Role: SAP – Release Management Strategist / SME
Location: San Jose, CA
Responsible for planning, managing, and coordinating the release of SAP software and systems to ensure a smooth transition to new versions and updates. This involves defining release strategies, managing change control, and coordinating with various teams to execute releases effectively.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the analysis of current SAP Enterprise Release Management processes and tools, identify gaps, and drive the implementation of effective solutions to enhance efficiency, automation, and governance
- Oversee the end-to-end SAP release lifecycle, leveraging SAP ChaRM for change governance and full automation across development, QA, and production systems
- Architect CI/CD pipelines integrated with ChaRM and automation tools to support continuous delivery and testing
- Embed code quality, security scans, and transport validation checks within the SAP DevOps toolchain
- Design and maintain highly available and scalable SAP S/4HANA systems on large HANA multi-node databases.
- Implement downtime-optimized techniques (NZDT, NZDM, ZDO) to minimize business disruption during cutovers and upgrade
- Utilize SAP LiveCompare for impact analysis and SAP Tricentis Tosca for comprehensive test automation
- Drive load and performance testing strategies using LoadRunner or equivalent tools.
- Integrate and manage business process monitoring (BPM) to ensure system reliability and early issue detection.
- Champion comprehensive testing & quality assurance practices across landscapes to ensure delivery excellence.
- Collaborate across teams to enforce architectural standards, ensure platform consistency, and promote innovation.
- Implement structured release calendar and governance models for SAP transports and deployments.
- Ensure compliance with audit and change control requirements during release planning and execution.
- Work closely with SAP ChaRM (Change Request Management) or third-party tools to automate release workflows.
- Manage cutover planning, release readiness, and post-release validation activities.
- Develop and maintain documentation on release processes, policies, and procedures.
- Monitor and improve the effectiveness of release processes with KPIs and continuous feedback loops.
- Facilitate communication across cross-functional teams to manage dependencies and risks during release cycles.
Skills & Experience required
- 15+ years of experience in SAP Release Management, SAP Basis and SAP Solution Manager Change Management roles.
- Hands-on experience with SAP Enterprise Release Management, including ChaRM full automation and integration with third-party tools
- Strong expertise in CI/CD concepts, DevOps integration for SAP, and automated transport and deployment pipelines.
- Knowledge of code quality and security validation tools and practices in the SAP ecosystem
- In-depth knowledge of SAP transport management system (TMS), dual/multi-track landscapes, retrofit processes.
- Proven expertise in SAP upgrade and patching cycles, including coordination and deployment.
- Deep experience in implementing NZDT, NZDM, ZDO in large enterprise programs.
- Proficient with SAP LiveCompare, SAP Tricentis Tosca, and LoadRunner for performance and quality assurance.
- Proficiency in LoadRunner or similar tools for SAP load and performance testing.
- In-depth knowledge of SAP technical architecture, integration frameworks, and best practices
- Experience with Business Process Monitoring, impact analysis, and test coverage strategies.
- Strong experience with SAP HANA multi-node management in large-scale enterprise environments
- Strong knowledge of SAP Solution Manager, Focused Build, and integration with testing and monitoring tools.
- Understanding of ITIL-based change and release management best practices.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and documentation skills.
- Familiarity with integration to CI/CD pipelines and DevOps methodologies in SAP context is a plus.
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