JinJin48

SAP Consultant | BTP · S/4HANA · US Global Rollout

June 21, 2026 · 27 min read

SAP MM Material Master

The Material Master is the most fundamental and most critical master data object in SAP MM. Every procurement, inventory, production, sales, and accounting transaction traces back to this master. This article covers the Material Master’s structure, views, organizational levels, and integration points.

Part 1: Material Master — Core Concepts (All Modules)#

1.1 What Is the Material Master?#

The Material Master is the central repository that stores all information about every material (item/product) a company handles — raw materials, semi-finished goods, finished products, consumables, and everything else that flows through the enterprise.

1.2 Three Defining Axes: Material Type × Industry Sector × Views#

The structure of a Material Master record is determined by the combination of three axes:

Important: Once created, Material Type and Industry Sector cannot be changed as a general rule. Lock these in during design.

1.3 Key Material Types#

1.4 View Structure#

The Material Master is divided into department-specific Views. Only the views required by each department need to be extended. Approximately 30 standard views exist; the views to extend are selected based on Material Type and business requirements.

1.5 Organizational Levels and Data Hierarchy#

Each view stores its data at a different organizational level. This is the core design challenge of the Material Master.

Client (300)
   │
   ├── Basic Data, Classification ← Client-level (one record for entire enterprise)
   │
   ├── Plant (1000, 2000, ...)
   │      │
   │      ├── MRP, Purchasing, Work Scheduling ← Plant-level
   │      │
   │      ├── Storage Location (0001, 0002, ...)
   │      │      └── Storage Data ← Storage Location-level
   │      │
   │      └── Warehouse Number (WH1, ...)
   │             └── WM Data ← Warehouse-level
   │
   ├── Valuation Area = Plant ← Accounting is typically at Plant level
   │      └── Valuation class, Standard cost
   │
   └── Sales Org × Distribution Channel
          └── Sales Data ← Sales Org-level

Part 2: MM-Specific View Details (MM Module)#

2.0 All Views × MM Involvement#

The Material Master has approximately 30 standard views. The table below clarifies the scope MM consultants need to own.

Legend: ◎ = Owner / Critical, ○ = Direct involvement, △ = Reference / Integration, × = Other module owns, — = Display-only view

The following sections cover all views rated △ or above in MM involvement.

2.1 Basic Data View#

The first view created for every material — shared across the enterprise. Defines the material’s core identity.

2.2 Purchasing View#

Plant-level. Controls purchasing operation behavior.

2.3 Purchase Order Text View#

This view manages long-form text stored in the Material Master and auto-printed on purchase orders for supplier communication.

2.4 MRP Views (Material Requirements Planning): Four Screens#

The deepest area in MM-A02. MRP 1–4 together determine the bulk of the procurement logic.

MRP 1#

MRP 2#

MRP 3#

MRP 4#

2.5 Forecasting View#

Used in combination with MRP Type = VV (Forecast-Based Planning). Projects future demand from historical consumption and feeds it into MRP requirements. Particularly effective for consumer goods, seasonal items, and high-demand-variability materials.

2.6 Work Scheduling View#

Primarily used for in-house produced materials (FERT/HALB).

2.7 General Plant Data / Storage View#

Defines plant-level inventory management and storage conditions. This is the starting point for storage environment (temperature, hazardous materials), material status, and shelf life management. A mandatory design area for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical projects.

2.8 Warehouse Management Views (WM/EWM)#

In EWM environments, managed via /SCWM/MAT1 (Decentralized) or /SCWM/MAT_* for integrated setups. For classic WM only, data is maintained directly in the Material Master.

2.9 Quality Management View#

Controls goods receipt inspection, goods issue inspection, and re-inspection during storage in integration with the QM module. When QM Procurement Active is enabled, an Inspection Lot is automatically generated at goods receipt.

2.10 Accounting Views 1/2 (Finance)#

The most critical view in terms of financial posting impact.

Accounting 1#

Accounting 2#

2.11 Costing Views 1/2 (Controlling)#

Controls standard cost rollup, release, and variance analysis in integration with the CO module. Particularly important for in-house produced materials (FERT/HALB). Holds the prerequisite settings for cost estimates run from BOM × Routing (CK40N).

2.12 Sales Views (SD)#

Owned by the SD module but maintained in the Material Master.

Sales: Sales Org 1/2#

Sales: General/Plant#

2.13 Classification View#

Assigns Classes and Characteristics to materials. Forms the foundation for material search, batch management, and Variant Configuration. Class Type determines whether Material (001), Batch (023), or VC (200) is used.

2.14 Foreign Trade Views#

Manages customs, country of origin, and tariff classification data for import and export. Starting point for auto-generation of export documents, FTA preferential tariff determination, and hazardous goods regulations (EHS integration). A mandatory design area for global projects.

What to Read Next#

L1) Big Picture

L2-A) Master Data

L2-B) Transaction