Senior Supply Chain Manager, Japan

Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo

Vantive is a vital organ therapy company on a mission to extend lives and expand possibilities for patients and care teams everywhere. For 70 years, our team has driven meaningful innovations in kidney care. As we build on our legacy, we are deepening our commitment to elevating the dialysis experience through digital solutions and advanced services, while looking beyond kidney care and investing in transforming vital organ therapies. Greater flexibility and efficiency in therapy administration for care teams, and longer, fuller lives for patients— that is what Vantive aspires to deliver.

We believe Vantive will not only build our leadership in the kidney care space, it will also offer meaningful work to those who join us. At Vantive, you will become part of a community of people who are focused, courageous and don’t settle for the mediocre. Each of us is driven to help improve patients’ lives worldwide. Join us in advancing our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities.

Position: Senior Supply Chain Manager, Japan

Office Location: Vantive Head Office in Tokyo.

Report: Senior Supply Chain & Logistics Director, APAC

Job Scope

The Japan Supply Chain Lead is accountable for the end‑to‑end delivery of supply chain performance for the assigned market. This role provides on‑the‑ground leadership across all supply chain functions, ensuring effective execution of the supply chain strategy, strong financial performance, and reliable service to customers and patients.

The role owns the operational and financial outcomes of the supply chain, including planning, sourcing, logistics, warehousing, distribution, customer service, inventory management, and network optimisation. The Supply Chain Lead ensures alignment across all supply chain activities, supports integrated business planning processes, and drives continuous improvement to meet service, cost, quality, and compliance objectives.

Operating in a matrixed environment, this role is responsible for orchestrating cross‑functional execution, enabling collaboration across regional and global teams, and translating strategy into tangible operational results for the market

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy Execution & End‑to‑End Accountability

• Accountable for delivering the end‑to‑end supply chain strategy for the assigned market, translating strategic priorities into operational execution.
• Own the overall performance of the supply chain, ensuring alignment across planning, sourcing, logistics, warehousing, distribution, and customer service.
• Own the relationship, the performance and the strategic direction of the 3PL/4PL and/or distributors.
• Provide strong leadership presence within the Market , driving accountability, engagement, and execution across all supply chain activities.
• Ensure supply chain capabilities are scalable, resilient, and aligned to current and future business needs.

Financial Ownership & P&L Management

• Own and manage the supply chain P&L for the Market, including budget development, cost control, and financial performance against targets.
• Drive productivity, cost optimisation, and working capital improvements while maintaining service and quality standards.
• Establish robust governance, review mechanisms, and mitigation plans to manage variances and financial risks.

Planning, Inventory & Integrated Execution

• Accountable for achieving inventory targets for the market, balancing service, cost, and cash objectives.
• Support and enable integrated planning processes, including demand, supply, and operational planning, to ensure alignment with business priorities.
• Ensure effective execution of planning outcomes across the supply chain, with clear ownership and follow‑through.
• Drive scenario planning and risk mitigation to address volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Network & Operations Excellence

• Own network optimisation for the market, including distribution footprint, transportation models, and flow paths.
• Ensure operational excellence across warehousing, distribution, and transportation, with a focus on service, efficiency, and compliance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance, reduce complexity, and improve customer experience.

Leadership, Talent & Stakeholder Management

• Lead, coach, and develop supply chain leaders and teams across the market, fostering a high‑performance and continuous improvement culture.
• Build strong partnerships with commercial, quality, regulatory, finance, and global supply chain teams to enable end‑to‑end outcomes.
• Act as the primary supply chain leader for the market, representing supply chain in key business discussions and decision forums.
• Identify and escalate critical issues, presenting data‑driven options and recommendations to senior leadership.

Quality, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with all applicable quality, regulatory, EHS, trade, and corporate requirements across the end‑to‑end supply chain.
• Embed risk management and compliance into daily operations and strategic decision‑making.
• Drive a culture of safety, quality, and accountability across all supply chain activities.
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Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain or related field preferred. Graduate degree (MBA) preferred.
• Minimum 8- 10 years’ experience in supply chain management is required and may include warehousing, distribution, logistics, transportation, inventory management / control and customer service.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a leader / manager who leads other leaders.
• Assessing, developing and managing talent to benefit professional growth to meet business objectives.
• Language: High level business English & fluent Japanese.
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, interpersonal, and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent managerial, analytical, organizational, problem solving, negotiating skills, and communication (both verbal and written)
• Managing financial metrics, P&L and cost reduction
• FDA/highly regulated environments
• Performing within a large, matrixed, global manufacturing organisation required.
• Demonstrate an ability to assess the impact of short-term decisions on the longer term business goals.
• Must also have project management skills.

Reasonable Accommodation

Vantive is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information. Form Link

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