Purchasing Specialist – Japanese Non-Food Division

About the Role:
<\/span><\/span><\/b> We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced<\/span><\/span> Purchasing Specialist <\/span><\/span><\/b>to drive category growth in Japanese products, primarily in the non\-food (beauty, lifestyle) sector. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in procurement, merchandising, and vendor management, particularly in non\-food, and ideally experience in cross\-border business with the U.S.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

In this role, you will maximize margins and optimize inventory performance by identifying strategic sourcing opportunities, building strong supplier relationships, and developing and executing effective purchasing strategies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Key Responsibilities:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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• End\-to\-end procurement activities: supplier selection, product selection, price/term negotiation, purchase orders, and delivery scheduling.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic partner companies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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• Collaborate with Marketing, Merchandising, and Logistics teams to ensure smooth product launches and inventory availability.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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• Analyze inventory and sales data to optimize purchasing strategies for margin and stock efficiency.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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• Act as a bridge between U.S. headquarters and domestic suppliers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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• Identify new products and brands based on market trends and customer needs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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• Research trends and new opportunities in Japanese products.
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• Drive cross\-functional projects with internal teams (Marketing, Creative, Operations, etc.).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  Qualifications (Required):<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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  • 3 years of practical experience in purchasing/procurement/buyer roles (retail, e\-commerce, or wholesale preferred).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Business\-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (spoken and written).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Understanding of Japanese business practices and negotiation styles.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Proven track record in vendor negotiation, cost management, and purchasing planning.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Experience making data\-driven purchasing decisions, optimizing margins, and managing product life cycles.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Experience managing both large\-scale and small\-scale procurement projects.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Understanding of Incoterms, international trade regulations, and cross\-border logistics.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Strategic decision\-making skills using sales and inventory data.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Great understanding and passionate in Japanese consumer goods categories (beauty, household items).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Experience with supplier onboarding (negotiation, purchase orders, lead times, logistics coordination).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Leveraging AI tools to improve purchasing efficiency, analysis, and decision\-making, with an AI\-native mindset toward workflow optimization.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Proficient in Excel and ERP/inventory management systems <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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    Preferred Experience:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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    • Experience working with Japanese brands or suppliers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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    • Experience in global companies collaborating with Japanese brands.
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    • Knowledge of import/export terms, international logistics, and vendor management.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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    • Familiarity with customs, regulatory compliance, and documentation for imported products.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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    • Experience managing a procurement or merchandising team.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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    • Experience localizing Japanese products for overseas markets, especially for Asian consumers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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      Ideal Candidate Profile:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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      • Able to think and act strategically with a global perspective.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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      • Thrive in a fast\-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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      • Strong collaborator with internal and external stakeholders.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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        Salary: <\/span><\/span><\/b>JPY <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>¥4,500,000 \u2013 ¥6,000,000 per year\nFinal offer will be based on experience and qualifications <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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        Employment Type & Other Details:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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        • Full\-time employee (with probation period)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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        • Location: Tokyo, Toshima\-ku (Hybrid negotiable)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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        • Working Hours: 9:00 AM \u2013 6:00 PM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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        • Benefits: Social insurance, commuting allowance, and more<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Holidays & Leave<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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          • Full two\-day weekend (Saturday & Sunday)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          • Public holidays<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          • Year\-end/New Year holidays<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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