processes and designed or implemented solutions to improve them, focusing on metrics like cost reduction, lead time improvement, or compliance adherence.

• Agile Project Delivery Examples: Illustrate your role in delivering SAP or IT projects using Agile methodologies, showcasing contributions to sprints, backlog refinement, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and documenting optimized business workflows within SAP S/4 HANA, focusing on streamlining direct material sourcing, purchase order processing, and goods receipt.

• System Implementation & Automation: Demonstrate experience in the implementation phases of SAP projects, including configuration, testing, and the application of automation tools or techniques to enhance efficiency.

• Performance Analysis & Measurement: Provide examples of how you have defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for SAP MM processes and utilized data to measure performance, identify bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio should emphasize architectural thinking, integration capabilities, and proven impact on process efficiency and compliance. Case studies demonstrating problem-solving within the direct material sourcing domain using SAP S/4 HANA are critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

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

• Note: The final salary grade (7-8) and base salary will be determined based on the candidate's specific skills, experience, job scope, responsibility, and competitive market value.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.

• Family Support: Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare, and family-building benefits (adoption/surrogacy reimbursement, fertility treatments).

• Employee Perks: Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.

• Professional Development: Tuition assistance for continued learning and skill enhancement.

• Community & Inclusion: Established and active employee resource groups (ERGs) fostering a sense of belonging and support.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off for community service, a generous schedule of paid holidays (including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day), and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

Working Hours:

• Standard Full-Time (approximately 40 hours per week).

• This position is hybrid, requiring candidates to be onsite at a Ford hub location four or more days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, indicating that compensation is highly dependent on the candidate's experience and alignment with the specific requirements of the role and Ford's internal grading system. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Mobility Solutions

Ford Motor Company is a global leader in the automotive industry, with a rich history of innovation and a forward-looking vision for mobility. The company is actively transforming to meet the evolving demands of the transportation landscape, focusing on connected vehicles, electrification, and advanced digital experiences. This context means operations and technology teams are crucial in driving these transformations.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (likely 100,000+ employees globally)

As a Fortune 500 company with a vast global footprint, Ford offers opportunities for significant impact and career growth. For operations professionals, this scale means exposure to complex, high-volume processes, robust IT infrastructures, and the chance to influence global standards.

Founded: 1903

Founded by Henry Ford, the company has a legacy of pioneering mass production and continues to innovate. This long history suggests a culture that values both tradition and progress, with established processes and a drive for continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• Enterprise Technology: This role sits within the Enterprise Technology division, which is responsible for all IT operations, digital transformation, and technology strategy at Ford.

• Integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Portfolio: The specific team is part of the ERP portfolio, focusing on core business systems.

• Request to Order (RTO) Product Line: The role is dedicated to the RTO product line, specifically supporting direct material sourcing, which is a critical component of the manufacturing supply chain.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Product Designer will work closely with Product Managers, Product Owners, Enterprise Architecture, software product teams, engineers, and designers.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team operates using Agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, collaboration, and rapid response to changing business needs.

• Technical Design & Architecture: A strong focus on designing robust, scalable, and compliant technical solutions.

• Continuous Improvement: Proactive identification and leveraging of new technologies to enhance business processes and system capabilities.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Implicit in the role's focus on quality, compliance, and optimization, driving decisions through data analysis and performance metrics.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's position as a legacy automotive giant undergoing digital transformation is key. The role is deeply embedded in core business processes (ERP, Supply Chain) and requires navigating a large, complex, and hybrid work environment while adhering to strict compliance standards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Technical Contributor / Architect

This role sits at a senior level, requiring deep technical expertise in a specific, critical area (SAP S/4 HANA MM) and the ability to influence technical direction. It's beyond a standard implementation consultant role and leans towards solution architecture and product ownership from a technical design perspective.

Reporting Structure:

The Product Designer will report into a leadership role within the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) portfolio, likely a Product Manager, Product Owner, or an IT Manager overseeing the RTO product line's technical aspects. They will collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams and potentially lead technical design efforts for specific projects or features.

Operations Impact:

The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and compliance of Ford's direct material sourcing operations. Effective SAP S/4 HANA solutions are fundamental to managing supply chain costs, ensuring timely production, and maintaining regulatory adherence, all of which are critical to Ford's profitability and operational success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization Path: Deepen expertise in SAP S/4 HANA, potentially expanding to other related modules or advanced SAP technologies (e.g., SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP BTP).

• Solution Architecture Leadership: Progress into roles with broader architectural responsibilities across the ERP landscape or other enterprise technology domains.

• Product Management/Ownership: Transition to roles focused on defining product strategy and roadmaps, leveraging deep technical understanding.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead major SAP transformation initiatives or integration projects, managing larger teams and stakeholders.

