Continuous Improvement Project Manager

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Job details

Company overview

We are the Japanese subsidiary of a U.S.-based international food company, widely operating in the fields of food, pet care, and snacks. We are particularly known for our chocolates, candies, and pet foods. We offer a range of internationally recognized brands to the domestic market, including colorful chocolate candies, snack bars, and pet foods. We are committed to product quality and strive to enhance customer satisfaction while emphasizing sustainable business practices. Specifically, we actively engage in environmental protection and social contribution activities, aiming to coexist harmoniously with local communities. To meet consumer needs, we continuously pursue the development of new products and the improvement of our services.

Responsibilities

This position plays a pivotal role in driving transformation in the company's supply chain, including sourcing optimization, process optimization, and digital transformation. As a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager, he/she leads various global / local projects related to supply chain, including new system installation and CI program lead. He/she is responsible for optimizing supply processes, analytical capability building, and supports improving supply KPIs. This position would be required to come to office at least 40% of working days
Main responsibilities:

• Analysis and CI (Continuous Improvement)
  • Lead Japan sourcing strategy in collaboration with regional/global IE and business team. For specific agenda, conduct wholistic analysis and propose the best scenario with clear statement of pros and cons.
  • Lead supply chain transformation initiatives to optimize end to end (sourcing to demand control) supply) value chain.
  • Identify improvement opportunities to have effective and efficient processes in supply planning operation.
  • Lead portfolio / SKU optimization process with business team (MKTG/Sales/Finance).
  • Improve COGS/earning of product portfolio, collaborating with global team, sourcing unit, and business teams.
  • Contribute to achieve SCM KPI (service Leve, NQC, inventory cash, logistics cost), collaborating with other managers and members in SCM division.
• Digital Project Lead
  • Lead supply chain digital projects (both global / local driven), ensuring successful implementation and alignment with business objectives.
  • Drive digital transformation (process automation and data analytics) in SCM, in collaboration with DT team.
• Team Engagement
  • Contribute to team engagement and talent development of whole SCM team.
  • Contribute to team engagement of transformation team, driving the supply chain transformation as the team.
  • Lead x-functional supply chain transformation projects (listed above) in an engaging way.
• Contribution on work at this company
  • Drive a Productive Way of Working
  • Seek, propose, improve and innovate more effective and efficient ways of working in own area of responsibility in terms of when, where, and how to work.
  • Articulate and escalate challenges and/or issues that require support from upper managers.
  • Effectively understand each other genuinely. Actively listen to stakeholders and check for understanding. Deliver messages concisely by adjusting style and contents to meet various needs of stakeholders.
  • When any gaps are identified, demonstrate a proactive mindset and volunteer to tackle to solve them even beyond own responsibilities.
  • Heighten perspective, collaborate and Influence beyond function and company level by utilizing own expertise area
  • Demonstrate 5 Principles in daily work
• This role closely works with:
  • Regional/global project team (including DT team) to deliver any region/global driven projects.
  • The DT team to get guidance and support on any digital transformation program.
  • Regional/global IE team, MKTG, R&D, Activity Management, Pipeline Planning Mgr to develop sourcing strategy and proposal to meet business requirements.
  • Pipeline Planning Manager, Demand Planning Manager, Logistics Manager, and Logistics Transformation Manager to drive continuous improvements in any supply chain processes and support SCM KPI achievements.
  • Senior Project Manager for all of the activities above.

Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• More than 5 yrs experience in supply chain management
• Experience in project management with x-function, region/global team.
• BA
• English Advanced Level (TOEIC >800)
• Japanese (JLPT N1 level)

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in logistics management is a plus.
• SAP knowledge and any supply planning system are preferred
• Knowledge on PowerBI, MS automation is a plus.

Salary

10 - 14 million yen

Location

Tokyo