Japanese BIlingual Purchasing Assistant

Atterro; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Global food & beverage manufacturing and distribution organization is seeking a self-motivated Japanese bilingual Purchasing Assistant to join their team in Torrance, CA.

This role provides essential administrative and operational support to the Purchasing Department across domestic and international functions.

Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English (reading, writing, and speaking).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, and/or supply chain roles, or strong interest to pursue purchasing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Valid California Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Support international purchasing: obtain quotes, process orders, and track delivery.
• Review invoices and manage inventory with overseas HQ in Japan.
• Coordinate domestic purchasing with co-packers and vendors to ensure timely deliveries.
• Provide English/Japanese translation support for cross-border communications.

Skills

Bilingual (Japanese/English)

Communication

Negotiation

Data entry accuracy

Office software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC

ERP systems

Job description

Bilingual
Purchasing Assistant (Japanese / English)

Location: Torrance, CA (Onsite)

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Work Schedules: Monday -
Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Note: Working schedule may fluctuate with rotating
shift start times, such as an 8:00 AM start, to be finalized at a later date).

Summary

global food & beverage
manufacturing and distribution organization is seeking a self-motivated
Japanese Bilingual Purchasing Assistant to join their team in Torrance, CA.
This role provides essential administrative and operational support to the
Purchasing Department across domestic and international functions. This is an
ideal position for a bilingual individual with strong communication skills and
a keen interest in growing a career within the food and beverage supply chain
industry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• International Purchasing Support:
  • Obtain
    quotes from freight forwarders for air shipments, process orders, and
    track status through delivery.
  • Review
    forwarder invoices for accuracy, receive products into the system, and
    route invoices to accounting.
  • Calculate
    shipping costs, quote sales teams, and prepare shipping documentation for
    international destinations.
  • Coordinate
    label and packaging material orders and maintain adequate inventory
    levels with overseas headquarters in Japan.
• Domestic Purchasing Support:
  • Communicate
    with co-packers, vendors, and logistics personnel to ensure timely
    product deliveries and adherence to quality standards.
  • Generate
    discrepancy reports for shortages, delays, or damaged goods.
  • Process
    co-packer and vendor invoices, verifying pricing and quantities before
    receiving products into the system.
  • Track
    raw material inventory (flavors, ingredients, components) with co-packers
    and assist management with co-packer performance evaluations.
  • Print
    and order product pouches, inner case labels, and shipping labels,
    maintaining adequate U.S. inventory levels.
• Administrative & Relationship Support:
  • Research
    required materials and ingredients, request samples, and follow up as
    needed.
  • Maintain
    supplier and pricing lists, process inventory adjustments, and prepare
    requisitions/purchase orders.
  • Build
    and maintain positive communication channels with vendors, clients, and
    cross-functional teams.
  • Provide
    fluent English and Japanese translation support for cross-border
    communications.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated,
  results-oriented, and able to work independently.
• Excellent
  communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated
  understanding of, or keen interest in, the dynamics and trends of the food
  and beverage industry.
• High
  ethical standards, strong organizational abilities, and meticulous data
  entry accuracy.
• Ability
  to work effectively in a moderate-noise office environment and lift up to
  50 lbs. as needed.

Required

• Language:
  Bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English (reading, writing, and
  speaking) to communicate effectively with teams in the U.S. and Japan.
• Education:
  Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, or equivalent
  combination of education and work experience.
• Interest/Background:
  Experience in purchasing, procurement, and/or supply chain roles, OR a
  strong interest and eagerness to pursue a purchasing career.
• Software/Technical:
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• License:
  Valid
  California Driver's License.

Preferred

• Minimum
  of 1 year of office experience preferred.
• Experience
  in food and beverage ingredients, value-added ingredients, or
  nutraceutical industries.
• Experience
  with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar ERP systems.