Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Mladen, who is an SAP Consultant in our Aerospace division. Mladen is originally from Serbia, where he completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Belgrade. He has been working as an SAP consultant for the last nine years and has gained experience in various industries, including automotive and aviation. In 2022, Mladen moved to Germany with his family and started working for Sopra Steria. Let’s learn more about his journey.
You moved to Germany for this job. Why?
In 2022, I moved to Germany with my whole family. My wife started her PhD studies in Tübingen, and our daughter entered elementary school. After half a year of job searching, I came across my current position as a Senior SAP Consultant PM/CS in Sopra Steria’s Aerospace division. Luckily, I got the job. So in some ways, I still get to live my childhood dream, as even though I didn’t become a pilot, I can still be close to aeroplanes and work in aviation.
Why did you choose to work for Sopra Steria?
The real question is, who chose whom? I guess the stars aligned, considering that I had been working in the same role at my previous employer for the last five years. I am honestly very satisfied with my choice of employer.
How did you get started at Sopra Steria?
The whole recruitment process took place very quickly; I received immediate feedback at the end of each interview round and was asked if I agreed to continue with the process. I think that my team lead and I had a mutual understanding from the start. Based on the contract with Sopra Steria, I got a working visa and a Blue Card.
What are your tasks as an SAP consultant?
My tasks as an SAP consultant are very diverse and depend mainly on the project I am working on. Since I have experience in several SAP modules, I am expected to be able to respond to various challenges. Some of my tasks include helping colleagues with arranging notifications in the quality module, as well as setting up interfaces and connections between SAP and Salesforce. I also write FAQs for tenders in the automotive, military and aviation domains. And I currently work on the roll-out of a custom service project.
Which SAP solutions and products do you work with?
Depending on the client’s SAP environment, I work with R4 and S/4 Hana. As far as the SAP modules are concerned, I have knowledge of PP, MM/SCM, QM as well as PM/CS.
Which added value do you get from your job as an SAP consultant?
Expanding your knowledge is inevitable because each project brings its own unique challenges. Working with people also benefits me greatly, especially after the last 2–3 years and the constraints of the pandemic. I always enjoy learning from the challenges I face and coming out with more knowledge and experience than before – even though almost all of them seem impossible at first.
What do you think is special about your division?
Aviation is a rapidly developing industry, and so is our business. We must adopt new things to ensure market competitiveness and justify our clients’ trust. Furthermore, in my division and within the whole company, we really embody the #OneTeam spirit. Whenever I have a problem, there is always someone who is willing to help me solve it.
What has been particularly helpful/encouraging for you on your career path?
My team leader believes in me (maybe even more than I do myself sometimes 😀) and gives me the opportunity to learn something new by pushing me into new challenges.
Were there any important key moments on your professional path?
One of my career’s most significant turning points has been stepping out of my comfort zone and getting back from in-house consulting into the external consulting.
What would be your tip for anyone interested in pursuing a career in SAP consulting?
I am someone who has accompanied a lot of SAP consultants (through recruiting and training), and my advice is always the same: This is one of the most exciting jobs and a job I would always recommend, especially to young graduates who are starting their professional career in consulting. This job offers challenges, a handful of business trips and getting to know other cultures and countries. Also, you acquire a vast amount of knowledge, not only through certificates but also through learning on the job. For those who are highly ambitious, this is also an excellent start to building a career towards management positions in the company.
Thank you, Mladen, for sharing your experiences as an SAP consultant with us. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve built a successful career in this field and found a role that aligns with your passions and interests.