About Cognizant Consulting
Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant’s consulting practice—we’re a global community of 6,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capability, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we’re looking for our next colleague who’ll join us in shaping the future of business. Could it be you?
About the role
As a Consulting Manager - SAP S/4HANA MES Upgrade Assessment, you will make an impact by serving as the primary bridge between enterprise ERP (SAP S/4) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ensuring alignment of testing schedule and data, and escalating issues found. You will be a valued member of the Digital Manufacturing/MES Center of Excellence team and work collaboratively with the MES Product Manager, program teams, solution architects, and clients.
In this role, you will:
- Act as the day-to-day liaison for testing schedule and data creation for SAP S/4HANA program teams.
- Facilitate the end-to-end process view across SAP and MES (e.g., production orders, confirmations, backflush, material staging, labor reporting, scrap/rework, genealogy/traceability, quality results, batch/serial management).
- Translate manufacturing requirements into SAP/MES functional specifications and integration requirements.
- Partner with solution architects to define integration patterns (e.g., APIs, IDocs, middleware/eventing) and ensure reliable, auditable data flows.
- Drive master data alignment and governance across SAP and MES (materials, BOMs, routings/recipes, work centers/resources, production versions, serial/batch rules).
- Lead structured MES upgrade assessments, including current-state MES capability and configuration review, interface/integration inventory and criticality scoring, and performance, scalability, and availability assessment.
- Develop upgrade options and recommendations (e.g., in-place vs. migration, phased rollout vs. big-bang), including pros/cons, risks, dependencies, and cost/effort estimates.
- Produce a comprehensive MES Upgrade Assessment Report and roadmap aligned with SAP S/4HANA milestones.
- Manage integrated workplans across SAP, MES, and middleware teams; track RAID (risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies).
- Plan and execute testing strategy spanning SAP and MES: SIT/E2E scenarios, regression, performance testing, data reconciliation and interface validation, shop-floor pilot testing, and production readiness.
- Support cutover planning, including downtime analysis, fallback strategies, and shop-floor continuity planning.
Work model
We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Travel may be required to manufacturing sites during assessment, testing, and go-lives. Occasional off-shift support may be required during cutovers or critical shop-floor events. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.
What you must have to be considered
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years’ experience in manufacturing systems roles involving MES and SAP (ECC and/or S/4HANA).
- Demonstrated experience supporting or leading MES upgrades/major version changes (assessment, planning, execution, hypercare).
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and data flows.
- Experience with integration concepts and tools (e.g., SAP IDocs/BAPIs, REST/SOAP APIs, middleware such as SAP CPI/PO, MuleSoft, Boomi, Kepware, or similar).
- Excellent facilitation, requirements elicitation, and documentation skills.
Preferred qualifications
- Hands-on knowledge of common MES platforms (e.g., Siemens Opcenter, Rockwell FactoryTalk ProductionCentre, Korber PAS-X, GE Proficy, Dassault DELMIA Apriso, SAP Digital Manufacturing, Critical Manufacturing, Ignition/MOM frameworks).
- Exposure to SAP manufacturing-related modules and processes: PP/DS, PP-PI, QM, EWM/IM, PM, Batch Management, Serial Number Management.
- Experience with ISA-95 models and manufacturing integration standards.
- Experience in multi-site deployments and global template rollouts.
- Experience with CSV/validation and regulated manufacturing.
- SAP certification(s) and/or MES vendor certification(s).
Core competencies
- Systems thinking across ERP–MES
- Structured assessment and roadmap development
- Risk management and stakeholder alignment
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting ability
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to operate effectively in both plant-floor and corporate IT settings
Compensation
$110,000-$130,000
This position is eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Employee assistance program
- 10 paid holidays plus PTO
- Paid parental leave and fertility assistance
- Learning and development certifications and programs
Post closing date
Applications will be accepted until 08/20/2028
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
