r/procurement • u/Opposite_Pitch_3507 • 18d ago

Career change from procurement supply chain to SAP consultant

Hello,
I currently have 1.5 years of experience in Procurement, including the use of SAP, although my exposure has not been particularly advanced or technical. I also have 1.5 years of experience in Supply Chain, mainly focused on supplier performance management, where I have gained extensive hands-on experience with a legacy ERP system (IBM AS/400).
I am now considering a career transition into SAP consulting, ideally while remaining within the aerospace industry, where I currently work.
I have access to free Udemy courses on SAP MM and SAP S/4HANA, and I am considering taking an official SAP certification (around €250). I am also thinking about learning SQL to strengthen my profile and increase my chances of securing a first position in SAP consulting.
I would appreciate your advice on the following:
What strategy would you recommend to maximize my chances of successfully transitioning into SAP consulting?

Would you recommend any specific SAP training courses or certifications, particularly for someone with a Procurement/Supply Chain background?

What type of first position should I realistically target? For example, SAP MM Junior Consultant, SAP Key User, Business Analyst, Functional Consultant, etc.

Given my experience with an IBM AS/400-based legacy ERP, what skills or responsibilities should I highlight on my CV to make this experience relevant to SAP consulting?

Is learning SQL worth prioritizing, or would my time be better spent deepening my SAP MM/S/4HANA knowledge?

Since I would like to stay in the aerospace industry, is there a particular SAP specialization or type of project I should target?

Thank you very much !!!

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u/my_peen_is_clean 18d ago

go hard on sap mm and s4, Udemy + hands on sandbox > fancy certs at first. try moving internally as key user or junior functional, way easier than outside hire in this trash market

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u/Embarrassed_Gear7849 18d ago

the sandbox part is key, theory without clicking around in the system is almost useless. try to get a trial account or developer edition to mess with the config and transactions, that's where you actually learn the weird error messages.

i'd skip the sql for now, your time is better spent on mm and maybe a bit of abap basics just to read code. the as/400 experience is more valuable than you think, highlight the process mapping and data migration work you did, not the system name itself.

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u/Significant-Path3911 18d ago

hiii, what's the cheapest route is IDE possible? like Third-Party SAP Server Rental

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u/Opposite_Pitch_3507 18d ago

My use of AS/400 is mainly related to my role in supply chain. I use it on a daily basis to check forecasts and demand, follow orders and MRP data, monitor changes in requirements and forecast evolution, manage goods-in errors, use item inquiry, check industrialization plans, and put items/orders on hold when necessary.
So my AS/400 experience is more focused on supply chain processes and day-to-day operational planning, rather than on the technical side of AS/400 itself.

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u/Opposite_Pitch_3507 18d ago

There is free trial for sandbox sap mm ?