Senior SAP consultant job description

Discover the job of Senior SAP Consultant and all the facets of this profession. Salary, training and skills are detailed in this guide by Key User Training.

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An SAP Senior Consultant is a business and technical expert responsible for managing SAP system integration, transformation or evolution projects within companies. He combines a strong knowledge of business processes with a mastery of SAP modules to support his customers in their strategic challenges.

But it would be a mistake to reduce this role to a simple job description.

Because a senior SAP consultant is much more than a technician: he's a conductor, a trainer, and sometimes even a mediator.

They know how to listen to customer needs, translate business expectations into functional specifications, coordinate teams, anticipate risks... and above all, they know how to deliver results.

🚨 If you're an SAP consultant today, you know: you can't learn this profession from books. It's built up in the field. And it's precisely this experience that the title "Senior" recognizes.

But being "senior" doesn't just mean "having 5 years' experience".

This means:
- know how to manage a project from A to Z,
- be able to manage an assignment independently,
- understand business issues as well as technical processes,
- and sometimes, knowing how to say no to a customer... to better guide them.

What training courses are available to move from junior to senior SAP consultant?

The truth is, there's no such thing as a single magical training to become a senior SAP consultant.

Because you don't become a senior by following a course of study, but by building up recognized expertise in the field.

That said, certain training courses can clearly accelerate this progression.

The right sequence? Go deeper into one or two functional modules, take a step back from projects, develop your posture. Ongoing training plays a key role... but it's your ability to apply those mission skills that will make the difference.

How are Senior Consultants certified?

Let's be clear: no single certification is enough to make you a senior SAP consultant.

But...

Certain certifications can prove your level, reassure a recruiter, or facilitate access to critical projects.

Official SAP certifications

SAP offers certifications for each module (e.g. SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA for Financial Accounting).

They are divided into three levels:
Associate for junior consultants or those in the process of upgrading their skills
Specialist for specific expertise (often cross-modules)
Professional rarer, recognized as a high level of expertise

For a senior consultant, aim for the Specialist or Professional level is an excellent signal of credibility.

Other useful certifications

Beyond SAP, certain certifications can strengthen your position:

PMP or Prince2 : recognition in project management
ITIL for support or TMA-oriented consultants
Scrum Master / Product Owner : in Agile contexts

These certifications are not "compulsory", but they show that you have mastered the methodologies expected in major projects.

The essentials: reconnaissance in the field

But beware: a senior SAP consultant is judged less on his or her qualifications than on his or her ability to deliver.

Certifications can open doors for you... but only your experience (number of deployments, project complexity, customer attitude) will build your reputation.

How much does an SAP Senior Consultant earn?

Let's talk numbers.

Because at some point, experience is good. But recognition also comes in the form of a pay slip.

The salary of an SAP Senior Consultant in France generally ranges from €55,000 to €80,000 gross per year.
But that's just a range.

In reality, remuneration depends on several factors:

1. Location

No surprise there, SAP consultants in Paris or in the Lyon/Nantes region often earn more than those in the provinces.
The Paris market, in particular, is driving up prices thanks to the concentration of large accounts.

2. Specialization

An SAP FI/CO consultant is not paid the same as a BW/BI expert or a Fiori / ABAP technician.
🔍 The rarer and more indispensable you are, the higher your value.
Example: a techno-functional profile capable of dialoguing with the business lines and developers is highly sought-after.

3. Type of structure

Visit ESN (ex-SSII), the salary is often lower... but the progression can be rapid.
In the end customerThe pay may be more comfortable, but the prospects for advancement are slower.
Visit freelancea senior SAP consultant can bill between €600 and €900 per day according to module and experience.

4. Level of autonomy

A consultant who knows how to frame a project, lead workshops, manage conflicts and liaise with management is worth their weight in gold.
And it's not just a question of seniority.

In short: your salary as a senior SAP consultant reflects much more than your years of experience. It depends on your perceived value, your specialization, and your ability to solve real customer problems.

How long does it take to become a "Senior" in SAP?

It's the question every junior SAP consultant asks himself or herself.

But let's be honest: there are no written rules. Nobody's going to give you a medal on your fifth anniversary in the business.

So how long does it really take?

We often tend to answer with a magic number: "5 years experience". It's handy for job descriptions. But it's completely out of touch with reality.

Because the real answer is "it depends".

What does it depend on? The density of your projects.

A consultant can spend six years in a comfortable environment, without ever having to deal with a difficult customer or a project in crisis.

Meanwhile, another may, in the space of three years, go through a series of deployments, experience two version upgrades, manage an international skills transfer and reframe a vague need in the face of management that is not always clear.

Which one is senior?

The truth is, you become a senior SAP consultant the day you're trusted to make important decisions. Not the day your LinkedIn profile reaches a milestone.

Being senior means knowing how to anticipate. Being able to explain to customers that what they're asking for isn't a good idea. Frame a project. Manage tensions. Simplify a complex business need. And sometimes, bridging the gap between business management, technical teams and reality on the ground.

It's this change of attitude that makes all the difference.

How do I go from senior SAP consultant to freelancer?

At some point, the question always comes up.

What if I went freelance?

When you've accumulated several years' mission experience, piloted critical projects and won the trust of customers, it's a natural transition. But it's not automatic.

Going freelance isn't just about changing contracts. It's a change of posture, a change of pace, and above all... a change of exposure.

First step: validate your "value portfolio

A successful senior SAP freelance consultant is one who ticks three boxes:

• A clear expertise (on a module, sector or project type)
• A solid reputation (former customers, former colleagues, word of mouth...)
• A self-management skills (no project manager to validate each step)

In other words, you must already be perceived as independent before you can become self-employed.

Step 2: Understanding the market

What AER can you ask for? Which specialization is currently most in demand? What are the intercontract risks?

A good way to test the waters is to talk to other SAP freelancers. Or, better still, take on your first assignment via an agency, consultancy or platform, while you get your bearings.

Yes, the myth of the freelancer who earns €900 a day on his first assignment does exist... but it's a rare one.

Third stage: adapting to a new lifestyle

Being an independent consultant also means :

• administrative management,
• prospecting (at first),
• negotiate its terms,
• know how to say no to the wrong assignments.

But it also means unrivalled freedom to choose projects, rhythms and customers.

In short: you don't become an SAP freelancer to escape a salaried job. You become one when you feel you're worth more than what's on offer... and you're ready to take control of your career path.

What training do you need to perfect your skills as a Senior?

It's a common mistake to think that once you're a "senior", the learning phase is over.

In fact, that's often where it starts.

Why is this? Because at this level, the stakes are changing. What's expected of you is no longer just knowing how to configure a module. It's about having a global vision. To guide teams. Anticipate risks. To build sustainable solutions.

Here are a few ideas:

Being a senior SAP consultant isn't just a rank. It's a responsibility. It's a responsibility to understand business challenges, to manage complex projects, and to play a key role in the transformation of companies.

But beware: in a world as fast-moving as SAP, expertise can never be taken for granted.

A true senior is one who continues to learn. To challenge their practices. Training to stay relevant.

PS: Are you already in your current position and aiming for excellence?

That's exactly why we've created Expert Training Center: a 100 % online platform dedicated to SAP consultants who want to reach expert level.

On the program:

• Advanced modules on the latest SAP tools (S/4HANA, BTP, Fiori...)
• Case studies from the field
• And above all, a pedagogy designed for working professionals