How to Launch Your Career in NetSuite or SAP

Breaking into ERP: How to Launch Your Career in NetSuite or SAP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like NetSuite and SAP play a vital role in helping businesses manage everything from finance and supply chains to customer relationships and inventory. As digital transformation continues to sweep through industries, demand for ERP professionals in the UK remains consistently strong.

However, breaking into the ERP space can feel daunting at first. These platforms are powerful, complex, and deeply embedded in business operations. Fortunately, there are accessible entry points for those who are eager to learn and ready to invest in their development.

Understand the Business Behind ERP

ERP platforms are not just about software. They are built to reflect and manage real-world business processes. Whether you are working with NetSuite, SAP, or another system, understanding how organisations function is essential. Get familiar with how departments like finance, procurement, HR, and logistics work together. This foundational knowledge will help you understand why ERP systems are structured the way they are and how different modules interact.

Many successful ERP professionals come from business, finance, or operations backgrounds. Even if your experience is not in tech, a strong grasp of business workflows can make you an excellent candidate for roles such as ERP analyst or implementation consultant.

Explore Entry-Level Roles and Career Paths

There are a number of entry-level roles that provide a solid foundation for a career in ERP. These may include:

• Support Consultant – Providing technical support and helping users troubleshoot issues within the ERP system.

• Business Analyst – Acting as the bridge between business users and the technical ERP team by gathering requirements and helping define solutions.

• Junior Functional Consultant – Assisting with system configuration, testing, and training as part of implementation or upgrade projects.

Some companies also offer graduate schemes or internships with a focus on ERP. These programmes can offer hands-on exposure to both the software and the surrounding business context.

Get Certified and Build Technical Knowledge

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your interest and commitment to prospective employers. For NetSuite, consider working towards the SuiteFoundation certification, which covers system basics. SAP offers a variety of entry-level certifications, including SAP Certified Application Associate for different modules such as Finance (FI) or Materials Management (MM).

There are many free and paid online resources that can help you learn the basics of ERP systems. Websites like Trailhead (for NetSuite) or openSAP offer structured learning paths. YouTube and LinkedIn Learning also host introductory courses for beginners.

Gain Hands-On Experience

Certifications are valuable, but real-world experience is even more important. If you are already working in an organisation that uses an ERP system, speak to your manager about shadowing the internal IT or ERP support team. Volunteering to help with system testing, training, or user documentation can give you a better understanding of how these systems are used in practice.

Alternatively, consider applying to smaller consultancies or companies who are open to training junior talent. While the roles may be less specialised at first, you will often get a broader range of experience and quicker exposure to implementation work.

Get Involved in the ERP Community

Joining online communities and attending local ERP events or webinars can help you learn more about the industry and stay up to date with new developments. These networks are also great places to find mentors, job opportunities, and training tips.

Platforms like LinkedIn have dedicated groups for NetSuite and SAP professionals where junior candidates can ask questions, join discussions, and stay informed. Recruiters and hiring managers often take note of candidates who show curiosity and initiative in this way.