Throughout April, Jeremy Banks consistently explored trends in SAP recruitment across sectors and regions, using Vacancysoft data as a source. His posts highlight shifting market demands, sector-specific surges and declines, and the broader implications of SAP’s transition from ECC to S/4HANA.
Key Sector Trends:
- Aerospace & Defence has overtaken Industrial Engineering in SAP vacancies, reversing the gap seen last year. The trend appears driven by migration to S/4HANA and rising global defence budgets.
- Public Sector vacancies are projected to increase by 200%, with digital transformation projects underway in organisations like the City of London Corporation. Jeremy notes this could spur similar hiring surges across the NHS and other bodies.
- In Electricity, SAP vacancies have doubled in recent months, while Oil & Gas has seen a steady decline – potentially reflecting the shift toward renewable energy.
- The Banking and Insurance sectors have seen significant drops in SAP hiring (43% and 67% respectively), despite the looming ECC support cut-off in 2027.
- Retail & Consumer Goods has bucked broader IT vacancy trends, holding steady in SAP roles. Forecasts suggest a 53.8% increase in SAP hiring this year compared to 2024.
Regional Hiring Patterns:
- SAP roles outside London are catching up, with regional demand remaining stable even as London vacancies fell 62% from January to March.
- The Midlands has shown consistent vacancy growth, while SAP Manager roles are increasingly based outside the capital – 60% so far this year.
- SAP consulting dominates in London, whereas SAP management is more prevalent regionally.
Functional Shifts in SAP Roles:
- SAP Analyst roles surged in March, growing from 13% to 24% of total SAP roles, while SAP Manager positions declined.
- SAP Architect roles rose sharply in 2024, with a 55% year-over-year increase – likely tied to the need for skilled leadership during ECC-to-S/4HANA migrations.
- Demand for SAP Developers rebounded in the UK early in 2025, even as Germany’s surge has cooled.
Consulting & Company Movements:
- NTT overtook Capgemini as the leading SAP hirer last year and bolstered its position by joining SAP’s PartnerEdge Global MSP program.
- SAP consulting firms more broadly are on track for a record year, particularly as the 2027 ECC deadline drives demand.
Macro Observations:
- Nearly 50% of SAP roles in Europe now fall under IT Services, with Consulting also gaining share.
- The launch of SAP’s UK Sovereign Cloud in late 2024 spurred a 25% vacancy increase in early 2025, particularly in cybersecurity and public sector roles.
- Certain sectors, like Accountancy and Medical Devices, have seen recent dips in SAP hiring, though they remain key components of the professional services and healthcare markets.
