NPM Country Lead Japan

About the Team:

The Non-Production Material (NPM) Procurement organization is responsible for driving strategic sourcing, supplier management, cost optimization, and procurement excellence across indirect material and service categories. As the NPM Japan Country Lead, you will represent the procurement function in Japan while collaborating closely with regional APAC and global procurement teams to support business growth, operational efficiency, transformation initiatives, and sustainable procurement objectives.

What you can look forward to as NPM Japan Country Lead:
•    Develop and execute the Japan NPM procurement strategy aligned with regional and global objectives.
•    Lead sourcing activities across all indirect material and service categories while optimizing supplier portfolios and procurement leverage.
•    Drive cost reduction initiatives, commercial negotiations, productivity improvements, and value creation activities contributing to EBIT improvement.
•    Build strategic supplier partnerships and strengthen supplier performance, risk management, and business continuity planning.
•    Manage procurement contracts, commercial terms, and contractual risk mitigation in collaboration with Legal and Finance functions.
•    Lead procurement digital transformation, process standardization, automation, and system implementation projects.
•    Partner with local management, plants, business functions, APAC, and Global Procurement organizations to support strategic initiatives.
•    Lead the Japan procurement team through talent development, organizational transformation, and change management programs.

Your Profile as NPM Japan Country Lead:
•    Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
•    Minimum 10 years of experience in indirect procurement (NPM), sourcing, purchasing, category management, and supplier management.
•    Proven track record in strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, and delivering measurable cost reduction and value creation results.
•    Demonstrated leadership experience managing procurement organizations, developing high-performing teams, and driving organizational effectiveness.
•    Experience working within multinational, regional, or global matrix organizations, with strong stakeholder management capabilities.
•    Solid understanding of procurement governance, compliance, contract management, supplier risk management, and business continuity planning.
•    Experience leading procurement transformation, digital procurement initiatives, system implementation projects, and change management programs.
•    Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English communication skills and strong project management capabilities; experience in the automotive/manufacturing industry and knowledge of ESG/sustainable procurement are advantageous.

Why you should choose ZF in Yokohama?
•    Annual Leave
•    Hybrid Work Environment
•    Flexible Working Hour
•    A supportive collaborative team environment
•    Growth Opportunity

Be part of our ZF team as NPM Country Lead Japan and apply now!
Contact
Aoi Terasaka
aoi.terasaka@zf.com