【Summary】
Provides strategic \& operational leadership of Japan Operations, associated functions and strategic direction to ensure alignment in policies and approach to relevant process areas.
Accountable for Customer Service \& overall sales order book management, Supply Chain management including warehousing \& logistics, Demand Planning \& Inventory Management and all activities related to projects and initiatives to support regional and global operations continuous improvement.
A senior member of the Japan Management Team and Regional Operations Management Team offering key support to the Country GM and regional VP, Operations and Global Supply, representing China/regional initiatives and creating partnerships with global and regional stakeholders to facilitate the progression of existing ways of working.
【Key Responsibilities】
- Create a Business Planning Calendar to ensure all market stakeholders operate to clear expectations of accountabilities and timelines within the context of global constraints and commercial expectations.
- Provide full and comprehensive Customer Service \& Operations support for inventory purchases, overseeing order book production and shipping and offering query management resolution and guidance.
- Design, develop and implement a suite of effective and robust Marketplace Planning, Demand Planning, \& Inventory Management procedures and disciplines.
- Develop, communicate, and monitor all elements Customer Service policies \& procedures for the market ensuring best-in-class standards of customer relationship management, proactive dialogue with all internal functional partners \& stakeholders and the maximization of profitable sales.
- Develop a best-in-class distribution and logistics cost optimized network without sacrificing service or On-Time-In-Full delivery.
- Lead and direct all activities related to global and regional projects on technology implementation and optimizing operational capabilities.
【DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES】
20%
Create a Business Planning Calendar to ensure all market stakeholders operate to clear expectations of accountabilities and timelines within the context of global constraints and commercial expectations.
- Drive a cohesive and effective approach to all elements of the seasonal business planning calendar thereby producing more proactive behaviors, less reactivity and better considered upstream outputs.
- Oversee the business-critical path ensuring any obstacles to effective achievement of Plan are identified and the risk mitigated.
- Define and set expectations and implement policies reflective of market strategy and oversee execution.
Provide full and comprehensive Customer Service \& Operations support for inventory purchases, overseeing order book production, shipping, and offering query management resolution and guidance.
- Collaborate closely with Sales, Sales Operations, Customer Service, and Finance to build partnership and resolve complex order issues and streamline cross-functional workflows.
- Ensure team and individual role profiles and objectives maintain alignment with business goals
- Drive consistency of service, approach and execution, and promote climate of positive, solutions-oriented teamwork in all teams.
20%
Design, develop and implement a suite of effective and robust Marketplace Planning, Demand Planning, \& Inventory Management procedures and disciplines.
- Build a sustainable and collaborative demand planning process, with local market accountability for accurate forecasting, stock utilization and ultimate inventory levels and cash flow impact.
- Deliver effective analytics and metrics allowing all stakeholders to achieve targets and challenge markets to maintain focus on inventory measures and impact on profitability.
20%
Develop, communicate, and monitor all elements Customer Service policies \& procedures for the market ensuring best-in-class standards of customer relationship management, proactive dialogue with all internal functional partners \& stakeholders and the maximization of profitable sales.
- Provide effective monitoring of order book status, maintenance, reporting, highlighting issues, and mitigating challenges.
- Ensure effective and timely execution of the order book from order capture, through production and shipment, to customer delivery.
20%
Develop a best-in-class distribution and logistics cost optimized network without sacrificing service or On-Time-In-Full delivery
- Develop strategies to optimize inventory flow, reduce freight costs, and improve last-mile delivery performance.
- Oversee all warehouse operations to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and safety.
- Manage relationships with 3PL partners and logistics providers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring service level and quality.
- Oversee network of warehousing and delivery solutions required to execute all order book requirements in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
20%
Lead and direct all activities related to global and regional projects on technology implementation and optimizing operational capabilities.
- Act as a local leader in all E2E Planning, Order Management, and Distributions and Logistics projects.
- Challenge status quo, think outside the box, and deliver future proof automated solutions where applicable.
- Introduce improvements to ways of working, policies or systems solutions to raise service levels or productivity.
- Formulate and execute the strategic roadmap for the entire supply chain network, including warehouse design, footprint optimization, and transportation strategies.
- Own local budgeting for operations and projects partnering with finance, local leadership, and supply chain leadership to ensure targets are met.
【QUALIFICATION】
===================
Education \& Any Certifications Required
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- CPIM or CSCP desired.
Year(s) of Experience \& Background Required
- Fluent in English and Japanese
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in senior management / directorial responsibility in sizeable commercial enterprises with direct accountability for relevant Operations-linked functions.
- Significant experience of footwear / apparel lifestyle /fashion sector and procedures from forecasting to customer operations.
- Experience of a senior management in Asian or global business, operating with regional / local sub-structure
- Experience of significant change management projects within a complex international organization
- Experience of satisfying the needs of diverse constituents in a complex global organization often working under the pressure of competing or conflicting priorities
- Experience in Sourcing, Logistics, Planning.
Character and Personal Qualities
- Strong people leadership
- Ability to develop a strategy, anticipate changes, develop contingency plans, and drive execution in a very fast pace and complex environment. Able to influence and lead in a matrix environment
- A natural leader who takes responsibility for driving and delivering results. Knock down walls to deliver results, drive Transformational change, and continuous improvement
- Strategic yet “hands-on” management style with excellent team building skills
- Flexible and adaptable to change, innovative manager with people and processes
- Consumer Focus; Commercially aware
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively address all levels of the organization
- Project management, negotiating, and organizational skills
- Unwilling to accept the status quo and challenges people and process improvement
- Excellent team working and interpersonal skills
- Able to demonstrate a knowledge and passion for the brands
- Prompts healthy dialogue where all opinions are valued, and people feel respected. Role models inclusive practices
- Displays humility by being open to new ideas, seeking to learn, and not caring about who gets credit
- Models and promotes collaboration across the organization to achieve shared goals by bringing cross-functional partners together and supporting decisions as if they are their own
- Creates a vision that inspires the teams, and drives execution in a very fast pace and complex environment
- Asks insightful questions to encourage creative thinking and innovation; is a great listener
- Demonstrates curiosity and agility; drives change through effective communication strategies
- Demonstrates tenacity to achieve results, no matter the barriers, while role-modelling the company values
- Empowers the decision-maker to make decisions and upholds decisions once made
- Finds ways to simultaneously achieve financial and ESG goals
- Keeps teams motivated by providing opportunities to contribute to society