Functional Engineer - SuccessFactors DevOpsFunctional Engineer - SuccessFactors DevOps

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com 

© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

What is the primary purpose of this job? Describe the 5-6 main objectives of the job and the approximate % of time spent performing each objective.

The Functional Engineer in this role is the SuccessFactors DevOps focal point within the development team, who besides contributing individually in Employee Central Core and/or Integrations, also plans and orchestrates execution of the DevOps work and strives to build a cohesive self-organizing team

HR processes covered in our SuccessFactors environment: Employee Central and Position Management, Recruitment and Onboarding, Performance & Goals, Talent, Succession & Development, Compensation, Learning, Time Management.

The operating model is Dev Ops which will be evolved from its current state in close collaboration with the business (refer organization). The scope will include all aspects of managing and further enhancing the systems.

Key objectives:

Development and Operations (60% of time):

Development: The development model follows agile/scrum methodology with central Product Ownership in People Services Global Delivery, delivering (user)stories in short sprints.

Together with the process- and system experts of Global Business Services, focus on delivering optimal system configurations fulfilling requirements based on (user) stories. This includes assessment, build, unit- and user acceptance testing and finally deployment.

Operations: Perform below ticketing and non-ticketing activities:

• Incident Management including Major Incident Management, raising and coordinating tickets with SAP on product issues
• Problem Management with rigorous Root Cause Analysis
• Standard changes implementation
• Monitoring of the systems and integrations and (where needed) taking corrective action
• SAP SuccessFactors Release management (regression testing, new features)
• Keeping the different SuccessFactors environments fit-for-purpose with periodic System Refreshes

It is the intention that more and more work get done as part of the standing organization with stable teams and no longer create a project for every single change that needs to be done. In this context, development also includes such (user)stories that could be planned in regular delivery sprints.  

Being a focal point, it is expected that 15% time is on planning, overall co-ordination and reporting on development and operations.

Delivery of Projects and overall improvements (30% of time):

Provide guidance and support on the use of the SuccessFactors system functionality to the key stakeholders ((HR function, People Services regional delivery centers and local key users).

Recommend new features and take an active role in setting up the product roadmap with IT and process- and system experts from the Global Business services team.

Deliver new developments needed project implementations, independently or working together with third party experts in a dedicated project set-up. This may require a certain level of project management skills and overseeing complex and diverse HR technologies. This project work will be balanced with the activities for Development and Operations

System standards, training, and individual development (10%):

Ensure that the global standard processes, tools and documentation are well-maintained and adhered to.

Work together with the process- and system experts on user procedures, guidelines and documentation.

Ensure that the required level of expertise in SuccessFactors is maintained including the right certification(s).

Review, Test and introduce new features in SAP SuccessFactors with a focus on improving the product and service operations.

Describe the responsibilities as clearly as possible. Which tasks is the job holder responsible for and in what way? What results are to be achieved?

• Act as the focal point in the SuccessFactors DevOps team, planning and orchestrating execution of the work.
• Strive to build a cohesive self-organizing team providing coaching, feedback and inspiration.
• Own the measurement, reporting and improvements towards the agreed Objectives and Key Results.  
• Configure and maintain SAP SuccessFactors according to best practices and industry standards, ensuring alignment with business processes and requirements.
• Resolve end user issues working in close collaboration with Global Business Services.
• Own the ticket exchanges with SAP for product issues or queries, driving to closure (actively follow-up).
• Be a real counterpart for the process- and system experts and regional People Services teams: report on issues, suggest system improvements, translate process requirements into SuccessFactors functionality.
• As a consultant, analyze / assess (user)stories and prepare/present proposals, based on an end-to-end understanding of the HR-IT system landscape.
• Provide expertise to increase efficiency and to improve quality by standardizing, optimizing and automating processes in/around SuccessFactors.
• Deliver technical SuccessFactors expertise in improvement projects.
• Document system configurations, processes, and procedures, maintaining accurate records.
• Understand SuccessFactors end-to-end, including integration between modules.
• Understand processes and data cross domain.
• Stay updated on trends, best practices and new developments in SuccessFactors and other relevant products.
• Maintain relevant and up-to-date knowledge through e.g. using the SuccessFactors (SAP) community portal and relevant certifications.

5. Job Requirements:

Essential educational qualifications, relevant experience and requested skills.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in Information Technology, Human Resources or Business Administration.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a customer-focused, IT application delivery or support-based role (within multinational or international consultancy organization).
• Experience in a focal point and/or a team lead role in a Development and/or Operations setting is a pre-requisite.
• SAP Certified Associate, SuccessFactors Employee Central Core (C_THR81) or SAP Certified Associate - Integration Developer (C_CPI_2404).
• Extensive knowledge of SuccessFactors Employee Central Core and Position Management and/or CPI integrations (in the context of SuccessFactors). Proven track record of successful implementations.
• Broad overview of all the relevant modules in SuccessFactors.Ability to collaborate with business stakeholders and to hardwire (high level) business needs into specific IT solutions and to drive the delivery of these solutions end-to-end.
• Pro-active and supportive, with good team building skills. Self-organizing with regards to planning and delivery (able to handle time pressure and to manage priorities).
• Strong written and verbal communications, interpersonal and presentation skills, including a high standard of written and spoken English.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to analyze (large) data sets and to derive insights.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools especially Excel, PowerPoint.
• Prior experience working in an Agile and/or DevOps setting is a definite plus.
• Prior exposure to Lean Six Sigma and/or any structured improvement approach is a plus.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.