Japanese Bilingual Purchasing Manager

Job Type: Location Type: Remote: open to residents of any country

 

Who we are:

Established in 1926, Mutual Trading Co., Inc. was originally a small co-op organization for centralized purchasing of basic import foods to service the needs of the early Japanese immigrant society in Southern California. We’ve grown nearly 100 years old now, and command a premier position among Japanese foodservice suppliers, as well as fill a key role as “Culinary Ambassador” promoting Japanese foods worldwide. Currently, we import, manufacture, and distribute over 8,000 Japanese foods, beverages, restaurant equipment and supplies.

Benefits

All paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees and their dependents

Life Insurance and 401k Plan with company match.

Location: El Monte, CA

Hours: M-F: 8AM – 5PM

Essential Job Functions
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to establish cost-effective and efficient purchasing procedures aligned with business goals.
• Source, negotiate, and communicate with vendors to expand product portfolio, including trending and in-demand items.
• Supervise and support members of the purchasing team; monitor their performance and provide guidance and constructive feedback.
• Review, process and approve purchase orders.
• Schedule and monitor deliveries to ensure timely and complete fulfillment of all purchase orders.
• Manage other members of the purchasing team and monitor their performances.
• Maintain and analyze records of order receiving time, quality, and quantities from different suppliers to determine the best options for the company.
• Identify and select prospective vendors; negotiate pricing and contractual terms; build and maintain relationships with vendors.
• Evaluate vendor performance based on pricing, product quality, order delivery accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct market research to assess vendor competitiveness in terms of pricing, service quality and capabilities.
• Maintain adequate inventory levels while ensuring appropriate inventory turnover to support operational efficiency and cost control.
• Supervise all import processes, including customs clearance and negotiation with customs brokers, to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective shipments.
• Lead freight procurement efforts, analyzing shipping quotes and implementing strategies to reduce transportation costs company wide.
• Develop and standardize group-wide shared items and lead centralized procurement initiatives across the organization.
• Coordinate with fellow managers to monitor inventory levels, determine supply needs and place timely orders to avoid storages or overstock.
• Provide strategic leadership across branches and affiliated companies to optimize purchasing volumes and maximize group buying leverage.
• Ensure the quality of procured items and addresses problems related to product defects, delays or discrepancies.
• Keep up with trends in procurement, including market trends, import/export regulations and trade compliance issues.
• Stay current with purchasing technologies and systems; lead and adoption of tools that improve procurement efficiency.
• Attend Company events and functions outside of normal working hours.
• Attend semiannual inventory count on designated day, possibly on a weekend.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Obligation to answer to all management as requested.

Physical Requirements
• Able to sit and work in an office setting for extended periods of time.
• Able to type and use the computer for extended periods of time.
• Able to talk, hear, walk, stand, smell, taste, reach, bend, kneel, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Working Conditions

o Noise Level: Normal to loud while in the office.

o Location: Indoors and travel to vendor sites when necessary.

Other Requirements
• Business level English – Read/write/speak/listen required.
• Business level Japanese – Read/write/speak/listen required.
• Frequent business travel required.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Able to work independently and as a team.
• Able to adapt to frequent changes in assignments and workload.
• Bachelor’s Degree in business or supply chain management preferred.
• 5+ years of purchasing experience in Japanese food distribution industry required, including at least 2 years in a managerial role.

Knowledge and Skills
• Demonstrate strong organizational and leadership skills, and attention to detail.
• Possess intermediate mathematical knowledge such as profit margin calculations, markups, discounts, counting inventory, weight and measurement conversions, combining, etc.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent mentoring, coaching and people management skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics NAV or comparable enterprise-level ERP solutions.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors preferred.

Disclaimers

This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related duties as instructed or requested by the department manager or other management as needed, subject to reasonable accommodation and business needs. The information contained herein is subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, and no part of this document is to be construed as an express or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter the “at-will” employment status with the Company. Requirements are subject to accommodations with ADA, FEHA, and all other applicable federal and state laws. Please report any changes of essential job functions to the Human Resources Department.

Mutual Trading Co., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.