Data Platforms Principal Engineer (SAC-Planning) - BI & Reporting

Overview

Waters is seeking a highly experienced SAC-P Administrator & Senior SAC -P Developer to manage and optimize the SAP Analytics Cloud (Planning) platform. This role is responsible for ensuring platform stability, data integrity, performance optimization, and secure access management while supporting enterprise-wide planning processes. The role will also act as a key liaison with SAP and internal stakeholders to drive operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Data Integration & Operations Management- Must Have

• Monitor data loads and perform error remediation to ensure data accuracy and completeness
• Conduct reconciliation of data before and during planning cycles
• Review, troubleshoot, and remediate batch jobs to ensure uninterrupted operations
• Manage integration between SAC and boundary/source applications
• Manage and monitor Data Action executions, Multi Actions, and Planning Process workflows to ensure successful cycle completion.
• Coordinate and validate master data and hierarchy updates across planning models.
• Implement and maintain automated data validation and exception reporting processes.
• Support period-end, forecast, and annual planning cycle cutover activities.
• Ensure adherence to SLAs for data refreshes, batch processing, and issue resolution.

Development & Delivery of SAC Components – Good to Have

• Oversee and contribute to development of SAC Stories and input templates
• Lead design and build of visualization dashboards and analytical reports
• Drive backend and UI enhancements for global reporting solutions
• Ensure high performance and usability across SAC deliverables
• Lead development of SAC Analytic Applications using scripting and advanced user interaction capabilities.
• Design and implement planning workflows using SAC Calendar, Task Chains, and Process Management features.
• Establish development standards, coding guidelines, and peer review processes for SAC deliverables.
• Create reusable templates, widgets, and reporting components to accelerate solution delivery.
• Ensure accessibility, usability, and responsive design standards across all planning applications.
• Expertise in SAC Analytic Applications and JavaScript scripting.
• Strong experience with Advanced Formulas, Data Actions, Multi Actions, and Calendar Processes.

Advanced Calculations & Data Actions- Good to Have

• Design and implement complex calculation logic within SAC models
• Lead development of Data Actions to automate planning processes
• Optimize performance and ensure accuracy across planning scenarios
• Establish development standards and conduct quality reviews
• Design and optimize Advanced Formula scripts for complex planning, allocation, and forecasting requirements.
• Develop Multi Actions to automate end-to-end planning and approval processes.
• Build driver-based planning, top-down and bottom-up forecasting models.
• Implement allocations, currency conversion, intercompany eliminations, and spreading logic.
• Conduct performance tuning of Data Actions, calculations, and planning models to minimize processing time.

System Performance & Stability - Must Have

• Monitor overall SAC system performance and proactively identify issues
• Analyze system bottlenecks and implement performance improvement measures
• Work closely with SAP on OSS notes, incident resolution, and follow-ups
• Apply recommended OSS notes and server-level configurations to enhance system efficiency
• Conduct capacity planning and usage analysis to support platform scalability and growth.
• Monitor model size, data volumes, and planning performance to ensure optimal system responsiveness.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) activities for critical incidents and implement preventive measures.
• Validate SAC quarterly releases and assess impact on planning models, integrations, and security.
• Coordinate regression testing and production readiness activities for platform enhancements.

Security & Access Management- Must Have

• Manage role-based access controls (RBAC), including defining who can view or edit forecasts
• Implement and maintain data-level security (e.g., region and product-level restrictions)
• Administer user roles, permissions, and assignments across SAC environments
• Ensure compliance with enterprise security and governance standards
• Periodically review user access and role assignments to ensure compliance with audit requirements.
• Manage Single Sign-On (SSO), identity provider integrations, and authentication configurations.
• Support internal and external audits by providing access reviews, security evidence, and compliance documentation.
• Establish segregation of duties (SoD) controls and monitor compliance with governance policies.

Platform Governance & Continuous Improvement -Good to Have

• Establish and enforce SAC administration best practices and governance frameworks
• Ensure data integrity, auditability, and compliance with planning policies
• Partner with IT, Finance, and business teams to support planning cycles and resolve issues
• Drive continuous improvement in system performance, reliability, and user experience
• Define and maintain SAC administration standards, naming conventions, and operational procedures.
• Manage platform change requests, release schedules, and promotion activities across Development, QA, and Production environments.
• Develop and maintain operational dashboards and KPIs for platform health monitoring.
• Identify opportunities to leverage new SAC Planning capabilities and drive adoption across business teams.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of models, integrations, security configurations, and operational processes.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management -Must Have

• Act as the primary point of contact for SAC administration and operational support
• Collaborate with SAP, integration teams, and internal stakeholders to resolve complex issues
• Support global users and provide guidance on system usage and best practices
• Facilitate planning readiness reviews and hypercare support during critical planning and forecasting cycles.
• Partner with Finance, FP&A, and business users to translate operational requirements into platform improvements.
• Lead knowledge-sharing sessions, user training, and administrator enablement programs.
• Coordinate with SAP product teams regarding roadmap features, enhancements, and platform best practices.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior administrators and support team members.

Environment & Release Management- Must Have

• Manage transport and deployment activities between Development, Test, and Production environments.
• Perform impact assessments and coordinate testing for SAC quarterly releases and platform upgrades.
• Maintain backup, recovery, and business continuity procedures for planning operations.
• Establish release governance processes and change management controls.
• Ensure production changes are documented, approved, tested, and communicated to stakeholders.

9.Additional Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with SAP Datasphere, BW/4HANA, SAP Integration Suite, and SAP Cloud Identity Services.
• Knowledge of SAC Data Actions, Multi Actions, Calendar Processes, and Advanced Formulas.
• Experience with ITIL-based incident, problem, and change management processes.
• Experience defining and tracking platform operational KPIs and SLAs.
• Strong understanding of enterprise planning, forecasting, budgeting, and workforce planning processes.

These additions elevate the role from a pure administrator position to a Senior/Lead SAC Planning Platform Owner, which is typically what enterprises expect for global SAC Planning implementations.

Required Skills & Qualifications - Must Have

• Strong hands-on experience with SAP Analytics Cloud (Planning Administration)
• Proven experience in data load monitoring, reconciliation, and batch job management
• Expertise in system performance monitoring and optimization
• Experience working with SAP OSS notes and support processes
• Strong knowledge of role-based access control and data security models
• Familiarity with data integration (APIs, flat files, enterprise systems)
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to manage operations in a global, cross-functional environment

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications- Must Have

• Experience in enterprise SAC Planning implementations and support models
• Familiarity with SAP ecosystem (S/4HANA, BW, Datasphere, etc.)
• Exposure to financial planning cycles and processes
• Experience supporting onshore/offshore delivery models

SAC Planning certification preferred