Job Description:
Business Overview
Rakuten Group, Inc. is the largest e-Commerce company in Japan, and provides a variety of services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to many users all over the world.
Department Overview
The Rakuten Search team creates powerful, customer-focused search. Whenever a customer visits an Rakuten services and types in a query or browses through product categories, the Rakuten Search services go to work. We design, develop, and deploy high performance, fault-tolerant distributed search systems used by millions of Rakuten customers every day. Our Search product management team works with key business like Ichiba to commerce user facing user experience.
Position:
Position Details
We are seeking a Product Manager to spearhead the ongoing enhancement of our search user experience and functionality in Ichiba. This role involves developing and executing a product roadmap aimed at optimizing search functionalities, ensuring that our users can quickly find relevant products and information. Fluency in Japanese is essential, as a key aspect of this position is collaborating with Japanese-speaking stakeholders and understanding local market nuances.
Key Responsibilities
Product Strategy & Roadmap
- Define and maintain the product vision and strategy for search-related features.
- Develop and prioritize a product roadmap that aligns with the company’s objectives and user needs.
- Conduct market and competitive analysis, especially focusing on the Japanese e-commerce landscape.
User Research & Insights
- Conduct user research (including Japanese-speaking user groups), analyze feedback, and translate insights into actionable product improvements.
- Work closely with the analytics team to measure search performance (e.g., conversion, click-through rates) and continuously optimize based on data-driven insights.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary liaison between cross-functional teams (engineering, design, marketing, customer support), ensuring smooth communication and alignment of goals.
- Engage with Japanese-speaking stakeholders to understand requirements and address concerns specific to the Japanese market.
- Present product updates, progress reports, and future plans to leadership and relevant stakeholders on a regular basis.
Project Management & Execution
- Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from conception to launch, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outputs.
- Define success metrics, monitor key performance indicators, and iterate product features based on performance data and user feedback.
Mandatory Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
- 3-5+ years of experience in product management, with a proven track record in search or recommendation systems for e-commerce or related industries.
Language Skills
- Fluency in Japanese (both written and spoken) is a must.
- Excellent command of English, enabling effective communication within a global team.
Technical & Domain Expertise
- Demonstrated experience working with search technologies, recommendation engines, or related analytics tools.
- Familiarity with product management best practices and agile methodologies.
- Strong understanding of user behavior and market trends, particularly in Japan.
Analytical & Communication Skills
- Data-driven mindset with the ability to interpret complex analytics and translate them into actionable product strategies.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Soft Skills
- Highly collaborative approach, with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to tackling challenges.
- Passion for user-focused product development and continuous improvement.
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