Test Lead

We are seeking a highly experienced Global Test Lead to oversee and manage the testing lifecycle of a large-scale S4/HANA ERP rollout. The ideal candidate will be a Japanese speaker with bilingual proficiency (Japanese and English), demonstrating strong expertise in SAP implementations, testing strategies, and cross-functional collaboration within complex, multinational environments.

Key Responsibilities

Test Management & Leadership:

• Define, implement, and manage the overall test strategy, including unit, integration, regression, UAT, and performance testing for the S4/HANA rollout.
• Coordinate with global and regional teams to align test plans and execution schedules across multiple geographies and business units.
• Lead test planning, prioritization, and resource allocation to ensure adherence to project timelines and quality standards.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Act as the primary liaison between functional, technical, and business teams to address test requirements, dependencies, and defect resolution.
• Collaborate with business users, key stakeholders, and the PMO to ensure alignment of testing objectives and business needs.
• Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation plans effectively to stakeholders in both Japanese and English.

Test Execution & Quality Assurance:

• Oversee the execution of test cases, scripts, and scenarios, ensuring comprehensive coverage of functional, non-functional, and technical requirements.
• Manage defect triaging, reporting, and resolution to maintain project momentum.
• Ensure compliance with SAP and organizational best practices for testing and quality assurance.

Team Management:

• Lead a global team of testers, ensuring coordination and consistency across onshore, nearshore, and offshore resources.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to team members on testing methodologies, tools and best practices.

Tools & Automation:

• Leverage tools like SAP Solution Manager, Tricentis Tosca, or equivalent for test management and automation.
• Drive initiatives to automate repetitive test cases to improve efficiency and reduce manual efforts.

Risk Management:

• Identify and proactively mitigate risks related to testing, data, or environment readiness.
• Develop contingency plans to address potential testing bottlenecks or delays.

Required Skills & Experience

Mandatory Requirements:

• Preferable Japanese speaker with business-level English proficiency (written and spoken).
• 10+ years of experience in test management for ERP implementations, including at least 3 years with SAP S4/HANA rollouts.
• Strong understanding of SAP modules and end-to-end processes in large-scale ERP deployments.
• Proven ability to work across multinational teams and geographies, managing culturally diverse teams.

Technical Expertise:

• Hands-on experience with test management tools Tricentis Tosca, or similar.
• Knowledge of test automation frameworks and methodologies.
• Familiarity with SAP Solution Manager for test suite management.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in SAP S4/HANA or related modules.
• ISTQB or equivalent testing certification.
• Experience working within regulated industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals, manufacturing).