• Industry Expertise Development: Further develop expertise in the automotive supply chain, contributing to Ford's strategic initiatives in areas like electrification and sustainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for technical growth within SAP and enterprise architecture, as well as potential pivots into product management or broader IT leadership within a globally recognized company. The impact is directly tied to core operational efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model

This position is designated as hybrid, meaning employees are expected to work from a Ford hub location for a significant portion of the week (four or more days per week). This indicates a collaborative office environment designed to foster in-person teamwork, brainstorming, and mentorship, while still allowing for some flexibility.

Office Location(s): Dearborn, Michigan (Primary Hub)

The role is based in Dearborn, Michigan, home to Ford's global headquarters and significant research and development facilities. This location offers access to a large professional network and resources within the automotive industry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Ford's hub locations are likely equipped with various collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and open work areas designed to facilitate interaction among product teams, architects, and business stakeholders.

• Technology & Tools: Employees will have access to Ford's standard IT infrastructure, including high-performance computing, necessary software licenses, and communication tools for seamless collaboration, especially with remote or global team members.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model necessitates active engagement during onsite days, fostering strong working relationships with colleagues, product owners, and potentially business unit representatives involved in direct material sourcing.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, typically adhering to standard business hours. The hybrid structure requires flexibility to be present in the office on designated days, supporting the team's collaborative needs and project cadence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be prepared for a significant on-site presence, emphasizing collaboration and team integration within Ford's structured corporate environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with minimum and preferred qualifications, with a focus on SAP S/4 HANA MM experience and supply chain background.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on your SAP S/4 HANA MM expertise, technical design capabilities, integration experience, and understanding of direct material sourcing processes. Expect scenario-based questions and problem-solving exercises.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present selected projects from your portfolio, demonstrating your technical design approach, problem-solving skills, and impact on business outcomes.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of your collaboration style, communication skills, ability to work in an Agile environment, and alignment with Ford's values (e.g., empathy, consensus-building).

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 impactful projects that best showcase your SAP S/4 HANA MM technical design, integration, and process optimization skills, specifically relevant to direct material sourcing.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly define the business problem, your role and responsibilities, the technical solution designed, the integration challenges overcome, the Agile process followed, and the measurable business impact (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains, compliance improvements).

• Focus on "Why" and "How": Explain not just what you did, but why you made specific technical decisions and how your design addressed business needs and mitigated risks.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize your interactions with product managers, architects, and development teams, showcasing your ability to translate requirements into technical designs and guide implementation.

• Quantify Results: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the tangible value of your work. For example, "Reduced PO processing time by 15%," or "Ensured 100% SOX compliance for new procurement workflows."

Challenge Preparation:

• SAP MM Scenario: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to direct material sourcing challenges within SAP S/4 HANA. Think about common issues like supplier onboarding, purchase order exceptions, inventory discrepancies, and master data management.

• Integration Design: Practice designing integration solutions between SAP and non-SAP systems, considering data mapping, error handling, and API usage.

• Agile Problem Solving: Consider how you would approach a new requirement or a critical bug within an Agile sprint, focusing on impact assessment and collaborative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely multi-stage, with a strong emphasis on practical experience and the ability to articulate technical solutions and their business impact. A well-prepared portfolio is essential for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SAP S/4 HANA (MM): The core ERP system where your design expertise will be applied. Deep functional and technical knowledge is paramount.

• SAP MM Modules: Specific expertise in Procurement (PO management, sourcing, MRP), Inventory Management, and potentially integration with modules like SD, FI, CO, and PP.

• API Frameworks & Integration Tools: Experience with technologies enabling integration with other systems, such as RESTful APIs, SOAP, OData, and potentially middleware platforms like SAP Integration Suite or other enterprise integration solutions.

• Agile Project Management Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms used for backlog management, sprint planning, and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• SAP Reporting Tools: Familiarity with SAP's internal reporting capabilities, including SAP Query, ABAP reports, and potentially tools for data extraction.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Experience with BI platforms for data analysis and visualization (e.g., SAP Analytics Cloud, Tableau, Power BI) to understand system performance and business impact.

• SOX Compliance Tools/Processes: Understanding of tools or systems used to manage and audit compliance controls.

CRM & Automation:

• Enterprise Systems Integration: Understanding of how SAP MM integrates with other core enterprise systems.

• Process Automation: Awareness of opportunities for automation within procurement and sourcing processes, potentially leveraging SAP's automation capabilities or third-party tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus is on SAP S/4 HANA MM. However, understanding how this module integrates with other enterprise systems and leveraging data for analysis and compliance are crucial. Experience with Agile tools is also a requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Transformation: A drive to transform the future of mobility, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and approaches to improve processes and products.

