News Article

"We Know We Need SAP Expertise. We Just Don’t Know Exactly When."

It’s a conversation we’ve had more than once recently that highlights a challenge many businesses face when planning SAP transformation projects: 

Knowing what expertise you’ll need is one thing, but knowing exactly when you’ll need it is another.

Project timelines change. Budgets get reviewed. Decisions take longer than expected. One phase finishes ahead of schedule while another runs over. Suddenly, the specialist you thought you’d need in three months is required next week.

And finding the right person at short notice isn’t always straightforward.

SAP hiring doesn't always follow a straight line

Traditional recruitment often assumes there's a clear starting point: a vacancy is approved, a job description is written, and the search begins. But SAP transformation projects rarely follow such a neat sequence, and the challenge is that specialist skills aren't always readily available when you need them. The people you want may already be committed to other projects, working through notice periods or weighing up several opportunities.

Starting the search only when the requirement becomes urgent can leave you competing for a limited pool of talent, with little room to manoeuvre. The answer isn't necessarily to hire earlier, it's to start the conversation earlier.

From reactive recruitment to talent planning

You don't need to commit to a hire months before you're ready. But understanding the talent market before a role becomes urgent can put you in a much stronger position.

That means asking a few practical questions:

• Which SAP skills are likely to be needed at each stage of the project?
• How readily available are those skills in the market?
• Which roles are business-critical, and which can be planned around?
• What are realistic notice periods, availability and rate or salary expectations?
• If the timeline changes, how quickly could you secure the expertise you need?

These conversations help you understand your options before the pressure is on, and when the project timeline shifts, you're not starting from scratch.

Keeping the right SAP talent within reach

This is where talent pools can make a real difference.

We understand that staying connected to relevant SAP professionals should be part of the planning process, not something that happens only when a vacancy lands.

Our ERP Talent Vault gives businesses a way to explore relevant, Maslow-approved SAP professionals without having to launch a full recruitment campaign every time a requirement emerges.

Rather than starting with a job advert and waiting for applications, you can get a view of available talent that may align with your technology requirements, location, availability and contract or permanent hiring needs. It creates an opportunity to have more informed conversations about the people who could support your project, understand the market and plan ahead.

Of course, availability changes. A consultant who is suitable today may be committed to another project by the time your requirement is confirmed. A talent pool isn't a guarantee that someone will be available on demand. But maintaining an up-to-date view of relevant professionals gives you a better starting point than beginning the search with a blank page.

Better preparation means more options

The value of a talent pool goes beyond filling a role quickly.

It can help hiring teams understand what's realistic, identify potential skills gaps earlier and make more informed decisions about how to resource a project.

It also creates space for a more consultative approach. Instead of rushing to market with a brief that may not fully reflect the project's needs, you can discuss the requirement, test your assumptions and refine the approach before committing to a search.

This makes a real difference when you're looking for specialist SAP expertise. The right person isn't necessarily someone with the correct skills on their CV. They need the relevant project experience, availability and ability to make a difference in your particular environment. The earlier you start that conversation, the more time you have to get those details right.

You don't need a confirmed vacancy to start planning

If your SAP roadmap is taking shape but the timings remain uncertain, you don't need to wait until every detail is signed off before thinking about talent.

• Start by identifying the skills you're likely to need. 
• Talk to people who understand the SAP market. 
• Find out what's available, where the gaps might be and what options you have if the timeline moves.

Then, when the requirement becomes real, you're making decisions with a clearer understanding of the market. SAP projects may not run to plan. Your talent strategy can still be one step ahead.

Planning your next SAP project?

If you're anticipating a need for specialist SAP expertise but aren't ready to launch a recruitment campaign, speak to Maslow about your requirements and the ERP Talent Vault.

You can explore relevant talent, understand the market and plan your next steps without committing to a full recruitment process before you're ready.

Get in touch with Maslow to start the conversation: +44 (0) 161 394 2620