We are seeking an experienced Cutover Lead (MES) to drive and manage the end-to-end cutover process for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) implementations. This role is critical to ensuring a seamless transition from project delivery to production go-live by coordinating across manufacturing, IT, operations, and project teams. The ideal candidate brings strong project management expertise, deep MES knowledge, and proven experience leading complex cutover activities in high-impact environments.
Location: Preferably Raynham/Boston, MA (Remote candidates within EST time zone considered)
Duration: 6+ Months
Key Responsibilities
Cutover Planning & Strategy
- Develop and own a comprehensive cutover plan including tasks, dependencies, timelines, and resource allocation tailored to MES deployments
- Define system freeze windows, migration sequences, and go-live strategies
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Lead cutover workshops and align stakeholders across business, functional, technical, and infrastructure teams
- Clearly define ownership, execution steps, and validation checkpoints
Risk & Issue Management
- Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to cutover activities
- Develop contingency, rollback, and recovery plans to ensure business continuity
Execution Oversight
- Oversee all cutover activities including system freeze, data migration, configurations, and technical deployments
- Ensure readiness and alignment across all teams during go-live execution
Testing & Validation
- Plan and manage cutover rehearsals, mock runs, and validation cycles
- Ensure all systems, integrations, and business processes function as expected
Stakeholder Communication
- Act as the central point of communication during cutover execution and go-live
- Provide real-time updates, escalate issues, and support transition to hypercare
Governance & Best Practices
- Ensure adherence to MES standards, governance frameworks, and organizational policies
- Maintain documentation, audit readiness, and compliance standards
Continuous Improvement
- Capture lessons learned and recommend improvements for future MES implementations
Required Qualifications
- Experience:3 8+ years in MES or ERP project delivery with hands-on cutover leadership experience
- MES Expertise:Strong understanding of MES systems, data migration, integrations, and manufacturing workflows
- Project Management:Proven ability to manage complex timelines, dependencies, and cross-functional teams under pressure
- Tools & Technologies:Experience with MES platforms such as SAP S/4HANA MES, Siemens MES, along with tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, ServiceNow, and SAP Solution Manager
- Soft Skills:Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving abilities
Why This Role Matters
The Cutover Lead plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth MES go-live with minimal disruption to manufacturing operations. Success in this role directly impacts production continuity, system stability, data accuracy, and overall program success.
Candidate Note
Applicants should highlight:
- MES-specific cutover and go-live experience
- Leadership in cross-functional coordination
- Proven success in executing large-scale system transitions
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