SCM/Inventory Management Specialist (Rakuten24 Express) - FMCG Planning Department, Consumables & Electronics Direct Business(C&M)

Job Description

Business Overview

The Consumer Goods & Home Electronics Direct Business operates comprehensive online stores such as "Rakuten 24" and various specialty category shops, including "Rakuten 24 Baby Shop." In recent years, we have expanded the "Rakuten 24 Express" service, which delivers products as early as the same day. This initiative is a key driver of our business growth and a vital component of our Commerce & Marketing Company, revolutionizing the customer purchasing experience.

Department Overview

Our business model is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) operation where Rakuten handles the entire value chain-from product selection and procurement from national manufacturers to marketing, sales, fulfillment, and customer support.

The "Rakuten 24 Express" service, for which we are hiring an SCM/Inventory Management specialist, addresses customer needs for convenience and value in daily necessities. It allows customers to purchase single items at competitive prices with same-day delivery. In coordination with our other daily-necessity service, "Rakuten 24," it is expected to drive the growth of the daily goods category within the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace.

Having moved beyond the initial launch phase, we are now making large-scale investments in SKU expansion, marketing, and the strengthening of our system and logistics platforms to achieve ambitious mid-term goals. By joining us in this growth-investment phase, you will have the opportunity to engage in dynamic business expansion while witnessing the evolution of our systems and organization.

Rakuten 24 Express: fast-delivery-mart.rakuten.co.jp

Position:

Why We Hire

"Rakuten 24 Express" is experiencing rapid growth in both SKUs and order volume. We are urgently seeking new members to join our team. As many of our fundamental operations-such as SKU selection, inventory allocation, and replenishment logic-still rely on manual processes or localized optimization, we are looking for an immediate contributor who can stabilize service quality (minimizing stockouts, excess inventory, and waste) and drive further efficiency.

Initially, you will be responsible for core operational areas. In the future, we expect you to lead the optimization of our entire SCM strategy through data-driven approaches, including demand forecasting, inventory distribution, and logistics network optimization. We are looking for someone who thrives on the challenge of "transforming mechanisms while operating on the front lines."

Key Attractions

• Design & Improve: Directly design and improve the core of the business, including SKU selection, inventory, and replenishment logic.
• Direct Impact: Your daily decisions will have a direct impact on revenue, inventory levels, and delivery quality.
• Growth Phase: Be an integral part of the expansion phase of a high-growth service.
• Data-Driven Transformation: Lead the shift from manual, human-dependent operations to automated, data-driven systems.
• KPI Management: Manage multiple KPIs (inventory turnover, stockout rates, waste, delivery costs) to drive business profitability.
• Hands-on Strategy: Experience the blend of operational management and strategic design.
• Future Leadership: Opportunity to lead the advancement of total SCM, including demand forecasting and network design.
• Professional Development: Build a career at the forefront of EC and logistics, leveraging Rakuten Group’s extensive data assets.

Position Details

• Design and improve core operations (SKU selection, inventory, replenishment).
• Transition from manual/human-dependent operations to standardized, scalable systems.
• Manage cross-functional KPIs (inventory turnover, stockout rates, waste).
• Identify issues through data analysis and lead operational improvements.
• Future scope: Lead overall SCM strategic domains, including demand forecasting and network design.

Work Environment

Organization

Total division approx. 100 people; FMCG Planning Section (8 people: 1 Senior Manager, 1 Manager, 1 Assistant Manager, and several members).

Backgrounds of mid-career recruits

• Experience at a consulting firm
• Experience in logistics planning for an e-commerce platform
• Experience in sales at a travel agency

Career Path

The organization is in a growth phase, with opportunities for role expansion and new team formation.

Success Stories

Members promoted to Manager within 2 years; lateral moves from Service Planning to FMCG Planning within 3 years.

Mandatory Qualifications

Required Qualifications (Minimum 3+ years of experience)

• Logistics, inventory management, or operations experience in EC or retail.
• Experience in managing 3PL or delivery company relations/operations.
• Experience in operational improvement through KPI management (inventory turnover, stockout rates, productivity, etc.).
• Data analysis, KPI management, and reporting skills using Excel/PowerPoint.
• Experience in operating or improving operations (logistics, inventory, retail, or supply chain).
• Proven track record of identifying issues and executing/driving improvement measures.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience building or utilizing demand forecasting models (statistics/machine learning).
• Experience in logistics network design (facility location, delivery strategy).
• Experience leading large-scale projects (stakeholder management, driving decision-making).
• Data analysis skills using SQL/Python.
• Experience in designing replenishment logic or inventory optimization.

Other Information:

Additional information on Location

Rakuten Crimson House

1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Additional information on English Qualification

TOEIC Score exceeding 800 (or similar level of English ability or a University Degree earned in an English-speaking country)

Proof of eligibility is required by the timing of the offer letter.

If no evidence is available to prove the qualifications denoted above, taking an IP test, organized by our company, during selection process is required.

Rakuten Group, Inc. Homepage Link

• Benefits:corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/benefit
• Recruitment Information:corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/information * Employment type is detailed
• Rakuten Culture:corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/culture

#business #logistics #SCM #commerce #RakutenFastDeliveryMart