SAP IBP Demand Planning Consultant

Job Title: SAP IBP Demand Planning Consultant
Max rate: £690p/d via Umbrella
Duration: 3 months Initially
Clearance required: BPSS
Location: Remote Worker - Might be some visits to client office in Walton on Thames

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Demand Consultant with strong expertise in external forecasting, statistical modelling, and end to end integration using OData APIs. The ideal candidate will play a key role in designing, implementing, and optimizing demand planning processes, ensuring seamless data integration between SAP IBP and external systems.

This role requires a combination of functional expertise, technical understanding, and the ability to collaborate with supply chain, IT, and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Demand Planning & Forecasting
. Configure and optimize SAP IBP Demand Planning modules, including key features such as planning operators, forecast models, and attribute-based forecasting.
. Implement and enhance external forecast consumption processes and statistical methods.
. Work with business stakeholders to interpret forecasting outputs and recommend process improvements.
. Support demand planning cycles, monitoring forecast accuracy and KPI performance.

Integration & Technical Enablement
. Design, configure, and manage data exchange between SAP IBP and external systems using SAP IBP OData APIs.
. Implement external forecast ingestion pipelines, including setup of communication arrangements, authentication, and data mapping.
. Troubleshoot integration issues related to OData services, CPI flows, and master data alignment.
. Collaborate with IT teams to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable connectivity.

Solution Design & Delivery
. Translate business forecasting requirements into functional SAP IBP solutions.
. Lead fit-gap analyses, system configuration, and testing cycles (SIT, UAT).
. Document functional designs, configuration guides, and integration specifications.
. Support go-live activities and provide post implementation hypercare.

Stakeholder Collaboration
. Work closely with demand planners, supply chain teams, data engineers, and technical architects.
. Facilitate workshops to gather requirements, demonstrate solutions, and train end users.
. Provide advisory expertise on best practices in demand planning and IBP process capabilities.

Required Skills & Experience
. 3+ years of hands-on experience with SAP IBP Demand Planning.
. Strong experience in external forecasting setup and integration of external statistical/ML forecasts.
. Demonstrated expertise with SAP IBP OData APIs (creation, configuration, troubleshooting).
. Good understanding of SAP Cloud Platform Integration (SAP CIDS).
. Knowledge of IBP master data, time profiles, planning operators, and forecast algorithms.
. Experience working in Agile or hybrid project delivery environments.
. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications
. SAP IBP certification is a plus.
. Experience integrating external ML/AI forecasting models into SAP IBP/SAP APO.
. Familiarity with Python, R, or external forecasting tools (optional but useful).