Yamato, a leading company in Kanagawa, Japan, is seeking a dedicated Purchasing Officer / Buyer to join their sourcing team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to domestic and international production activities while building valuable skills in procurement, negotiation, and stakeholder management. If you are passionate about procurement and career growth, this position provides the perfect platform to advance your professional journey.
About the Company
Yamato is renowned for its dynamic sourcing department, which collaborates with internal teams and external partners, including suppliers and company-owned factories. The department emphasizes developing procurement professionals who excel in communication, negotiation, and operational excellence. Employees gain exposure to top management across a diverse range of companies, from SMEs to publicly listed enterprises, fostering unparalleled experience and networking opportunities. Yamato also supports flexible working arrangements and career development, enabling employees to pursue certifications like CPP (Certified Purchasing Professional) or Small and Medium Enterprise Consultant qualifications while balancing lifestyle preferences.
Responsibilities
As a Purchasing Officer / Buyer, your key responsibilities will include:
- Handling procurement operations and identifying areas for process improvement with domestic and international stakeholders.
- Managing purchasing tasks for components from Japanese suppliers.
- Coordinating with internal factories and suppliers to ensure smooth procurement processes.
- Procuring production materials, including resin raw materials, non-ferrous metals, and other general production supplies.
- Supplier management and supporting production planning during material shortages.
- Engaging in operational improvement activities with related internal departments.
Requirements
To succeed in this role, candidates should meet the following qualifications:
- Proactive and passionate, able to work as a collaborative team member.
- Strong communication skills, capable of representing the company to internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency or willingness to learn Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Interest in growing through sourcing tasks (prototype and mass production procurement).
- Japanese: Business-level proficiency or higher.
- English: Basic business-level proficiency or a willingness to learn.
Skills
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience in procurement, production management, design, or quality assurance (2+ years preferred).
- Ability to analyze issues from numerical data using Excel functions or macros.
- Dedication to problem-solving and identifying root causes.
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Adaptability and a continuous learning mindset.
Benefits
Yamato provides a supportive environment that encourages both career advancement and work-life balance:
- Opportunities to pursue professional certifications like CPP.
- Exposure to senior management across multiple partner companies.
- Flexible working arrangements, including potential dual-location options (Kanagawa and other regions like Shizuoka or Kagoshima).
- Hands-on learning experience in procurement operations and negotiation, applicable globally.
- A collaborative culture that values innovation, problem-solving, and personal growth.
