SAP MM or Materials Management is the name of the supply chain and logistics handling module created by German software company SAP. SAP specializes in making enterprise software that is used by several corporations across the world for managing business operations, customer relations and other aspects of corporate work. SAP MM work is carried out by a SAP MM consultant who works on MM modules with the help of specific blueprints based on the required configuration. With the increasing importance of SAP modules in various industries, more companies are beginning to rely on SAP for handling all aspects of their business functionalities, thus making SAP MM a vital component in the overall administrative makeup of the company.
Functions
In the logistics and materials management section of SAP implementation, certain factors such as storage, plant and purchasing are the key components of SAP MM. A SAP MM consultant has to understand the requirements of the intended module by discussing it in detail with the client or other representatives and set up the configuration for the various sub modules involved in materials management. They also have to prepare the master data templates for different functions such as vendor master, material master, source lists, excise master and purchase orders. During the testing phase, they have to check the compatibility of the MM module with other modules such as SAP HR, FI/CO and SD.
After the completion of the module, SAP MM consultants have to provide live support to the client. Training the intended process users and providing them with instruction manuals are few tasks carried out by them during this support phase. They are responsible for troubleshooting various issues faced by users and taking appropriate action to solve these issues. In some cases, they may need to change or improve different components of the module based on user feedback. There is frequent interaction with consultants of other SAP modules for the purpose of streamlining the SAP systems of the entire organization and providing a uniform experience to the users across all modules.
Skills
In-depth knowledge of SAP ABAP programming language and SAP MM modules is the chief skill that is sought after in any professional applying for the job of a SAP MM consultant. Owing to the frequent interaction with other consultants, team members, clients and end users, they should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. They should also have good teaching skills as training the end users on the MM modules after its development is one of their key roles. Besides these skills, possessing good organizational, problem solving and analytical abilities plays an important part in the proper execution of duties by a SAP MM consultant.
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science or a related field is the minimum educational requirement for any professional involved in SAP MM work. In some cases, a master's degree in the same field may be required by the hiring organization. They should also possess a certificate course in SAP MM modules from a recognized institute or via online training. Additional knowledge about the other SAP modules and prior experience in the field of SAP MM consulting is considered an added advantage and increases the chances of the candidate applying for the job.
Career Advancement
A SAP MM consultant receives promotion to the position of a senior consultant on the basis of tenure, exceptional skills and performance. Receiving this promotion also results in increased salary packages and more job responsibilities. Some consultants may move on to other fields of SAP work and it is not uncommon to find professionals who have used their expertise in more than one SAP modules during the course of their careers. Advancement to managerial roles may take place on the basis of qualifications and overall experience.
Earnings
The average salary of a SAP MM consultant is between $65,000 and $105,000 across a number of industries. These figures may vary based on the specific industry, company and experience of the individual.
SAP MM work, like other sub-fields of SAP implementation, is a viable choice for any person who is looking to build their careers in this field. It has lucrative reimbursement packages as well as several job opportunities, which make it great career option.