Functional Experts are required form initiation and planning stage. If equipped with a thorough understanding of project management methodology and implementation cycle and milestones, they can be instrumental in defining the scope, project plan, training plan, change management plan, resulting in implementation schedule and definition of major project milestones.
Their functional knowledge comes handy in the study of the existing business processes, sometimes referred to “AS IS STUDY”. It involves study of the existing process and identifying key business areas. It is generally followed with the detailed requirement gathering from business key users and mapping them with the SAP capabilities and coming up with the gaps, which cannot be catered through the standard functionality.
They play a major role in designing the Process framework of the SAP system. It involves designing the entire processes, keeping in view ease of data entry from the user perspective.
They can play a vital role in designing the solution and performing many incidental activities like conversion from legacy systems, data migration, testing, user training and post-production support.
You can learn various ERP Roles at the following link:
http://technofunc.com/members-speak/member-articles/technical-functional-technofunctional-roles First you need to shortlist on the ERP Package you want to build your career in. You can decide between Oracle and SAP the best industry ERP softwares. Both these vendors offer specialized coursed for manufacturing process areas. Or you can visit technofunc.com to learn about generalized ERP processes in manufacturing by referring to TFBOK - Technofunctional Body of Knowledge for Manufacturing. The training from vendors are quite expensive and could cost you anywhere starting from 2500 USD for 1 to 2 weeks. There are some other training institutes but the quality offered is not par with that of the vendors themselves. Or you can join ERP Forums and learn about the processes and challenges. Salary offered to you after appropriate functional experience in industry topped up with ERP training, will be quite higher than what you are getting now!
To learn more about ERP Packages Oracle or SAP refer to the link below:
http://technofunc.com/members-speak/member-articles/top-erp-systems-and-erp-vendors-part-1