Job Description:

Business Overview

The Rakuten Group's basic management philosophy is to "empower" people and society through innovation.
Rakuten Group offers more than 70 diverse services, including the online shopping mall Rakuten Ichiba, e-commerce services such as the travel booking site Rakuten Travel, financial services such as Rakuten Bank, and professional sports.

Department Overview

The assignment will be to the Procurement Operations Department(PCOD) of Rakuten Group, Inc. The PCOD is an organization currently expanding its operations with the mission of centralizing procurement for the entire Rakuten Group.

The mission of the Procurement Compliance & Control Section, to which you are scheduled to be assigned, is to contribute to the Rakuten Group’s sustainable growth and enhanced corporate value by establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the soundness, efficiency, and transparency of procurement operations.

Its appeal lies in the opportunity to deeply engage with various business mechanisms, supplier selection, and order placement decision-making processes, as it cross-functionally supports the entire Rakuten Group through procurement.

Furthermore, through the approval process, Rakuten Group offers unique opportunities to learn about corporate management within the group, including a deeper understanding of the institutions and operations stipulated by corporate law, as well as learning about transaction practices and relevant laws and regulations within the group.

Position:

Why We Hire

For business expansion and organizational reinforcement accompanying the establishment of a central procurement organization that supports the entire Rakuten Group.

Position Details

1. Procurement Approval Program Management Office

In order to smoothly and reliably execute procurement approvals in accordance with Rakuten Group's job authority chart, you will be responsible for tasks such as establishing operational workflows, managing approval meetings, managing documents such as approval forms and manuals, and developing management tools for managing planned procurement projects and approval histories.
In executing various tasks, communication will occur not only with departments within the Procurement Operations Department, but also with related departments such as business departments that request procurement, corporate departments such as governance and legal, and Rakuten Group executives for reporting and requests.

2. Procurement Risk & Compliance Officer
This role is responsible for leading projects and driving operations to ensure compliance with industry laws related to procurement projects, such as the Economic Security Promotion Act, the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, the New Freelance Act, and the Construction Business Act. This includes process improvement, guideline development, and notification operations to relevant ministries, all while engaging relevant departments.
Execution of these tasks involves communication not only with various departments within the Procurement Operations Division but also with relevant departments such as business units requesting procurement, and corporate divisions like Governance and Legal. Additionally, reporting and requests to Rakuten Group executives will also be part of the responsibilities.

We are constantly striving to improve our operational workflows, so this is an environment where those who enjoy embracing change will find the work rewarding and feel the significant impact of their contributions.

In this role, you will have a bird’s-eye view of the entire process, from identifying the business unit’s procurement needs through to obtaining executive approval. A major attraction of this position is the opportunity to be involved at key decision-making points-from vendor selection and order validation to executive-level decisions.

Additionally, there are abundant opportunities to deepen collaboration with relevant government agencies and internal technical, legal, and public affairs departments through compliance with applicable laws and regulations. By engaging in process development and improvement initiatives, you will also cultivate your planning and strategic skills.

This is a stimulating environment where you can experience the fast-paced business environment of the Rakuten Group while engaging with the latest legal regulations, including the Economic Security Act. 

Work Environment

The Procurement Operations Department is an organization of about 80 people, consisting of a Sourcing section responsible for supplier selection, a Purchasing section handling operations from order placement to payment, and a Planning section responsible for conceptualizing, framing, and promoting projects for centralizing procurement.

Our team is made up of members with a wide variety of backgrounds, including experience in manufacturing, consulting, media, and the apparel industry.
Once you join us, you’ll be assigned a mentor who will guide you through your work and help you get up to speed, so even if you’re coming from a different industry or job role, you’ll be able to thrive here.

Mandatory Qualifications:

- Candidates with experience in any of the following areas:
└ Practical experience in project management, business process improvement, corporate planning, administrative departments (back office), or PMO roles
└ Experience driving projects involving a wide range of stakeholders in client-facing roles
- Individuals who thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments, take initiative, and see tasks through to completion (Procurement knowledge or experience is not required; we welcome motivated candidates)
- Business-level proficiency in office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Japanese language proficiency (native level or JLPT N1 or higher)

Desired Qualifications:

- Business-level English proficiency

- Project management skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of procurement and purchasing operations
- Understanding of BI tools and business applications
- Skills in leveraging AI

Other Information:

Additional information on Location

Rakuten Crimson House (Headquarters, Futako-Tamagawa)

Additional information on English Qualification

Business-level English proficiency (TOEIC score of 800 or higher)

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