Lean Operations Associate (Japanese Speaker)

APM Terminals; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an Operations Lean Associate, where you will play a vital role in enhancing operational efficiency through Lean principles. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with global Lean experts, supporting the Sensei Program by facilitating communication and implementing Lean methodologies across various terminal locations. You will be part of a diverse team passionate about transformation and dedicated to making a difference in the industry. If you are eager to travel, learn, and grow into a Lean professional, this role is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in economics, business, supply chain, or operations.
• Fluency in English and Japanese, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Support translation between Japanese and English for Lean experts.
• Drive adoption of Lean practices and coach terminal management.

Skills

Fluency in English

Fluency in Japanese

Strong communication skills

Learning agility

Passion for change

Education

Degree in economics

Degree in business administration

Degree in supply chain

Degree in operations

Tools

Lean practices

TPM

Problem-solving techniques

Job description

APM Terminals

Operations Lean Associate

Imagine a world of seamless operations, where a culture of high LEAN maturity and engaged colleagues come together with one goal: to transform the industry and become the world’s most collaborative terminal company. By fostering company-wide collaboration among frontline experts, we will boost efficiency and deliver greater value to our customers. To achieve this "Flow", we will implement lean principles like pull and takt time, standardize processes, and tap into untapped resources. Through kaizen-driven improvements and increased visualization of progress, we’ll simplify and enhance our operations using in-house solutions.

Join our growing, diverse team, where we support one another, share a passion for transformation, and are driven to make a difference. We work hard, innovate, and have fun while shaping the future of our industry.

What We Offer

The Operations Lean Associate role offers a unique opportunity to grow with our improvement journey. You’ll support our Sensei Program by translating between Japanese and English for our Lean experts (Dojo Masters), gaining exposure to lean methodology and contributing to its adoption across our global terminal network.

The Sensei Program is aimed at enhancing lean thinking and behavior through on-the-job (hands-on) learning. Currently, our Japanese Dojo Masters will need translation support to successfully implement this program. This role will also serve as a platform for deepening lean knowledge and preparing you for a future business or functional role within APM Terminals. We are looking for someone who is eager to travel across the globe exploring diverse cultures and places, to learn, contribute, and become a lean professional within our organization.

Position available at our terminals: Miami, New York, Los Angeles (LA), São Paulo, and New Jersey Terminal locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Dojo Master with translation Japanese to English and vice versa.
• Drive the adoption of the Lean practices with a focus on KAIZEN and coaching terminal management.
• Under the guidance of Dojo Masters, provide specialized knowledge, guidance, and best practices for process development and optimization to global functions and terminals.
• Improve awareness of process compliance.
• Support problem-solving training sessions.
• Assist terminals in adopting the Flow program through audits and coaching as guided by the Dojo Master.
• Support the overall needs of the Dojo Master in delivering the program to terminals (schedules, visits, workshops, facilitation, etc.).
• Most importantly – live and learn the lean journey and be passionate about it.

We’re seeking someone eager to travel, explore diverse cultures, and grow into a lean professional within our organization.

Critical Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Background in economics, business administration, supply chain, or operations, with a degree or equivalent experience.
• Fluency in English and Japanese with the ability to interpret verbally and in writing.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
• Learning agility – willingness and ability to learn from experience and apply that learning into practice.
• Passion for being part of change and enabling it.

Things we can teach but is a benefit to have:

• Lean practices
• Developing and implementing global standards, policies, and processes in a cross-functional context.
• Lean experience or understanding, such as TPM, 6 big losses, VMS, problem-solving.

We’re excited to hear from you!

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].

Company Information

At APM Terminals, we are a team of over 20,000 employees spread across more than 60 countries united by a passion to provide our expertise in port operations and container management services. By providing the expertise and port infrastructure essential to world trade, we actively support the advancement of the societies around us, enabling local economies to unlock their potential and build an even stronger global community. Working with a team of talented professionals you will get a chance to experience different cultures and make friends all over the world. You'll find a culturally diverse, stimulating environment at any of our offices, terminals, or depots. When you join APM Terminals, the world is your workplace. APM Terminals is an independent business unit within the Danish Maersk Group - a Global Fortune 500 company with about 89,000 employees and offices in 130 countries with global growth opportunities in a range of fields from shipping and energy to our offshore and manufacturing industries - Join us to achieve even your most ambitious career goals! www.apmterminals.com