About the Role:
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced
Purchasing Specialist
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.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

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  End-to-end procurement activities: supplier selection, product selection, price/term negotiation, purchase orders, and delivery scheduling.

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  Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic partner companies.

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  Collaborate with Marketing, Merchandising, and Logistics teams to ensure smooth product launches and inventory availability.

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  Analyze inventory and sales data to optimize purchasing strategies for margin and stock efficiency.

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  Act as a bridge between U.S. headquarters and domestic suppliers.

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  Identify new products and brands based on market trends and customer needs.

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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.).

Qualifications (Required):

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  3 years of practical experience in purchasing/procurement/buyer roles (retail, e-commerce, or wholesale preferred).

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  Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (spoken and written).

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  Understanding of Japanese business practices and negotiation styles.

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  Proven track record in vendor negotiation, cost management, and purchasing planning.

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  Experience making data-driven purchasing decisions, optimizing margins, and managing product life cycles.

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  Experience managing both large-scale and small-scale procurement projects.

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  Understanding of Incoterms, international trade regulations, and cross-border logistics.

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  Strategic decision-making skills using sales and inventory data.

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  Great understanding and passionate in Japanese consumer goods categories (beauty, household items).

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  Experience with supplier onboarding (negotiation, purchase orders, lead times, logistics coordination).

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  Ability to work collaboratively across departments.

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  Leveraging AI tools to improve purchasing efficiency, analysis, and decision-making, with an AI-native mindset toward workflow optimization.

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  Proficient in Excel and ERP/inventory management systems

Preferred Experience:

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  Experience working with Japanese brands or suppliers.

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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.

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  Familiarity with customs, regulatory compliance, and documentation for imported products.

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  Experience managing a procurement or merchandising team.

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  Experience localizing Japanese products for overseas markets, especially for Asian consumers.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

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  Able to think and act strategically with a global perspective.

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  Thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

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  Strong collaborator with internal and external stakeholders.

Salary:
JPY
Â¥4,500,000 – Â¥6,000,000
per year
Final offer will be based on experience and qualifications

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  Full-time employee (with probation period)

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  Location: Tokyo, Toshima-ku (Hybrid negotiable)

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  Working Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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  Benefits: Social insurance, commuting allowance, and more

Holidays & Leave

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  Full two-day weekend (Saturday & Sunday)

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  Public holidays

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  Year-end/New Year holidays