Job Description:

Business Overview

The Technology Management Division (TMD) provides Corporate IT, and Cyber Security & Privacy Governance to Rakuten Group companies and essential business management for technology organizations, thereby enabling innovation and strengthening the technology foundation. Within TMD, the Technology Management Services Supervisory Department (TMSSD) plays a vital role in CIO Governance, IT financial management, IT procurement, Quality Management System (QMS), technology-related public relations, and human resources strategy. By promoting efficiency, quality, risk management, and organizational strength, we ensure that Tech Divisions remain agile and at the forefront of technological advancement.

Department Overview

The IT Procurement Office is responsible for procuring IT products and services for Rakuten Group, Inc. and selected group companies. Our mission is to support the growth of Rakuten Group by optimizing not only cost, but also quality, speed, risk, and contractual terms through strategic IT procurement. The scale of our transactions and the continuous adoption of new technologies and services provide opportunities to lead complex sourcing initiatives and deepen your expertise in IT procurement.

The IT Procurement Office consists of three groups: the IT Purchasing Group, which executes purchasing operations efficiently, quickly, and accurately; the IT Sourcing Group, which optimizes procurement costs and commercial terms; and the Admin Group, which provides cross-functional support.

In addition to supplier negotiations, the IT Sourcing Group works with internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, to develop and execute sourcing strategies. To build category expertise, the group is organized into teams covering infrastructure, IT outsourcing, and cloud services.

This position belongs to the IT Sourcing Group and is responsible for IT outsourcing categories such as system development, quality assurance, and project management office services.

The role focuses on sourcing activities such as clarifying internal requirements, selecting suppliers, evaluating quotations, and negotiating terms, while also handling purchasing activities such as procurement requests, reviewing contracts and purchase orders, and coordinating with related departments.

By gaining experience in both sourcing and purchasing, you can develop practical knowledge of the full IT procurement lifecycle, from sourcing strategy development through ordering and contract administration. You will progressively build procurement expertise by understanding the delivery models, required skills, and contract structures of each engagement and by connecting internal stakeholders with suppliers.

Position:

Why We Hire

We are hiring a successor following the departure of the previous role holder.

This position is primarily responsible for sourcing while also supporting day-to-day purchasing activities. We are looking for someone who can work between internal stakeholders and suppliers to facilitate appropriate and effective procurement.

Position Details

This position is responsible for the procurement of IT outsourcing services, including system development, quality assurance, and project management office services. The role mainly focuses on sourcing and also handles purchasing activities depending on project progress and the allocation of responsibilities within the team.

You will manage assigned projects with support from senior colleagues and team members and gradually expand your scope of responsibility based on your experience.

・ Confirming and organizing internal requirements for outsourced engagements such as system development, quality assurance, and project management office services

・ Researching potential suppliers, supporting supplier selection, requesting quotations, and comparing and assessing quotation details

・ Coordinating and negotiating with suppliers on pricing, contract duration, resource rates, delivery structures, and schedules

・ Coordinating with internal departments, including business units, engineering, legal, and finance

・ Handling purchasing activities such as procurement requests, reviewing contracts and purchase orders, and following up on internal approvals

・ Completing procedures and stakeholder confirmations related to contract renewals, changes, and terminations

・ Managing and performing basic analysis of procurement results, quotations, and contract information

・ Identifying issues in existing processes and proposing improvements

・ Conducting procurement activities in accordance with applicable laws, internal policies, and procurement governance

Through purchasing activities, you will gain a practical understanding of contracting and ordering processes, internal approval workflows, and procurement governance, building a strong foundation for independently managing sourcing projects in the future.

Work Environment

The team is primarily composed of experienced mid-career hires, together with two employees who joined as new graduates. Members bring diverse professional backgrounds, including sales, systems engineering, procurement, and legal, and many have prior experience in the IT industry. The team collaborates by combining these different areas of expertise.

Mandatory Qualifications:

・ Practical experience in either of the following areas and a strong desire to build experience and develop skills in IT procurement

・ At least three years of hands-on sourcing or purchasing experience involving IT products or IT services

・ Involvement in requests for quotation, quotation comparison, and confirmation or negotiation of terms with suppliers

・ Purchasing operations such as procurement requests, reviewing contracts and purchase orders, internal approvals, and contract renewals

・ At least three years of hands-on experience in sales, systems engineering, presales engineering, or a related role involving IT products or IT services

・ IT hardware such as servers, storage, and network appliances.

・ Public cloud services such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.

・ Software and SaaS such as CRM, CDN, and project management tools.

・ Ability to approach work with the following mindsets: Proactive and improvement-oriented, Adaptable to change, Comfortable working in ambiguous situations

Desired Qualifications:

・ Purchasing or procurement experience involving IT outsourcing services such as system development, quality assurance, and project management office services

・ Experience managing the end-to-end sourcing process, including market research, internal requirement alignment, supplier selection, quotation evaluation, and negotiation of pricing and contractual terms

・ Knowledge of engagement models and pricing structures for outsourced services, including quasi-mandate, deliverables-based contracts, and temporary staffing arrangements

・ Experience leading consensus-building among multiple internal stakeholders

・ Experience analyzing procurement data and quotation information to achieve cost reductions or improved commercial terms

・ Basic knowledge of legal and risk topics relevant to IT outsourcing contracts, including subcontracting regulations, intellectual property, and information security

・ Procurement or supply chain qualifications, such as CPP or CPSM

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