Senior Purchasing Management Specialist; Japanese Non-Food

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Purchasing Management Specialist/Senior Purchasing Specialist who is fluent in both Japanese and English
, with a strong background in procurement, merchandising, and vendor management—preferably within the beauty, household, and/or consumer goods sectors.

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, and holidays
• On-site gym and game rooms
• Employee discount
• 72-90K
• Coffee and snacks

• Lead and execute the entire buying cycle (end-to-end buying processes): supplier sourcing, product selection, vendor negotiation (cost/payment negotiation), purchase order placement, and delivery coordination.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, ensuring clear communication, aligned timelines, and mutual expectations.
• Collaborate closely with merchandising, marketing, and logistics teams to ensure timely product launches and stock availability.
• Monitor inventory performance and optimize purchasing strategies for margin and stock efficiency.
• Continuously optimize purchasing strategies to meet business objectives and improve gross margins.
• Analyze market trends, product performance, and customer needs to identify opportunities and source new products/brands.
• Stay current on Japanese product trends and emerging opportunities to fuel innovation and competitiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, creative, operations) to ensure a seamless go-to-market process.

• 2+ years of full time buying or sourcing experience, preferably in retail, e-commerce, or wholesale environments.
• High Fluency in Japanese and English (written and spoken) is required to effectively communicate with suppliers in Japan and internal cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of Japanese business culture, supplier management, and negotiation styles.
• Proven experience in vendor negotiation, cost management, and purchase planning. Skilled in data-driven buying, margin optimization, and lifecycle management.
• Proven experience managing both large-scale and small-scale procurement processes, with strong operational and negotiation capabilities.
• Deep understanding of Incoterms and global trade regulations, with hands‑on experience managing international shipments and logistics.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and inventory data to make strategic purchasing decisions.
• Experience in managing supplier onboarding with term negotiation, purchase orders, lead times, and logistics coordination.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; comfortable working in a fast‑paced, cross‑cultural environment.
• Experienced in cross‑functional collaboration, working closely with operations, logistics, marketing, and finance teams.
• Proficiency in Excel and ERP or any inventory management systems.

• Experience working with Japanese brands and suppliers.
• Prior experience working at a Japanese company, or in a global company closely partnered with Korean brands.
• Prior work in J‑beauty, Home goods, or other Japanese consumer product categories.
• Knowledge of import/export trade terms, international logistics, and cross‑border vendor management.
• Familiarity with customs clearance, compliance, and import documentation for international shipping, especially for Japanese groceries and food categories.
• Experience in localizing Japanese products (especially in beauty and home goods) for U.S. or international consumers, especially the Asian community in the U.S.