How to Hire SAP Technical Consultants in Bangalore's Competitive Market
- Saransh Garg
- Jul 26
- 7 min read
If you’ve landed here, you’re likely part of a mid-to-large-sized company or an MNC gearing up to hire SAP technical consultants in Bangalore. Whether you're expanding your SAP team for an ongoing S/4HANA migration, looking to build a Center of Excellence (CoE), or simply struggling to find qualified consultants with deep technical expertise, you're not alone. The Bangalore hiring market for SAP specialists is one of the most cutthroat in India, and it’s only getting more competitive.
You’ve probably already experienced it: an endless stream of CVs, interview no-shows, counteroffers flying left and right, and consultants who look great on paper but can’t debug a simple RFC call in ABAP. Sound familiar? If so, you’re exactly who I wrote this article for.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what you really need to know before you attempt to hire SAP technical consultants in Bangalore, based on how we’ve helped dozens of firms like yours make successful, high-quality hires.
Why Is It So Hard to Hire SAP Technical Consultants in Bangalore Right Now?
The demand for SAP experts, especially those with ABAP, SAP UI5/Fiori, BASIS, PI/PO, and S/4HANA skills is skyrocketing in Bangalore. With the city being home to the largest number of SAP practices in India, everyone from global product firms to Tier 1 service providers is in the race.
But here’s the kicker: the number of truly qualified consultants hasn’t grown at the same pace.
You’re competing with:
MNCs scaling their in-house SAP teams for global rollouts.
SAP partners who are constantly poaching for ongoing client projects.
Startups offering remote flexibility and stock options.
And let’s not forget the local dynamics: many top consultants in Bangalore have 2–3 offers at any given point. Hiring decisions happen fast, or not at all.
That’s why you need a strategy, not just a job description.
Quick Tip: If you’re hiring for ABAP and UI5 consultants, you may also want to look into candidates with strong JavaScript and OData API experience. These skills have been in high demand in recent client builds.
What Kind of SAP Technical Consultants Are You Actually Hiring?
Before you even begin writing a job spec or opening the position on your ATS, I want you to pause and ask: what exact roles are we hiring for?
Many hiring teams lump all "technical" SAP roles under one umbrella, but in reality, there’s a vast difference between hiring for:
SAP ABAP Developers vs. SAP Fiori/UI5 Consultants
SAP BASIS Administrators vs. SAP PI/PO Integration Specialists
S/4HANA Conversion Experts vs. SAP BTP Technical Architects
Being clear on the actual work you want done : enhancements, custom module builds, middleware integrations, platform migrations, will help you craft better job descriptions and source more targeted talent.
At Exlcareer, when clients first come to us, they often have a very broad SAP technical JD. We help them refine it down to the exact competencies they need. One client recently came in wanting a BASIS + HANA + Security profile. We recommended splitting it into two roles. The result? Two solid hires within 3 weeks each doing exactly what they were best at.
Hiring for SAP in Bangalore: 5 Real Challenges You’ll Face (and What We Do Differently)
Every week, we work with firms struggling to fill SAP tech positions. Here are the real-world challenges we solve, and how we approach them differently:
Too Many Passive Candidates: 80% of the top SAP consultants aren’t actively job hunting. They respond only to highly personalized outreach. We don’t spam resumes, we network directly with known talent.
Counteroffer Culture: Bangalore’s SAP talent market is infamous for counteroffers. We pre-close our candidates by understanding their real motivators: tech stack, team, manager, learning, and location.
Outdated Assessment Models: Most companies test for outdated ABAP or BASIS knowledge. We co-develop modern tech assessments with clients based on their real use cases.
Lead Time to Join: Notice periods in India can stretch to 90 days. We proactively track candidates who’ve already resigned or are in their last 30 days, saving you time.
Mismatch in Role vs. Expectation: Many SAP roles today require hybrid skill sets. For example, an ABAP developer who can also design OData services and Fiori tiles. We help you vet for these blended capabilities.
Want to avoid these common hiring pitfalls? Let’s set up a short call.
What Makes a Bangalore-Based SAP Consultant Truly Stand Out
Not all SAP consultants are built the same. Here’s what we’ve seen separate top-tier consultants from average ones in this region:
Project Diversity: Candidates who’ve worked on multiple modules or across implementation + support have stronger problem-solving skills.
Hands-on Coding: Especially for ABAP, UI5, and Workflow roles, we vet candidates for live coding ability.
Business Context Awareness: Consultants who understand not just how SAP works, but why a certain process matters to business.
Version Expertise: Candidates with recent S/4HANA hands-on experience (especially upgrades and greenfield setups) are gold.
When we evaluate SAP technical talent, we use a custom-built framework based on over 100+ placements made in the last year alone. It includes technical, functional, and behavioral dimensions.
Where to Look: Building the Right Talent Funnel in Bangalore
If you’re relying only on Naukri or LinkedIn job posts to source SAP consultants, you’re playing the short game. Here’s what we suggest instead:
Tap into Consultant Networks: Many SAP developers in Bangalore are in WhatsApp and Telegram groups. We have access to these through our referral-based sourcing model.
