Local Implementation Manager (LIM) - SAP Transformation

About the role

A large-scale SAP transformation program is underway to reshape automotive operations, and the company is looking for an experienced Local Implementation Manager (LIM). The LIM acts as the key link between business stakeholders and the SAP Programme Team, ensuring operational, regulatory and business requirements are aligned. The role coordinates business requirements, stakeholder engagement, testing, training, data readiness and go-live preparation, and is accountable for local business readiness, risk management, stakeholder alignment and post-go-live stabilization.

Key responsibilities

• Gather, validate and prioritize business requirements, capture local operational, regulatory, tax and compliance needs, and promote SAP standard processes while managing approved local exceptions
• Serve as the primary business contact for the SAP programme, engage senior leaders, process owners and key users, and communicate impacts, milestones and dependencies
• Own the business readiness plan, track readiness milestones, risks and deliverables, and make sure resources are available for workshops, testing, training and cutover
• Lead local change management, coordinate training, and support post-go-live process compliance
• Coordinate data cleansing and validation, ensure data quality and business sign-off before migration, and support migration readiness checkpoints
• Lead UAT readiness and execution, coordinate defect management and resolution tracking, and obtain business sign-off
• Lead business cutover planning, coordinate go-live support, and support hypercare and the transition to steady state
• Identify implementation risks, escalate critical issues to leadership and programme governance, and track mitigation plans

Required profile

• At least one full SAP rollout, from design to hypercare, as LIM, key user lead or functional consultant
• Previous experience as a Local Implementation Manager, SAP Functional Consultant, Key User Lead, Business Transformation Lead or similar
• Automotive dealership experience preferred; UAE/GCC experience preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field (Master's is an advantage)

Required skills

• Working knowledge of SAP SD, SAP VSS and SAP C4C processes is highly desirable
• Understanding of business operations, process improvement and change management
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, able to influence senior leaders without direct authority
• Proven experience coordinating testing, training, data readiness and operational transitions