Job Overview

Leads the indirect procurement function for assigned categories and suppliers in Japan, with accountability for cost competitiveness, service quality, supplier performance, business continuity, and process excellence. This role develops and executes category sourcing strategies, strengthens supplier capability, and partners closely with business functions, operations, finance, legal, and global procurement teams to deliver business results and support long-term growth.

• Build an integrated and competitive supply base that supports business growth, operational resilience, and long-term indirect procurement effectiveness.
• Drive procurement process improvements that increase effectiveness, efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction across the organization.
• Own key supplier performance metrics for productivity, service quality, delivery, compliance, and risk management across the assigned supply base.
• Establish long-term category strategies and supplier footprint plans for indirect materials and services, such as MRO, facilities, logistics, professional services, IT, and other assigned categories.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to identify demand-management, cost-reduction, and value-creation opportunities and develop high-performing, cost-competitive suppliers.
• Develop the indirect procurement organization and capabilities to support short-term and long-term business needs.

Collaborate with center-led and global procurement teams to maximize leverage, standardize best practices, and support enterprise procurement objectives.

Job Requirements

1) Competences & Skills 

• Robust indirect sourcing or procurement experience in automotive, industrial manufacturing, or a similarly complex multinational environment
• Strong leadership and commercial acumen to deliver cost savings, demand optimization, supplier risk management, contract compliance, and other procurement results
• Excellent coaching and team development capability, with experience managing a mid-sized or large team
• Solid communication, influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills with senior leadership and cross-functional partners
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken, to collaborate effectively in a global environment

2) Experience 

• Minimum 7-8 years of experience in indirect sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles within the automotive, manufacturing, or multinational corporate environment
• Demonstrated experience in category strategy, supplier negotiations, contract management, competitive bidding, supplier development, and cross-functional project support is preferred

3)Education 

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field
• Engineering or business-related majors are preferred

What your background should look like

Generally requires Bachelors degree in appropriate field with 12 or more years of experience; or Masters degree with 10 or more years of experience; or PhD level with 6 or more years of experience; or local equivalent