Senior Supply Chain Operations Manager - Japan & ASEAN

A global automotive and electronic components manufacturer is seeking a Senior Supply Chain Operations Manager to lead end-to-end supply chain management and sales operations across Japan and ASEAN.

Based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa or Kakegawa, Shizuoka, this senior leadership position will oversee five direct reports and a regional organization of approximately 130 employees. You will be responsible for strengthening customer service, delivery reliability, inventory performance, cost efficiency, and overall supply chain resilience.

Reporting directly to the JASEAN Operations Director, you will lead regional supply chain transformation, S&OP, inventory optimization, logistics improvement, and operational excellence while developing high-performing teams across Japan and ASEAN.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead supply chain management and sales operations across Japan and ASEAN.
• Improve customer satisfaction, service levels, and on-time delivery performance.
• Lead the resolution of critical customer escalations and service-related issues.
• Ensure timely accounts receivable collection and reduce overdue payments.
• Resolve payment and commercial disputes to support healthy cash flow.
• Identify capacity, supplier, and logistics risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Strengthen regional supply chain resilience and business continuity.
• Lead supply chain cost optimization, logistics improvements, and productivity initiatives.
• Optimize inventory levels and improve inventory turnover.
• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory through effective segmentation and safety stock policies.
• Align inventory strategies with Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), demand variability, and wider business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional projects, organizational change, and regional operational transformation.
• Develop team capabilities and build high-performing supply chain organizations across Japan and ASEAN.
• Monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement through data and performance metrics.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• 15+ years of supply chain management experience.
• End-to-end SCM experience within automotive, automotive components, electronic components, or the broader electronics industry.
• Extensive experience in planning, forecasting, inventory management, and customer service integration.
• Practical experience and working knowledge of SAP.
• People management experience, including leading regional teams and developing team capabilities.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects, change initiatives, and operational transformation.
• Strong experience or knowledge of accounts receivable management, inventory optimization, supply chain risk mitigation, and cost control.
• Bachelor's degree.

Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive organizational change and influence stakeholders across functions.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to align operational priorities with wider business and supply chain objectives.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to build stakeholder alignment in complex situations.
• High level of accountability and execution discipline.
• Strong coaching and employee engagement skills to develop high-performing teams.
• Analytical thinking and a data-driven approach to operational improvement.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for working across regional and global organizations.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Fluent
• English: Fluent

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working for an automotive or electronic components manufacturer.
• Automotive industry experience.
• Proven experience driving logistics optimization and productivity improvements.
• Sales operations experience, including order processing and backlog management.
• Experience managing supply chain operations across multiple countries or markets.
• Experience leading large regional teams or organizations.
• Knowledge of S&OP, inventory segmentation, safety stock strategy, and supply chain resilience.
• Experience collaborating with regional leadership on supply chain strategy and operational transformation.

About the Company

A global company operating in the automotive and electronic components sector, with integrated supply chain and sales operations spanning Japan and ASEAN.

Its regional organization combines planning, forecasting, inventory management, customer service, order management, and logistics to improve delivery performance and operational efficiency. The business supports complex manufacturing supply chains with a strong focus on resilience, continuous improvement, and sustainable regional growth.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Lead a regional organization of approximately 130 employees across Japan and ASEAN.
• Take ownership of end-to-end supply chain and sales operations in a senior leadership position.
• Shape regional supply chain strategy and operational transformation.
• Drive measurable improvements in customer satisfaction, delivery reliability, inventory, cost, and overall business performance.
• Gain direct exposure to regional leadership by reporting to the JASEAN Operations Director.
• Strengthen your expertise across S&OP, inventory optimization, logistics, supply chain resilience, and sales operations.
• Choose between Kakegawa, Shizuoka and Kawasaki, Kanagawa as your work location.
• Enjoy flexible working hours and 129-131 annual holidays.
• Access retirement allowances, employee savings plans, meal allowances, and transportation support.
• Benefit from childcare, maternity, family care, sick leave, and additional personal leave programs.
• Access flexible work arrangements, including remote work/WFH where applicable, casual clothing, minimal overtime, and flex time.

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