Join an established global automotive technology and manufacturing company as an Automotive Procurement Specialist, taking responsibility for supplier performance, procurement operations, supply chain risk management, and cross-functional coordination.
Based in Saitama, you will work closely with local suppliers, internal stakeholders, and international purchasing teams to improve supplier quality, cost, delivery, and service performance. You will identify potential supply chain risks, coordinate corrective actions, and support the implementation of global procurement strategies within the Japanese business.
This opportunity is ideal for a procurement professional looking to develop expertise in automotive purchasing, supplier management, strategic sourcing, supply chain risk management, and global procurement while working in an internationally connected manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Improve the accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness of supplier management and procurement operations.
- Maintain and update supplier evaluations covering quality, cost, delivery, and service performance, identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Identify potential supply chain and supplier risks, develop mitigation plans, and coordinate their implementation with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Monitor supplier issues and corrective actions, ensuring agreed improvements are completed within required timelines.
- Collaborate with international purchasing teams to implement global procurement and sourcing strategies within the Japanese business.
- Participate in cross-functional projects with purchasing, quality, operations, finance, and other departments, recommending practical procurement solutions.
- Support automotive quality-management audits, including preparation and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
- Provide procurement analysis, supplier performance updates, and actionable recommendations to internal stakeholders.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Professional experience working within a manufacturing company.
- Practical understanding of manufacturing operations, procurement, purchasing, supplier management, or supply chain activities.
- Experience coordinating activities with internal departments, suppliers, or other external business partners.
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Soft Skills:
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills for working effectively across purchasing, quality, operations, finance, and other business functions.
- Clear communication and stakeholder-management skills for coordinating with suppliers and internal teams.
- Strong ownership and follow-through when managing supplier issues and corrective actions.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, supplier evaluations, deadlines, and stakeholder requests.
- Analytical thinking with the ability to assess supplier performance and identify potential supply chain risks.
- Proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to recommend practical improvements.
- Flexibility and adaptability within a fast-moving, internationally connected organization.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from different professional and cultural backgrounds.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Fluent professional proficiency for daily communication and coordination with local suppliers and stakeholders.
- English: Intermediate to Business level, approximately TOEIC 600 or above, for collaboration with international purchasing teams and global stakeholders.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- More than 3 years of professional experience in procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or supplier management.
- Experience using SAP or another ERP system within a procurement or manufacturing environment.
- Experience analyzing and presenting procurement or supplier data using Power BI or a comparable business intelligence platform.
- Experience evaluating supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, and service (QCDS) indicators.
- Experience supporting automotive quality-management audits.
- Knowledge of IATF requirements within an automotive or manufacturing environment.
- Experience identifying supply chain risks and coordinating mitigation activities.
- Experience implementing global procurement strategies within a Japanese business environment.
- Experience within the automotive, electronics, or advanced manufacturing industry.
About the Company
Our client is an established global automotive technology and manufacturing company with operations across major international markets. The company develops advanced electronic and mobility-related products for leading vehicle manufacturers.
Its Japanese operations combine strong local manufacturing expertise with access to an extensive international supply, procurement, and technology network. The organization focuses on automotive innovation, manufacturing quality, operational improvement, and global collaboration.
Employees work in a multicultural environment where Japanese teams collaborate closely with regional and global colleagues. The company combines the stability of an established automotive manufacturer with continued investment in technologies supporting the future of mobility.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Take ownership of supplier management and supply chain activities that directly influence automotive manufacturing operations.
- Gain international exposure by collaborating with global purchasing teams and implementing global procurement strategies in Japan.
- Build relationships across purchasing, quality, operations, finance, suppliers, and other key business functions.
- Develop valuable expertise in automotive procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier performance, supply chain risk management, and quality standards.
- Build experience that can support future progression into senior procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or purchasing leadership positions.
- Receive a competitive ¥8M-¥11M annual salary.
- Benefit from a flexible working environment including remote work/WFH, flex time, casual clothing, and minimal overtime, where applicable.
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