APAC Management Trainee - Procurement JAPAN

About the Department

The Regional Procurement Department plays a strategic role in ensuring the sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable supply of materials, services, and equipment required to support business growth across the region. Working closely with global categories, local procurement teams, supply chain, operations, and business stakeholders, the department drives sourcing excellence, supplier management, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and sustainability initiatives.

Your Learning Journey

As a Regional Procurement Management Trainee, you will gain hands-on exposure to regional procurement operations, category management, strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and cross-functional collaboration. You will have the opportunity to work on regional projects across multiple countries, analyze spend and market trends, support supplier negotiations, and contribute to initiatives that enhance competitiveness and create business value.

You will be in a pipeline of young high-level regional talent and future senior managers flowing into the procurement organisation (in addition to on-going support reasonability, the candidate will follow a structured process of technical and commercial training across all categories which will culminate in a 6 months overseas placement)

What You'll Experience

Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in a structured 18-month learning journey comprising three developmental phases.
• Receive coaching and mentoring from experienced managers and subject matter experts.
• Gain practical, hands-on experience within your sponsoring department.
• Develop technical, business, and leadership competencies through structured learning and on-the-job training.
• Work on meaningful projects that contribute to business objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and build professional networks across the organization.
• Participate in company-wide learning programmes, leadership development initiatives, and networking opportunities.
• Receive regular feedback, coaching, and performance reviews to support your development.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Responsibilities

As a Management Trainee, you will:

• Complete all learning milestones and development activities throughout the programme.
• Participate actively in training programmes, workshops, coaching sessions, and other learning opportunities.
• Learn and apply company policies, business processes, systems, and best practices.
• Support departmental operations and contribute to assigned projects and business initiatives.
• Conduct research, analyse information, and prepare reports, presentations, or recommendations where appropriate.
• Collaborate with colleagues across different functions to support business objectives.
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability, professionalism, and a continuous learning mindset.
• Build strong working relationships with mentors, managers, and stakeholders.
• Comply with company policies, procedures, and health, safety, quality, and compliance standards.
• Successfully complete programme assessments and performance reviews.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

•Complete a structured 3-year procurement management training plan culminating in a project dissertation and 6-month over-seas placement

•To be assigned a range of tasks in the local procurement organization that will provide a broad base of experience and training across category management, tools systems and processes and Procurement Governance

• Complete a structured three-year Procurement Management Development Programme, including defined learning objectives, practical assignments, formal training, a project dissertation, and a six-month overseas placement.

• Undertake a range of assignments within the local Procurement organisation to build broad practical experience across direct and indirect procurement, category management, supplier management, procurement systems and processes, analytics, and Procurement Governance.

• Support category management activities including spend analysis, market and supplier research, sourcing strategy development, tendering, commercial evaluation, negotiation, contracting, implementation, and performance monitoring.

•Participate in supplier selection, evaluation, development, and performance management activities, gaining experience in both commercial and operational aspects of supplier relationships.

•Develop a strong understanding of procurement tools, systems, data, and processes, including the effective use of ERP, sourcing, reporting, and analytical tools to support procurement decision-making.

•Support procurement improvement projects aimed at improving cost competitiveness, supplier performance, process efficiency, compliance, sustainability, and working capital.

•Participate in regional and global procurement initiatives, working with colleagues across countries, functions, and categories to gain exposure beyond the local organisation.

•Develop commercial and financial understanding, including cost structures, total cost of ownership, price and market analysis, business cases, budgeting, and the financial impact of procurement decisions.

• Build effective working relationships with key internal stakeholders, including Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Sales, R&D, and other relevant functions.

•Develop negotiation, communication, presentation, project management, and stakeholder-management capabilities required for future management responsibilities.

•Maintain appropriate documentation and ensure activities are conducted in accordance with Procurement policies, procedures, governance requirements, and applicable compliance standards.

• Complete a significant business improvement project and associated dissertation demonstrating the ability to analyse a business problem, develop recommendations, and deliver measurable value.

•Successfully complete a six-month overseas assignment during the final stage of the programme, taking responsibility for defined procurement activities or projects while gaining experience in a different market and organisational environment.

• Demonstrate the performance, leadership potential, mobility, and professional capabilities required for progression into a Procurement or Supply Chain management position following completion of the programme.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in the technical and operational aspects of your assigned function.
• Understand how your department contributes to the organization's overall business objectives.
• Apply analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to real business challenges.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders across different functions and levels.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Successfully achieve all programme milestones and competency assessments.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for individuals who are:

• Passionate about learning and continuous development.
• Curious, proactive, and adaptable in a dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical thinkers with sound problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communicators with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative team players who can also work independently.
• Well-organized with strong planning and time management skills.
• Resilient, accountable, and eager to embrace new challenges.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Located in Tokyo, Japan and willing to relocate to other APAC countries such as Malaysia Kuala Lumper when development opportunity arise
• Self-starter with high degree of drive and motivation
• Excellent academic results
• Excellent communication skills and outgoing gregarious personality
• Highly numerate with a technical / engineering background
• International mindset with overseas experience (e.g. study) or from a mixed international family background
• Well-developed IT skills, knowledgeable in MS Office tool set, AI tools

Why Join Our Management Trainee Programme?

At our company, we believe in investing in people with the potential to make a difference.

Through our Management Trainee Programme, you will gain meaningful work experience, receive structured learning and mentoring, build lasting professional networks, and develop the technical and leadership capabilities needed for long-term career success.

Our programme provides:

• A structured 18-month development journey.
• A personalized functional learning roadmap.
• Dedicated mentoring and coaching from experienced leaders.
• Hands-on experience through meaningful business assignments.
• Cross-functional exposure and collaboration opportunities.
• Structured learning and leadership development programmes.
• Regular coaching, feedback, and career development discussions.
• Opportunities to build a rewarding career within the organization, subject to individual performance and business requirements.

Location:

Tokyo(Akasaka) or Hiratsuka(Nagatoro)

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報酬は、業務に関連するスキルや学歴、研修・経験などを総合的に考慮して決定します。
また、当社は関係法令および規制を遵守し、公正かつ公平な賃金制度の運用に努めています。