Job Description:
Business Overview
Rakuten Group provides more than 70 services in a wide range of fields, including e-commerce, travel, digital content, and other Internet services in Japan and overseas, as well as financial services such as credit cards, banking, securities, electronic money, and smartphone app payments, mobile services such as mobile carrier services, and professional sports. By organically linking these services through a membership system centered on Rakuten members, Rakuten has created a unique “Rakuten ecosystem” that is unlike any other.
*Our Businesses Key Figures
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/services/
Department Overview
Procurement Operations Supervisory Department was established in January 2024 with the aim of promoting the standardization of procurement processes across the Rakuten Group and, through that standardization, achieving smoother business processes and stronger governance.
The division is responsible for rolling out policies and frameworks across all domestic and overseas group companies, as well as driving continuous improvement initiatives related to procurement operations. In a group like Rakuten that operates multiple businesses, it is an organization that delivers cross-functional value from a position close to top management.
This opening is for the Operations Planning Section, one of the four sections within the Procurement Operations Supervisory Department.
The Operations Planning Section is a dynamic, cross-functional team that plays a central role in “designing” standardization for procurement operations across the Rakuten Group, “embedding” it with stakeholders, and “establishing and driving” it as part of ongoing operations.
Position:
Why We Hire
The Operations Planning Section aims to build an operating foundation that functions stably across the entire group by taking end-to-end ownership of the design, rollout, and operational execution of procurement operations standardization.
Because each business and each company has different circumstances, achieving both procurement process standardization and stronger governance requires more than simply rolling out rules-it demands strong drive to move operations forward while staying close to stakeholders. To date, the Operations Planning Section has supported operational adoption by maintaining close communication with frontline teams and moving initiatives forward with a strong sense of speed.
Looking ahead, with an expansion of scope and stakeholders in mind, we aim to strengthen our talent pipeline by hiring individuals who can drive planning and execution now and grow into future team leaders.
Appeal of the business/organizational phase
We are in the launch-to-expansion phase of standardizing and consolidating procurement processes across the entire group. While a certain set of rules and mechanisms is already being put in place, the real work is just beginning in terms of expanding the scope (target areas and companies) and further enhancing operational maturity. Rather than simply “running what has already been decided,” a key feature of this position is the opportunity to proactively engage in growing the framework and shaping what comes next.
Appeal of autonomy and organizational culture
You will not only execute predetermined initiatives, but also take end-to-end ownership-from identifying issues and designing solutions, to coordinating with stakeholders and driving operational adoption. While roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, individuals are given substantial autonomy, providing an environment where you can turn ideas (“this would be better”) into reality by involving relevant stakeholders. There are also opportunities to prepare approval materials for senior management and to report directly, allowing you to work with a perspective close to leadership.
In addition, the culture emphasizes speed and execution. While operating on the premise of compliance, rules, and governance, the team values going beyond desk-based design and translating it into operations that actually work in the field.
Career steps (skills gained and career paths)
The experience gained in this position is not limited to a typical “procurement professional” or “purchasing specialist.” While using procurement as an entry point, you will be involved in cross-group business process design and operational improvement. Specifically, you can gain experience in:
- Designing and improving end-to-end business operations, including procurement processes
- Structurally reviewing operations based on KPIs and operational data
- Serving a BizOps-like role that connects business units, corporate functions, and senior management
- Supporting decision-making from a management perspective, premised on balancing governance/internal controls with execution
As a result, future career options may include:
- Leader/manager roles in operations improvement or the BizOps domain
- Cross-functional planning and execution roles beyond procurement
- “Procurement/operations planning close to management,” in collaboration with corporate planning/strategy functions
A major feature of this position is that it enables career development not constrained by the word “procurement,” allowing you to broaden your next steps into roles that support the business and management through system-building and business transformation.
Position Details
In this role, you will work on procurement operations across Rakuten Group businesses—organizing the actual state of on-the-ground operations and driving initiatives end-to-end, from designing and improving standard processes to ensuring operational adoption in collaboration with relevant departments.
Key responsibilities
- Design, standardize, and improve business processes across end-to-end procurement operations
- Drive group-wide implementation of the procurement system (primarily SAP Ariba) and promote in-house capability building/internalization
- Design and improve controls from an internal control and governance perspective, based on risks in business processes such as procurement, payment, and goods receipt/inspection
- Design and develop the supplier selection process (selection flow, decision criteria, and approval process)
- Communicate and explain the designed policies/processes to each business and group company, and drive adoption through real cases/projects
- Continuously improve overall procurement operations, including P2P process consolidation and centralized procurement initiatives
Work Environment
Organization Structure
- Headcount: Procurement Operations Supervisory Department: approx. 100 people / Operations Planning Section: approx. 30 people
- Age range: Mainly in their 20s to 30s
- New graduate vs. mid-career ratio: New graduates: Mid-career = 3 : 7
Backgrounds of mid-career hires
- Worked at a full-service advertising agency handling clients in the real estate and food & beverage retail industries, running promotions using mass advertising and sales promotion (SP). After joining Rakuten, worked in digital marketing sales at Rakuten Marketing and then in quality management at Rakuten Mobile. Currently serves as a manager in the Operations Planning Section, responsible for people and organizational management.
- Handled overseas sales of iron ore at a specialized trading company and engaged in trade operations. Later in Korea, worked at a foreign-owned outsourcing company in customer service and NPS management, among other duties. After joining Rakuten, currently works as a manager responsible for organizational management and PMO activities.
- At a general trading company, handled import operations for food ingredients and proposal-based sales of in-vehicle electrical components to an automotive manufacturer. Later joined a consulting firm and participated in projects across various industries and domains, including SCM transformation and operational efficiency improvement. Currently works as a manager of a team mainly driving procurement-related projects.
- At a comprehensive interior design firm, I was involved in sales support and procurement operations for products targeting commercial environments. After working in procurement management and sourcing at Rakuten Mobile, I joined the Operations Planning Department, where I am currently responsible for PMO activities related to the consolidation of P2P processes and the implementation of Ariba, as well as team management.
Examples of career paths of successful mid-career hires
- After working on operations improvement, transferred to planning and sales for Rakuten Ichiba.
- After working on a project to build and refine operational KPIs for the organization, transferred to business planning within the group.
Mandatory Qualifications:
- At least 5 years of professional work experience
- Native-level Japanese proficiency
- At least 3 years of experience in one or more of the following: operations improvement at an operating company; client support at a B2B company such as a consulting firm or agency; proposal-based/solution-based sales; involvement in designing or improving business processes or policies based on internal controls (e.g., J-SOX, business process controls, IT controls); or procurement-related work such as sourcing, planning, and management
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience driving the design and improvement of business processes and/or policies while coordinating with relevant departments
- Experience working with ERP/business systems (e.g., SAP Ariba)
- Business-level English proficiency
Desired profile
- Communicates in a bright, approachable manner, and can take action while being sensitive to subtle cues from counterparts (as the role involves communication with a wide range of internal/external stakeholders and senior management)
Other Information:
Additional information on Location
Rakuten Crimson House
1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Related Pages
- Employee Benefits: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/benefit/
- Employee Conditions: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/information/
- Culture: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/culture/
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