Functional overview
The purpose of Asahi Global Procurement is to safeguard the existing value and to unlock new sources of sustainable value for Asahi, our customers, and the planet. This is done through partnering with Asahi business stakeholders and a high-performing supplier network. Procurement capabilities are mobilized to improve product and service quality, mitigate risks, drive total cost of ownership and infuse top-line growth for Asahi local businesses.
Asahi Global Procurement aspires to be the partner of choice for internal clients as well as for external suppliers; trusted for being an inspirational business advocate; connecting people and driving sustainable procurement value; while aiming to achieve operational and transactional excellence to ensure business continuity.
Excellence in procurement is achieved by establishing strong partnerships for strategic internal and external cooperation, as well as responding innovatively and agilely to business disruptions and challenges.
No matter if Procurement people are based in Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Europe or any other location, there is a one-direction approach used to maximize value delivery in a consistent way.
Cost and Net Working Capital efficiency is equally important as proactive risk management is. The aspiration for continuity, sustainability, and circular economy is reflected in everything we do. Moreover, Procurement employees are not only experts in their categories but also ambassadors for corporate social responsibility. Following the Asahi Group philosophy, Procurement thinks globally and acts locally.
Main purpose of the job
The Liaison Director plays a critical role in bridging the gap between the global and regional units of a global organization and connects Global Procurement Office with Asahi Group Holdings. The focus should be on promoting effective collaboration and alignment while achieving procurement excellence at both global and regional levels with primary focus on Asahi Group Japan.
The Liaison Director coordinates to establish and maintain robust communication channels between two or more organizations (main focus on GPO, AGH, AGJ, local Japanese businesses), ensuring that all parties are well-informed and aligned on joint projects, policies, or objectives. Partners with GPO Leadership team members and regional Procurement team.
This position reports to the Global Procurement CEO.
Key qualification criteria
- A bachelor's degree in business, communications, or a related field.
- Proficiency in English and Japanese
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Good organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Problem-solving skills.
- A proactive approach and the ability to work independently.
- Negotiation skills.
- A background in procurement
- MS Office and relevant software tools.
Accountabilities and deliverables
- Liaisons with relevant GPO teams and regional procurement team (AGJ) in according with implementing procurement purpose, vision, strategies, and governance.
- Establishes and maintain robust communication channels between GPO teams and regional procurement team (AGJ) and Asahi Group Holdings.
- Supports to liaison in alignment with relevant GPO teams and regional procurement team (AGJ) regardless of language in a timely manner
- Ensures that all parties are well-informed and aligned on joint projects, policies, or objectives.
- Ensure Alignment of Global Category Strategies: Ensure that the global procurement strategy aligns with the specific procurement needs and regulations of each region (focus on Japan), taking into account factors such as local suppliers, market conditions, and supply chain dynamics.
- Standardization and Localization: Find the right balance between standardizing procurement processes globally for efficiency and localizing them as needed to address regional variations.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Facilitate communication and collaboration between global procurement and regional teams (focus on AGJ) to effectively manage relationships with suppliers, ensuring consistent standards and performance evaluations.
- Demand Forecasting: Coordinate information sharing between global and regional teams (focus on Japan) to improve demand forecasting accuracy, enabling more efficient procurement planning and inventory management.
- Cost Optimization: Work with both global and regional units to identify opportunities for cost savings, whether through bulk purchasing, negotiation strategies, or leveraging local suppliers.
- Risk Management: Collaborate with global (focus on AGH) and regional units (focus on AGJ) to assess and mitigate supply chain risks, ensuring continuity of supply even in the face of disruptions.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that global procurement practices adhere to relevant regulations and compliance standards in each region, providing guidance and support to regional teams.
- Procurement Technology Implementation: Facilitate the implementation and adoption of procurement technology platforms that are effective for both global and regional needs, streamlining processes and enhancing visibility.
- Supplier Diversity: Support efforts to promote supplier diversity by working with global and regional teams to identify opportunities for sourcing from diverse suppliers.
- Performance Metrics: Establish consistent procurement performance metrics that align with the organization's goals and can be tracked globally and regionally, allowing for benchmarking and continuous improvement.
- Collaborative Training: Organize training sessions that facilitate knowledge sharing and skill development among global and regional procurement teams.
