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

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.

Key Responsibilities

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

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

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. 

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.