GR Intérim & Recrutement, a recruitment consultancy specializing in bilingual and bicultural professionals, is seeking for one of its clients a highly motivated IT Project Manager / Future Head of IT based in Tokyo.
Our client is a renowned French lifestyle and retail brand with a strong international presence and continued growth in Japan. As part of a major IT transformation program led by its global headquarters, the company is looking for a professional who will play a key role in modernizing its Japanese IT landscape and, in the longer term, take responsibility for the local IT function.
This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic international environment at the intersection of fashion, retail, hospitality, and digital transformation.
Location
? Tokyo, Japan
Position Overview
Reporting to the local management team and working closely with the global IT organization, the successful candidate will initially focus on the implementation of a large-scale IT transformation program in Japan.
Over time, as new systems go live, the role will evolve into the position of Head of IT for Japan, responsible for overseeing the local IT environment, supporting business operations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
IT Transformation Program (Build Phase)
- Act as the primary local coordinator for IT transformation projects in Japan.
- Serve as the bridge between business teams, headquarters, external vendors, and implementation partners.
- Understand current and future business processes and associated IT requirements.
- Gather, document, and translate business needs into project deliverables.
- Support project planning, execution, and progress tracking.
- Assist with system configuration, testing (UAT), user training, and change management activities.
- Ensure effective communication between headquarters and local stakeholders.
- Develop expertise in newly implemented solutions, including ERP, POS, CRM, and logistics systems.
- Help business users gain autonomy and proficiency with new tools and processes.
IT Operations & Systems Management (Run Phase)
- Ensure system availability, performance, and security.
- Manage incidents, service requests, and enhancement initiatives.
- Coordinate relationships with software vendors, system integrators, and external IT partners.
- Establish reporting and performance monitoring dashboards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the application landscape.
- Define and maintain the local IT roadmap aligned with business objectives and budget constraints.
- Support new store and café openings from an IT perspective.
- Travel within Japan when required to support business operations and projects.
Candidate Profile
Education
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in IT project management and IT operations.
- Proven experience managing business-critical systems.
- Experience in retail, multi-site operations, or consumer-facing businesses is highly desirable.
- Experience working in an international environment.
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of enterprise systems architecture.
- Experience with ERP, POS, WMS, CRM, or similar business applications.
- Understanding of retail business processes.
Soft Skills
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
- Service-oriented mindset and proactive problem-solving approach.
Languages
- Native or business-level Japanese.
- Fluent English.
- French is a strong advantage.
Why Join?
- Lead a strategic IT transformation project for a growing international brand.
- Work closely with European headquarters and gain global exposure.
- Take on a high-impact role with a clear path toward becoming Head of IT Japan.
- Join a company operating at the crossroads of fashion, retail, hospitality, and customer experience.
- Enjoy an international, entrepreneurial, and fast-paced environment.
For more information regarding this confidential opportunity, please contact us directly.