Hi, I’m
Portia Thekiso
Senior SAP Authorization Consultant
Pretoria,GP
Summary
Senior SAP Authorizations & GRC Consultant with 20 years of deep, hands-on experience designing enterprise-scale authorization architectures across global SAP landscapes. Proven expertise delivering complex, multi-country SAP rollouts—including BMW markets in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa—spanning ECC, S/4HANA, Fiori, GTS, GRC Access Control, BW/4HANA, and cross-system integration. Recognized for shaping secure SAP role methodologies (Task & Value), optimizing SOD risk posture, enabling Fiori UX transformations, and driving audit-ready security governance. Strong ability to solve complex authorization issues, influence senior stakeholders, lead global teams, and deliver secure, user-centric SAP solutions aligned to regulatory and business requirements.
Overview
20
years of professional experience
1
Certification
1
Language
Work History
BMW GroupPretoria
Senior SAP Authorizations & GRC Consultant
01.2016 - Current
Job overview
- Acted as the lead SAP Security Architect for BMW’s global SAP landscape, overseeing security design across ECC, S/4HANA, Fiori, GTS, BW/4HANA, and cross‑regional template deployments.
- Designed the complete GTS Customs authorization framework for Import, Export, and Transit, including Legal Units, Customs Offices, Declarant roles, and Customs Procedure authorization segmentation.
- Built advanced /SAPSLL/ authorization structures for declaration processing, message handling, SPL screening, and tariff classification.
- Led BMW’s global Task & Value role redesign, standardizing thousands of roles across 20+ countries while reducing duplication and improving audit compliance.
- Implemented global Fiori security architecture including Spaces, Pages, Catalogs, OData services, and backend role mapping across Finance, Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Sales.
- Governed SAP Security for the Global Finance Backbone (GFBB) ensuring secure integration of Finance processes, workflows, analytics, and master data.
- Supported multi-country SAP implementations (Germany, USA, Canada, Mexico, UK, Hungary) delivering UAT leadership, cutover readiness, and hypercare stabilization.
- Managed GRC Access Control integrations, SOD rulebook governance, firefighter processes, and mitigation controls across multiple markets.
- Delivered SAP Security training and advisory to business and IT teams across South Africa, Germany, USA, Canada, and APAC.
BMW GroupPretoria
Senior SAP Authorization Consultant, APAC
01.2022 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Designed SD, MM, PM, WM, and VMS (VELO/VELOS/VELORU) authorization structures for Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia.
- Delivered AS-IS/TO-BE mapping, SOD analysis, UAT cycles, and hypercare support.
- Ensured seamless integration and controlled access across multi-country retail and logistics environments.
- (Wholesale Integration Template Roll Out)
JD GroupJohannesburg
SAP Authorization Team Lead
01.2011 - 01.2014
Job overview
- Delivered SAP Security across ECC, CRM, SRM, BI/BO, POS, and PI systems.
- Designed CRM Business Roles, BI Analysis Authorizations, VIM access design, and retail security structures.
- Implemented Task & Value methodology across enterprise applications.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
- Established clear performance metrics for the team which helped in tracking progress towards set targets effectively.
Transnet Rail EngineeringJohannesburg
SAP Authorization Team Lead
01.2006 - 01.2011
Job overview
- Led Security for ECC, SRM, BW, FI/CO, PM, MM, SD, and Portal systems supporting 10,000+ users.
- Managed provisioning, role governance, audit controls, SOD remediation, and SAP compliance operations.
- Delivered major implementations across BW/BI, SRM, HCM, Release Strategy, and enterprise security remediation programs.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
Education
University of South Africa (UNISA)Pretoria, South Africa
BTECH from Information Technology
03.2019
University of JohannesburgJohannesburg
National Diploma from Computer Systems Engineering
03.2009
Skills
SAP Security Architecture (ECC, S/4HANA, Fiori, BW/4HANA)
SAP GRC Access Control (ARA, ARM, BRM, EAM)
SAP GTS (Customs) Authorization Framework
Global Role Redesign (Task & Value Role Concept)
Fiori Security: Catalogs, Spaces, Pages & OData Services
SOD Risk Management & Audit Governance
Enterprise Security Governance & Control Frameworks
Agile Delivery (Scrum, JIRA, Confluence)
Incident management
Compliance monitoring
Data privacy
Information security
IT governance
Risk reporting
Problem-solving
Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
SAP Authorizations
Timeline
Senior SAP Authorization Consultant, APAC
BMW Group
01.2022 - 01.2023
SAP Authorizations
01-2019
Senior SAP Authorizations & GRC Consultant
BMW Group
01.2016 - Current
SAP Authorization Team Lead
JD Group
01.2011 - 01.2014
SAP Authorization Team Lead
Transnet Rail Engineering
01.2006 - 01.2011
University of South Africa (UNISA)
BTECH from Information Technology
University of Johannesburg
National Diploma from Computer Systems Engineering