Purchasing Specialist​/Assistant Purchasing Manager - Japanese Bilingual

About the job Purchasing Specialist / Assistant Purchasing Manager - Japanese Bilingual

Job Title:

Purchasing Specialist/Assistant Purchasing Manager (Japanese Food & Beverage)

Reports to:

Purchasing Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Purchasing Manager in managing all aspects of procurement, including sourcing, price negotiations, transportation planning, and new product development for various categories (e.g., frozen, dry goods, liquor, non-food items).
• Analyze and forecast product sales volume and market demands, and create purchase orders based on sales, demand, and inventory levels.
• Evaluate and ensure the quality of received items consistently meets company standards and purchase order specifications.
• Research and select prospective vendors, and negotiate prices and contracts to secure competitive terms.
• Coordinate with the purchasing team to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring consistent product quality, timely delivery, and contract compliance.
• Lead efforts to review and resolve inventory discrepancies, large volume outbound orders, slow-selling items, and expired products with the warehouse team.
• Develop and execute purchasing strategies that align with the organization's business objectives, focusing on cost savings and efficiency.
• Coordinate quality inspections of incoming materials to verify compliance with required specifications and standards.
• Maintain and review supplier documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and audit results.
• Collaborate with purchasing teams across different branches, if applicable, to coordinate supply planning, maintain consistent stock levels, share best practices, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist in preparing budgets and financial reports related to purchasing activities.
• Supervise and train purchasing staff, ensuring compliance with established procedures and policies.
• Participate in supplier reduction programs and analyze new material issues to recommend quality improvement strategies.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends, market changes, and regulatory requirements impacting procurement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience, with 1+ years in a leadership or supervisory capacity, preferably within the Japanese food and beverage distribution industry is preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field is preferred.
• Business level Japanese language proficiency (read, write, speak, listen) is essential for effective communication with Japanese suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proven negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management, inventory control, and logistics.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills preferred) is preferred.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of Japanese food and beverage products, culinary trends, and supplier networks is highly preferred.

While the ideal experience is preferred, we will consider strong candidates who may not meet all of the qualifications.

Salary: $60,000 - $70,000/year, negotiable for experienced candidates.
+Benefit package, including health, vision, dental, and 401K with company matching.

The salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience level, with the provided range typically reflecting 3 years of prior purchasing experience in food distributor industry.