Cutover Manager - SAP Implementations

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Cutover Manager to join our team at a leading foreign pharmaceutical company in Tokyo, Japan. The Cutover Manager will be responsible for planning, managing, and executing the cutover phase of system implementations, ensuring a seamless transition from legacy systems to the new solution. This role will work closely with project managers, business stakeholders, IT teams, and other key departments to ensure all cutover activities are completed on time, within scope, and with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end cutover planning and execution for major SAP and IT system implementations, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal business disruption.
• Own and maintain the comprehensive cutover plan, including detailed tasks, milestones, dependencies, timelines, and clear alignment with all impacted stakeholders across business and IT.
• Align and integrate business and IT cutover activities, including defining responsibilities, coordinating execution, and ensuring readiness across all teams.
• Drive business readiness and continuity planning, including market supply measures (e.g., pipeline filling, stockpiling), as well as business ramp-down and ramp-up plans aligned with local senior management.
• Coordinate and lead cutover rehearsals to validate plans, identify risks, and ensure all stakeholders are fully prepared for execution.
• Oversee data migration and system readiness, ensuring integrity, completeness, accuracy, and that all configurations, testing, and validation activities are completed prior to go-live.
• Manage cutover execution globally, leading cutover calls and governance forums, tracking progress, and ensuring successful delivery of all planned activities.
• Act as escalation point for cutover issues, proactively managing risks, resolving problems, and ensuring timely mitigation actions.
• Facilitate communication and reporting, providing clear, structured updates and status reports to project teams, stakeholders, and the Deployment Management Team (DMT).
• Ensure user and business readiness, including completion of training and readiness activities prior to go-live.
• Lead go-live, hypercare, and stabilization phases, including hypercare execution meetings, ramp-up tracking, and ensuring smooth transition to steady-state operations.
• Support project management during cutover, ensuring alignment with overall program delivery and timelines.
• Develop and maintain cutover documentation, including checklists, runbooks, and reporting artifacts, in compliance with regulatory and industry standards (especially within the pharmaceutical sector).
• Lead and guide cutover team members, providing direction and support to ensure effective planning and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Pharmacy, or a related field.
• Proven experience as a Cutover Manager or in a lead/senior project management role with 5+ years of experience managing cutover and transition activities, particularly in SAP or other enterprise systems.
• Strong knowledge of cutover processes, data migration, and go-live activities in the context of large-scale IT implementations.
• Fluent in English and Japanese (spoken and written).
• Experience with SAP implementations (e.g., S/4HANA, ECC) or similar enterprise solutions.
• Expertise in risk management and the ability to mitigate potential issues during the cutover process.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth project execution.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills to address issues that may arise during the cutover phase.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical industry regulations (GxP) and compliance standards is a plus.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or similar project management certification is preferred.

Additional Information

Offered benefits
 

• Great package: We provide a competitive salary and benefits package, along with an outstanding work environment that fosters long-term career development opportunities.
• People Focus: Unite with the best global talent in life sciences, empowered to grow and collaborate in a vibrant environment.
• Truly Global: Join a truly global organization where mutual support, teamwork, and diversity drive our collective success.
• Grow Your Skills: Join regular workshops, academies and trainings - inhouse workshops und trainings (optional)
• Invest in Your Learning: Access CHF 1,500 (approx. 280k JPY) annually for professional development

Corporate culture and work life balance
 

• Flat hierarchies: Speak your mind and grow with close mentoring by senior leaders
• Remote workstyle: Work from anywhere in Japan (if client project allows)
• Working location: Temp office in Shinbashi
• Work flex: Enjoy 25 days of flexibility to work from your preferred global location (under client’s permission)
• Time Off: Take the time you need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance, with flexibility beyond standard holiday allowances.
• Annual vacations: 20 days
• Connect as a Team: We use our team’s integration budget to meet, collaborate, and bond
• Celebrate Your Birthday: Receive a special gift from Fusion on your birthday
• Anniversary bonus program: Receive substantial bonuses on special work anniversaries (5, 10, 15 years)
• Bonus programs: 10% annual performance bonus, based on company KPIs.
• Refer Talent reward program (up to Director) : Offers bonusses if your referral is hired by Fusion
• Truly Global: Join a truly global organization where mutual support, teamwork, and diversity drive our collective success.