Leverage Remote Willingness: A large pool of Tier 2 city consultants are open to remote work with a Bangalore-based company. We recently helped a Noida-based product firm hire 3 senior SAP UI5 consultants from Hyderabad and Pune.
Connect via Community Events: SAP Inside Tracks (SIT) and TechEd are great spots to build relationships with talent. We regularly attend and sponsor local SAP events in Bangalore.
Building your SAP talent funnel from scratch can take months.
We already have it built. Let’s talk
Why Bangalore SAP Consultants Expect More, And How You Should Respond
Here’s the truth: if you’re hiring in Bangalore, you’re not just selling a job, you’re selling a growth story.
Top SAP consultants want:
Modern project environments (S/4HANA, Fiori apps, BTP, etc.)
Up-to-date development stacks and collaborative dev teams
Clear career paths and learning opportunities
When we position your role to candidates, we don’t just send a JD. We present a narrative around your team’s goals, the role’s technical roadmap, and the learning curve. That positioning can make or break an offer.
One example: We helped a global manufacturing MNC reframe their SAP PI/PO role into a Platform Integration Architect role, which led to 4X more qualified applicants in 2 weeks.
How We Help MNCs Hire SAP Technical Consultants in Bangalore
At Exlcareer, our recruitment model is tailored for companies like yours : mid to large-sized firms who need high-quality SAP consultants fast.
Here’s what we do differently:
Hyper-Specialized Recruiters: Our SAP hiring pods are led by domain specialists, not generalists.
Live Coding + Tech Evaluation: We run our own SAP code assessments for ABAP/UI5 candidates.
Candidate Storytelling: We don’t just forward CVs. We explain candidate strengths, project relevance, and role match.
Offer Closing & Onboarding Support: We stay with you through the final onboarding day, managing drop-offs, buybacks, and documentation.
Need urgent help hiring SAP technical consultants in Bangalore? Drop us a line now.
Hiring SAP technical consultants in Bangalore isn’t just a recruitment challenge. It’s a capability building exercise. The consultants you hire now will shape how resilient, flexible, and scalable your SAP ecosystem becomes in the next few years.
And with the market moving fast, every week you delay is a risk, of lost productivity, extended project timelines, and weaker internal morale.
If you want to move quickly and correctly, let’s start the conversation. Drop us a message.
FAQs -
● What qualifications should I look for when hiring SAP technical consultants in Bangalore?Look for candidates with strong experience in SAP modules (ABAP, BASIS, HANA), hands-on implementation knowledge, and relevant certifications. In Bangalore’s fast-moving tech market, domain-specific experience in industries like BFSI or manufacturing is a plus.
● Why is it so hard to find skilled SAP technical consultants in Bangalore?
Bangalore has a high demand for SAP experts but a limited supply of truly project-ready, certified professionals. Many top consultants are locked into long-term contracts or international assignments, making hiring extremely competitive.
● How much do SAP technical consultants typically cost to hire in Bangalore?
Rates vary based on module expertise, certification, and experience. On average, freelance consultants charge ₹8–₹15 lakhs annually, while permanent hires in product companies or MNCs can cost even more due to intense competition.
● How long does it take to hire SAP technical experts in Bangalore?
Without the right hiring channels, it can take 4 to 8 weeks or more to secure top talent. Partnering with niche hiring experts like Exlcareer can shorten your hiring cycle to just 7–14 business days.
● Should I hire freelance or full-time SAP consultants for my project?
It depends on your scope. For short-term implementations or upgrades, freelance SAP consultants work well. But for continuous support, internal innovation, or transformation, a full-time hire brings long-term value.
● What are the top SAP modules in demand in Bangalore right now?
SAP ABAP, SAP BASIS, SAP FICO, SAP HANA, and SAP S/4HANA are in high demand across startups, IT service firms, and GCCs in Bangalore. Skills in SAP integration (PI/PO) and SAP BTP are also gaining popularity.
● How do I assess the technical skills of an SAP consultant during interviews?
Use scenario-based problem-solving tasks, real-time system debugging assessments, and SAP case studies. Or let Exlcareer handle the technical screening with SAP-certified experts on your behalf.
● What’s the best way to speed up SAP technical hiring in Bangalore?
Avoid generic job portals. Instead, use specialized recruitment partners like Exlcareer who maintain pre-vetted SAP talent pools, fast-track interviews, and understand niche role requirements in real time.
● Can I hire SAP consultants remotely from other cities instead of Bangalore?
Yes. With remote work now normalized, you can source SAP talent from across India. However, hiring from Bangalore ensures better access to enterprise-experienced professionals, especially if you need occasional onsite availability.
● How does Exlcareer help in hiring SAP consultants faster than in-house HR?
Exlcareer specializes in tech hiring for competitive markets like Bangalore. We offer ready-to-interview SAP profiles, conduct pre-screening, and drastically reduce your hiring time, without compromising on quality.
