Director, Operations

Director, Operations Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 【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