• Customer Focus: While this role is internal-facing, the ultimate goal is to support business processes that enhance the experience for Ford's customers, directly or indirectly.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across diverse teams and functions to achieve common goals, fostering a consensus-building mindset.

• Integrity & Compliance: A strong commitment to ethical conduct, adherence to regulations (like SOX), and maintaining high standards in all operations.

• Respect & Empathy: Valuing diverse perspectives, showing empathy towards team members and business partners, and fostering an inclusive environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with product managers, architects, engineers, and business stakeholders to ensure technical designs meet business needs and are implementable.

• Agile Collaboration: Working within Agile teams means frequent communication, shared ownership, and iterative feedback loops.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating technical concepts and design decisions to various levels of stakeholders, including those without deep technical backgrounds.

• Process Review & Improvement: A culture that encourages the review of existing processes and the proactive proposal of improvements through technology and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford emphasizes a culture of innovation within a structured environment, with a strong focus on collaboration, integrity, and respect. Operations professionals are expected to be proactive problem-solvers who can work effectively in cross-functional teams and adhere to corporate standards.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Global Systems: Navigating and designing solutions within a large, complex, and globally distributed SAP S/4 HANA landscape at Ford.

• Integration with Legacy Systems: Ensuring seamless and reliable integration between modern SAP S/4 HANA and older, legacy enterprise systems.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Championing and effectively implementing new SAP features or technologies in a large, established organization with diverse stakeholder needs.

• Balancing Technical Debt and Innovation: Managing existing technical challenges while pushing for innovative solutions that align with future mobility goals.

• Hybrid Work Model Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and driving technical design decisions in a hybrid environment that requires significant on-site presence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• SAP S/4 HANA Expertise: Opportunity to deepen expertise in SAP S/4 HANA, potentially gaining certifications or specialized knowledge in advanced modules or configurations relevant to supply chain.

• Enterprise Architecture Skills: Develop skills in enterprise-level solution architecture, understanding how various systems interact and contribute to business strategy.

• Supply Chain Transformation: Gain deep insights into the complexities of automotive supply chain operations and contribute to Ford's transformation initiatives.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead technical aspects of major projects, influencing strategy and collaborating with diverse teams.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to industry events and training programs focused on SAP, supply chain, and digital transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in large, transforming enterprises, focusing on complexity, integration, and change management. Growth opportunities are strong, particularly for those seeking to become deep SAP experts or broader enterprise architects within the automotive sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex SAP S/4 HANA MM technical design you architected for a direct material sourcing process. What were the key challenges, how did you address them, and what was the business impact?" (Focus on problem-solving, technical depth, and quantifiable results.)

• "How would you approach integrating SAP S/4 HANA MM with a new SaaS procurement platform? Discuss your considerations for data mapping, APIs, and error handling." (Assess integration strategy and technical foresight.)

• "Walk me through your experience using Agile methodologies to deliver SAP solutions. How do you collaborate with product owners and development teams to ensure technical designs are effectively implemented?" (Evaluate Agile proficiency and collaboration skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Ford's transformation towards future mobility? How do you see SAP S/4 HANA playing a role in this?" (Demonstrate company research and strategic thinking.)

• "This role requires significant collaboration in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective communication and teamwork when working both on-site and potentially with remote colleagues?" (Assess communication and collaboration in a hybrid setting.)

• "How do you ensure SOX compliance in your technical designs for procurement systems?" (Test understanding of critical compliance requirements.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• STAR Method: Structure your portfolio presentations using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) method to clearly articulate your contributions and impact.

• Visual Aids: Use architectural diagrams, workflow charts, and screenshots (if permissible) to illustrate your technical designs and solutions.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state the measurable outcomes – e.g., percentage reduction in cycle time, cost savings achieved, improvement in data accuracy, or successful compliance audit.

• Focus on Design Choices: Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your technical decisions, trade-offs considered, and how your design aligned with enterprise architecture principles and business goals.

• Tailor to Ford: Briefly mention how your experience and approach could benefit Ford's specific challenges in direct material sourcing and SAP transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating deep SAP S/4 HANA MM expertise, strong technical design and integration skills, a solid understanding of supply chain processes, and the ability to thrive in an Agile, hybrid, and compliance-driven environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific SAP S/4 HANA MM implementation experience, direct material sourcing projects, Agile methodology usage, and any experience with SaaS integration or SOX compliance. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your technical design skills, integration capabilities, and impact on process efficiency within the direct material sourcing domain. Be ready to present these using the STAR method, focusing on quantifiable results.

• Research Ford's Transformation: Understand Ford's strategic initiatives in mobility, electrification, and digital transformation. Consider how SAP S/4 HANA supports these goals.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare answers for technical, behavioral, and situational questions, particularly those related to SAP MM, technical design, Agile collaboration, and working in a hybrid 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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