Supplier Management, Leader Candidate - Procurement Operations Department, Procurement Operations Supervisory Department

Business Overview

Rakuten Group's fundamental management philosophy is to "empower" people and society through innovation. With over 70 diverse services, including e-commerce services such as "Rakuten Ichiba" and "Rakuten Travel," financial services such as "Rakuten Bank," and professional sports, we aim to fulfill this mission.

Department Overview

Join Rakuten Group, Inc. Procurement Operations Department to drive cost optimization and strengthen governance across all group procurement activities through process standardization. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to large-scale, impactful projects, as we plan to extend our standardization efforts from domestic operations to our overseas group companies within the next few years, shaping the future of global procurement at Rakuten.

Position:

Why We Hire

Within our procurement operations, the supplier vetting process-which involves selecting new external suppliers-is one of the most critical processes from a compliance perspective, enabling the Rakuten Group to confidently pursue new business opportunities and achieve its mission. As strengthening the organization responsible for this process is essential for standardizing procurement procedures across the entire Rakuten Group, we are seeking talented individuals who can drive supplier vetting and related tasks with a strong sense of responsibility.

Position Details

- New Supplier screening and registration processes for new external suppliers
- Existing Supplier Information
- Supplier Review & Re-evaluation
- Procurement Policy Implementation
- Manual Development
- Internal Helpdesk Support
- Subcontract Act Compliance Review

*Please note that this role focuses on supplier audit and management to maintain and strengthen procurement governance across the group, rather than traditional "cost-reduction negotiation." You will play a critical role in safeguarding the group's reputation by making objective decisions based on internal regulations and compliance standards in response to requests from various departments.

Work Environment

- Procurement Operations Department: Approximately 80 members.
- Purchasing Operations Section (within the department): Approximately 30 members.
*The Procurement Operations Department is currently undergoing expansion and strengthening of its organization in line with the group-wide standardization of procurement operations.

Mandatory Qualifications:

- Experience in administrative or management roles related to B2B transactions (e.g., Procurement, Purchasing, Accounting, Legal, or General Affairs).

Note: Prior expertise in procurement is not required; we welcome candidates with experience in any of the above fields.
- Integrity and a strong sense of ethics.

You should be able to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, explaining the rationale behind organizational rules to ensure compliance while maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation.
- A user-oriented mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement (PDCA).

We are looking for someone who consistently evaluates existing operations and proactively identifies opportunities for optimization.

Desired Qualifications:

- Experience in supplier auditing/evaluation.
- Experience working in a global corporate environment.
- Business-level proficiency in English.
- Ability to maintain a strong balance between speed and strict compliance.

- Candidates with leadership experience* (company size is not a factor).

Other Information:

Additional information on Location

Rakuten Crimson House

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