As an employer, our client is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where employees are encouraged to grow, develop, and contribute to the company's ongoing success. They are continuously seeking talented and motivated individuals to join their team and help drive their mission of excellence and customer-centricity.

Lead the Quality Assurance and Inbound Supply Chain operations in Japan, providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions that encompass Purchase Order (PO) management, domestic and international freight transport, and QA services. This role supports the needs of the Merchandising and Commerce functions, the fulfillment network, and the vendor base.

Ensure the Japan Inbound Transportation function has strategic planning and implementation capabilities that deliver advanced and custom transportation solutions, managing transportation costs effectively.

Oversee the Q&H PO Management functions, supporting Merchandising, Commerce, Operations, and vendor base to deliver top-tier service levels.

Collaborate with the merchandising department to ensure the QA and Operational Compliance strategy aligns with the goals and objectives of Merchants and Vendors.

Establish and maintain quality standards across all product categories in line with relevant legislation to ensure the quality of both potential and actual products.

Develop strategies, plans, and processes that are future-ready and aligned with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership (60%)

• Manage the performance of third-party logistics providers to meet service specifications and agreed cost bases.


• Ensure all products meet relevant quality and compliance standards with adequate reporting and record-keeping.


• Understand legislative obligations when evaluating processes and implementing changes.


• Lead inbound teams to ensure timely and complete arrival of inventory at all US operations centers, supporting regional strategies focused on speed to market.


• Plan labor and capacity to balance service provision and budgeted manpower costs for QA and Inbound logistics.


• Monitor and control budgetary expenditures, both manpower and non-manpower.


• Measure and monitor functional key performance indicators, taking necessary actions to achieve or exceed goals and standards.


• Maintain clear understanding of legislative obligations and implement necessary changes.


• Ensure each organizational level understands their role, performance expectations, and standards, with effective coaching and performance management.


• Develop a strong culture of engagement through proactive programs and initiatives, fostering empowered teams.


• Utilize guiding principles for decision-making at all levels.


• Promote continuous improvement, ensuring all leaders and team members understand and use tools to implement positive changes in operating procedures, driving overall performance.


• Recruit, develop, motivate, and coach Supply Chain and QA team members to meet strategic operational requirements.


• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations and company standards.

Internal and External Customer Relationship Management (40%)

• Foster and manage service-focused relationships with key Merchandising stakeholders for all Inbound Services.


• Integrate with the senior leadership team of the Merchandising function to understand and influence current and future strategies, opportunities, and requirements, providing key Supply Chain capabilities to support business growth.


• Implement and develop the Client Relationship plan to build trust and collaboration between stakeholders and the Inbound Supply Chain function.


• Define and implement key performance and service metrics, ensuring stakeholders have full visibility of service quality provided by Inbound Supply Chain and QA functions.


• Manage customer escalations, communicating with global teams, legal and Merchandising functions, vendors, and regulatory agencies.


• Drive vendor risk assessment and performance strategy using insights from performance improvements.


• Partner with QA leads to enhance product quality, customer experience, and vendor/customer analysis strategy globally.

Critical Skills/Knowledge

• Logical thinking applied to diverse intellectual and practical problems.


• Problem definition, data collection, fact establishment, and valid conclusion drawing.


• Effective presentation and written communication skills.


• Ability to communicate ideas, information, and issues across the organization.


• Effective change management to achieve business goals.


• Setting, maintaining, and managing quality standards and processes.


• Organizational, planning, and business management skills.


• Risk management knowledge applied to consumer products.


• Interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration, influencing, and negotiation in a diverse cultural environment.


• Extensive experience in quality management across different markets and product categories.


• Business and financial acumen.


• Leadership presence and credibility with executive management, vendors, and team members.

Experience:

• Proven leadership in program implementation and change management.


• Minimum 5 years in quality management, performance improvement, vendor management, product compliance, Supply Chain, and Inbound Logistics with increasing responsibility.


• Minimum 5 years in Supply Chain/Fulfillment.

Skills:

• Proven customer relationship management (CRM) skills.


• Adaptable communication style to build trust and credibility.


• Leadership and interpersonal skills to balance employee experience, customer experience, and financial performance.


• Industry expertise in Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Fulfillment.


• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.