Title:  Head Sourcing Japan

At Chain IQ, your ideas move fast.

Chain IQ is a global AI-driven Procurement Service Partner, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, with operations across main centers and 16 offices worldwide. We provide tailored, end-to-end procurement solutions that enable transformation, drive scalability, and deliver substantial reductions in our clients' indirect spend. Our culture is built on innovation, entrepreneurship, ownership, and impact. Here, your voice matters - bold thinking is encouraged, and action follows ambition.

Role Purpose

The Sourcing Team Lead is responsible for delivering value-added strategic sourcing services to clients in a structured, professional, and consistent manner. The role leads sourcing initiatives, manages stakeholder and supplier relationships, develops category strategies, delivers measurable business value, and coaches sourcing professionals to achieve operational and commercial objectives.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to clients while ensuring procurement excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement across assigned categories and sourcing activities.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Lead and execute end-to-end sourcing initiatives from opportunity assessment through supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and implementation.
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to client business objectives and procurement priorities.
• Conduct spend analysis, market assessments, supplier evaluations, and benchmarking activities to identify value creation opportunities.
• Manage RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, eAuctions, and other strategic sourcing events.
• Support sourcing governance and ensure compliance with established procurement policies, processes, and controls.

Cost Optimization & Value Delivery

• Deliver agreed savings, cost avoidance, and value creation targets across assigned categories and clients.
• Identify opportunities for demand management, specification optimization, supplier consolidation, and process improvement.
• Track, validate, and report sourcing benefits in accordance with agreed methodologies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance procurement effectiveness and stakeholder satisfaction.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with client stakeholders and internal partners.
• Act as a trusted procurement advisor for assigned categories and sourcing initiatives.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans and ensure regular communication with key business partners.
• Understand client requirements and translate business needs into sourcing and procurement strategies.
• Drive high levels of client satisfaction through proactive engagement and delivery excellence.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with strategic and preferred suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and support supplier development initiatives.
• Manage supplier-related risks and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Maintain awareness of supplier market developments, trends, and emerging opportunities.

Contracting & Risk Management

• Lead commercial negotiations to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Review and negotiate contracts in both Japanese and English.
• Identify commercial, legal, operational, and supplier-related risks and support mitigation planning.
• Collaborate with legal, business, and procurement stakeholders throughout contract development and implementation.

Cross-Regional Collaboration

• Work closely with regional and global sourcing teams to align sourcing strategies and category initiatives.
• Share market intelligence, best practices, and sourcing expertise across the organization.
• Ensure local business requirements are incorporated into regional and global sourcing programs.
• Support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the sourcing community.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop sourcing professionals to achieve high levels of performance and engagement.
• Provide guidance on sourcing strategies, negotiations, stakeholder management, and category planning.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support resource planning, workload management, and team development activities.
• Promote best practices and ensure consistent delivery standards across the team.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Economics, Law, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional procurement certification (CIPS, CPSM, ISM, or equivalent) is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management within multinational, consulting, or managed services environments.
• Demonstrated success managing complex sourcing initiatives and delivering measurable commercial outcomes.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations, contract management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Previous experience leading or mentoring sourcing professionals is preferred.
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities within a dynamic client-focused environment.
• Knowledge of sourcing technologies and eSourcing platforms is advantageous.

Language Requirements

• Native-level Japanese.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.

Preferred Category Experience

Experience in one or more of the following categories is highly advantageous:

• Information Technology (Hardware, Software, Telecommunications, Cloud, Data Centres)
• Professional Services (Legal, Audit, Consulting)
• Facilities Management, Corporate Services, and Real Estate
• Marketing and Communications
• Human Resources and Workforce Services
• Outsourcing Services (ITO, BPO, KPO)
• Travel and Mobility Services
• Banking, Financial, and Market Data Services

Key Competencies

• Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• Contract Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influencing
• Project & Program Management
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Leadership & Team Development
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Client Focus & Service Excellence

Success Measures

• Delivery of sourcing savings and value creation targets
• Client satisfaction and stakeholder engagement
• Successful execution of sourcing projects and category strategies
• Supplier performance and risk management outcomes
• Compliance with procurement governance standards
• Team capability development and employee engagement
• Contribution to procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives

This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic procurement decisions, lead high-impact sourcing initiatives, and contribute to the continued growth of Chain IQ's procurement services in Japan.

Join a truly global team.

We offer a dynamic and international environment where high performance meets real purpose. We're proud to be Great Place to Work-certified and even prouder of the people who make that possible. Let’s shape the future of procurement - together.

Chain IQ – Create. Lead. Make an impact.

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