Principal SAP Security Specialist (Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency)

Position Overview

Job Title: Principal SAP Security Specialist
Agency: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency
Location: Manchester City Centre (Hybrid working: split between home and the office 2 days per week)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Open to flexible working discussions)
Salary: Circa £85,000 - £95,000 plus excellent benefits (Work Level 4)
Closing Date: 05-08-2026
Job ID: 1069636

About the Role

Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency is looking for an experienced Principal SAP Security Specialist to join our partner's Technology team in Manchester city centre. As Co-op reshapes its Digital, Technology and Data function for the future, you will lead the strategy, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise SAP security, GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), and IT controls.

In this leadership role, you will act as a senior point of accountability across Technology, Finance, Risk, and Audit, ensuring that our business-critical SAP environment remains secure, scalable, and fully compliant while leading a specialist team.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Roadmap: Define and lead the strategy for SAP security, authorisations, controls, and GRC across ECC and S/4HANA environments.
Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of SAP security, GRC, and controls specialists to drive high performance.
Access Governance: Own the governance of SAP role design and access management, maintaining a scalable, compliant Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) model.
GRC Oversight: Provide senior oversight of SAP GRC processes, including Access Risk Analysis (ARA), Access Request Management (ARM), and segregation of duties controls.
Controls & Compliance: Lead the continuous improvement of SAP IT general controls and automated controls, supporting internal and external audit activities.
Business Change: Oversee the security and controls impact of SAP and wider business transformation initiatives, balancing enablement with effective risk management.
Automation & Standardisation: Drive efficiency by introducing simplification, standardisation, and automation across SAP security and compliance processes.

What You’ll Bring

Leadership Experience: Significant experience leading SAP security, GRC, and controls functions within large, complex organisations, alongside proven people leadership skills.
Technical Expertise: Deep technical proficiency in SAP authorisations, role design, RBAC, and security environments including SAP ECC, S/4HANA, and Fiori.
GRC Knowledge: Strong command of SAP GRC Access Control (ARA, ARM, and segregation of duties).
Frameworks & Audits: A robust track record of defining operating frameworks for SAP controls, compliance, and managing IT general controls through audits.
Stakeholder Influence: The ability to build credibility and influence senior stakeholders across multi-disciplinary teams.

Note: If your experience doesn't align perfectly with every single requirement but you are excited about the role, we still encourage you to apply.

Benefits & Perks

Competitive Salary: Circa £85,000 - £95,000 per annum, plus an annual performance-based bonus.
Car Package: Company car or £6,000 car allowance.
Private Healthcare: Comprehensive private healthcare and virtual healthcare services (including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition, and fitness advice).
Pension Scheme: Pension with up to 10% employer contributions.
Paid Time Off: 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays.
Wellbeing & Onsite Perks: Access to a subsidised onsite gym at the Manchester HQ and a 24/7 colleague support service.
Financial Flexibility: Access to Stream (early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it).
Discounts: 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands, plus a cycle-to-work scheme.
Career Growth: Ongoing training, development resources, and career progression support.