Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) Specialist is the cornerstone of our enterprise data strategy, acting as the primary custodian for critical master data domains such as Customer, Vendor, Material, and Finance. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining the SAP MDG platform to ensure the highest standards of data quality, consistency, and accuracy across the enterprise. You will collaborate closely with business stakeholders, functional teams, and technical developers to translate business requirements into robust governance processes, rules, and workflows. Ultimately, your work ensures that reliable, trusted data underpins our core business operations and strategic decision-making.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

SAP Functional Consultant (MM, SD, FICO)
Business Analyst with a strong SAP and data focus
Data Steward or Data Quality Analyst

Advancement To:

SAP MDG Lead or Architect
Enterprise Data Governance Manager
SAP Solution Architect (Data & Analytics)

Lateral Moves:

SAP S/4HANA Data Migration Lead
Senior Data Quality Manager
Information Steward Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the design, configuration, and comprehensive implementation of SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) solutions across key data objects, including Material, Customer, Vendor, and Financials.
Develop and maintain the data models, UI configurations using Floorplan Manager (FPM), and process models within the SAP MDG framework.
Architect and implement complex validation and derivation logic using the Business Rule Framework plus (BRF+) to enforce data standards and business rules at the point of entry.
Manage the entire lifecycle of a master data record through the configuration of SAP Business Workflows, including creation, change, and marking for deletion processes.
Collaborate with business process owners and data stewards to define and document master data definitions, standards, and governance policies.
Execute data replication and integration between SAP MDG, S/4HANA, and other SAP or non-SAP systems using technologies like DRF, IDocs, ALE, and API services.
Lead data migration activities for SAP MDG implementation projects, including data analysis, cleansing, transformation, and loading using tools like SAP DQM or Information Steward.
Provide expert-level support for the production MDG environment, troubleshooting complex incidents related to workflows, data replication, and UI issues.
Conduct workshops and training sessions for business users and data stewards to ensure effective adoption of MDG processes and principles.
Develop functional and technical specifications for custom enhancements (WRICEF objects) and work closely with ABAP developers to ensure successful delivery.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives for master data processes by identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation.
Perform root cause analysis for master data quality issues and implement preventative measures and corrective actions within the MDG system.
Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure data quality, process efficiency, and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs).
Act as the subject matter expert on all aspects of SAP MDG during project blueprints, solution design workshops, and stakeholder review meetings.
Ensure all MDG configurations and developments comply with internal security policies, data privacy regulations, and audit requirements (e.g., GDPR, SOX).
Manage and configure user roles and authorizations within the MDG system to ensure proper segregation of duties and access controls.
Oversee the transport management process for MDG-related configuration and development objects across the system landscape (Dev, QA, Prod).
Evaluate and recommend new features and functionalities from SAP MDG service packs and version upgrades to enhance the organization's governance capabilities.
Create and maintain detailed documentation for all MDG configurations, processes, and solution designs to facilitate knowledge transfer and long-term support.
Guide and mentor junior team members, providing technical guidance and fostering a culture of data excellence and accountability.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to provide insights for business stakeholders.
Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and roadmap, particularly in areas concerning data quality and governance.
Collaborate with business units to translate evolving data needs and challenges into actionable engineering and process requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies as part of the broader data and SAP development teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep, hands-on expertise in configuring SAP MDG for multiple domains (e.g., MDG-M, MDG-C, MDG-S, MDG-F), including data modeling and UI modeling.
Strong proficiency in the Business Rule Framework plus (BRF+) for creating and managing complex validation, derivation, and workflow routing rules.
In-depth knowledge of UI configuration using Floorplan Manager (FPM) and Web Dynpro for ABAP to create intuitive user interfaces for data stewards.
Solid understanding of SAP master data objects (Material Master, Business Partner, Customer/Vendor, G/L Accounts) and their integration within core ECC or S/4HANA modules.
Experience with data replication frameworks and technologies, including Data Replication Framework (DRF), IDocs, SOAP/OData services, and SOA.
Proficiency with data migration tools and methodologies, including SAP Data Services (BODS), Migration Cockpit (LTMC), or SAP Information Steward.
Foundational ABAP knowledge for debugging, reading code, and collaborating effectively with developers on custom enhancements (WRICEF).
Experience with SAP Business Workflow for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting multi-step approval processes within MDG.
Knowledge of integrating SAP MDG with other data quality solutions like SAP Information Steward or third-party tools for address validation and data enrichment.
Understanding of the SAP S/4HANA architecture and the role of Business Partner (BP) as the central object for customer and vendor master data.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: Ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical business stakeholders and translate business requirements into technical solutions.
Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build relationships, manage expectations, and influence decision-making with business leaders, data stewards, and IT colleagues.
Analytical & Problem-Solving Mindset: A structured approach to troubleshooting complex system issues, performing root cause analysis, and developing effective, lasting solutions.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of configuration, testing, and documentation to ensure data integrity and system stability.
Leadership & Mentoring: A natural ability to guide project teams, mentor junior colleagues, and champion data governance best practices across the organization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

Computer Science
Information Systems or Information Management
Business Administration with an IT focus

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-10 years of experience in SAP, with a significant focus on data management.

Preferred: At least 4-5 years of dedicated, hands-on experience with SAP Master Data Governance (MDG), including participation in a minimum of two full-cycle implementation projects. Experience with S/4HANA and the Business Partner concept is highly desirable.