Jobs in Japan
Explore hand-picked jobs in Japan for English speakers across tech, education, marketing, and more.
Vetted companies only. Apply from overseas.
Explore hand-picked jobs in Japan for English speakers across tech, education, marketing, and more.
Vetted companies only. Apply from overseas.
AdidasPURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION - Orchestrate cross-functional product creation teams across apparel, accessories, and footwear to deliver the category vision to target consumer groups across all creation layers and distribution channels. - End-to-end ownership and management of the project lifecycle, including strategic roadmap planning, milestone execution, senior leadership alignment, and high-level engagement with external partners (creation partners, key accounts). - Translate high-level strategies into actionable tactical plans to drive effective consumer connection and cultural adoption. - Partner directly with local and global stakeholders to ensure cohesive local/global ranges are brought to market with a powerful, balanced mix of storytelling, product excellence, and commercial availability. - Act as a proven strategist, negotiator, and leader, decisively auditing and steering product creation direction based on consumer insights and commercial viability. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team, maximizing functional and leadership capabilities through active coaching and mentorship. - Foster a highly collaborative, matrix-focused culture within the team to ensure seamless cooperation with interlinked regional and global departments. - Lead by example embodying and championing core brand values and corporate culture. - Serve as a visionary anchor for team members by co-developing and clearly communicating strategic directions, product creation processes, and critical milestones. - Proactively identify business opportunities and mitigate risks initiate decisive action plans in partnership with internal and external cross-functional stakeholders. - Leverage expert-level knowledge of the end-to-end product creation process across all product divisions to streamline operations and accelerate speed-to-market. - Engage and align with cross-functional leadership in Japan and South Korea to maximize the market impact of regional product drops. - Drive product development and leverage category sourcing strategies to deliver cutting-edge material and design innovation while consistently hitting profitability and margin targets. - Accelerate Key Account business by delivering superior service, optimized product tiers, competitive pricing, and precise launch timing. - Shape the long-term product vision by establishing a robust innovation agenda and a multi-year product roadmap in collaboration with design and development partners. - Serve as the central cross-functional product marketing anchor and strategic point-person for respective team units. - Monitor and optimize category financials and KPIs (including sell-in/sell-through rates, article efficiency, and volume metrics), implementing immediate commercial or structural solutions when needed. - Curate, prepare, and present product ranges during creative, design, and selection review sessions, ensuring alignment at major internal brand milestones. - Collaborate closely with the Senior Director to architect short-, mid-, and long-term product creation strategies that secure industry leadership for the creation center. - Cultivate an influential industry network translating external market insights into actionable business opportunities for the brand. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERTISE - Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams to conceptualize and execute industry-leading products. - Exceptional leadership capabilities: adept at setting clear frameworks for performance, autonomy, and professional growth. - In-depth, comprehensive knowledge of apparel, accessories, and footwear product creation pipelines. - Advanced analytical acumen paired with a solution-driven, results-oriented, and highly creative mindset. - Thrives in high-velocity, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities. - Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. - Strong lateral thinking capability with the courage to challenge the status quo to achieve superior brand outcomes. - Expert understanding of the Japanese and South Korean consumer landscape, retail accounts, macroeconomic trends, and market dynamics. - Adept at conflict resolution and diplomatic negotiation in high-stakes environments. - Strong change management capabilities with a track record of guiding teams through organizational or process evolutions. - Highly collaborative nature with an innate ability to build and maintain high-trust relationships. - Willingness and flexibility to travel as required by the business. - Deep passion for sports, fashion, art, music, and sneaker culture. KEY RELATIONSHIPS - Product Design - Product Operations / Development (Multiple Locations) - Japan Business Unit & Local Cross-Functional Teams including Senior Leaders - South Korea Business Unit & Local Cross-Functional Teams including Senior Leaders - Global Lifestyle Business Unit & Go-To-Market Teams - Global Business Affairs Team - Global Sourcing Team - External Collaboration Partners/Accounts REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - University degree or equivalent professional education required. - Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional work experience. - 5+ years of experience managing diverse, cross-functional, or global teams within a complex matrix organization. - 5+ years of experience in product creation, product marketing, or merchandising within the fashion, lifestyle, or sportswear industries. - Proven track record of success in high-tier product marketing and strategic partnership management. - Advanced proficiency in standard business tools (MS Office Suite, internal PLM software). - Fluency in English and Japanese (written and spoken) is required.
University degree or equivalent professional education required. Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional work experience. 5+ years of experience managing diverse, cross-functional, or global teams within a complex matrix organization. 5+ years of experience in product creation, product marketing, or merchandising within the fashion, lifestyle, or sportswear industries. Proven track record of success in high-tier product marketing and strategic partnership management. Advanced proficiency in standard business tools (MS Office Suite, internal PLM software). Fluency in English and Japanese (written and spoken) is required.
