Bilingual Procurement Manager

Bilingual Procurement Manager

Bokksu is a venture-backed, trailblazing digital-first brand that delivers Japanese snacks to happy snackers in 100+ countries online and in nearly 5,000 US retail locations. We're proud to partner directly with pop culture brands and centuries-old family snack makers in Japan to introduce their delectable treats to the world.

Our success has been spotlighted on Today Show, WSJ, NY Times, Wirecutter, and the Strategist. Join us and help bring the charm of Japanese snacks to the world!

Your Responsibilities

We are seeking a Bilingual Procurement Manager to lead product strategy and purchasing for our subscription service and e-commerce shop. Specific responsibilities include:

• Product & Procurement Strategy:
  • Lead the planning and implementation of attractive, high-margin product lineups based on market trends, sales data, and consumer insights.
  • Develop and execute procurement strategies, optimizing sourcing, managing costs, and building strong supplier relationships.
• Trend Monitoring:
  • Continuously research and track global demand trends, popular products, and supply chain innovations to keep the company ahead of the curve.
• Creative Sourcing:
  • Identify and engage unconventional suppliers, local producers, and niche vendors that add unique value to the business.
• Team Management:
  • Manage, mentor, and set goals for the buyer and assistant teams.
  • Drive cross-functional collaboration to maximize overall team performance and sales.
• Data Analysis & Product Performance Evaluation:
  • Analyze pricing trends, sales performance, and inventory levels to guide product lineup and sales strategy improvements.
  • Conduct scenario analysis and benchmarking by product and category.
• Supply Chain & Inventory Management:
  • Build and maintain trust-based relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
  • Manage inventory levels and product expiration dates to prevent stockouts and minimize waste.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
  • Work closely with Product, Logistics, E-commerce, and Marketing teams to drive promotions and maximize sales.
  • Lead initiatives for new product launches and improvements to existing products to enhance overall brand value.

Your Qualifications

• Proven experience managing buyers or procurement teams.
• Strong multitasking and time management skills with a high sense of responsibility.
• Confident in collecting, analyzing, and leveraging data to make logical, results-driven decisions.
• Experience in international procurement, import/export operations, product planning, and category management.
• Ability to systematize, improve, and document work processes.
• Strong collaboration skills across departments and with external partners to achieve results.
• High motivation to learn and grow while working cooperatively with others.
• Clear communication based on data and insights.
• Passion for food and culture, with a keen eye for new products and trends.

Your Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.
• 3–5+ years of experience in international trade, purchasing, procurement, product planning, category management, or EC/grocery-related operations (management experience required).
• Practical experience with Shopify, Slack, AirTable, ShipHero, Notion, Asana, or similar tools.
• Native-level Japanese and business-level English proficiency.
• Proficiency in basic Excel/Google Sheets functions (INDEX-MATCH, VLOOKUP, etc.)
• Experience working onsite, preferably in a startup environment.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment and work proactively.
• Deep passion for food and culture.
• This is a full-time position and the applicant must currently be based in Tokyo.

Your Benefits

• Visa support available.
• Social insurance coverage.
• Paid vacation.
• Commuting allowance.
• Company events (retreats, dinners, happy hours, etc.)
• Monthly Bokksu subscription and unlimited access to Japanese snacks in the office.

Bokksu provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.