INTRODUCTION

An opportunity with USJ's Digital and Technology team is an experience like no other. From developing state-of-the-art theme park locations in Orlando, Hollywood, Beijing and Japan, to new destinations, like our Halloween Horror nights themed destination in Vegas and a kids park in Frisco… our teams are at the heart of the new and innovative digital technologies that power our guest and team member experiences.

In this role, you will be responsible for working with our business partners and product teams to understand the requirements that drive the technology solutions we will deploy and analyze key requirements needed. You will engage in the testing cycles of those solutions to align and drive that the design meets the original set of expectations. You are part of a global team that is consistently looking at ways to enhance the experience for guests, from planning their trip to their in park visit, to their post return while driving the best experience all around.

As part of the Digital and Technology team, you will work in a global and multinational team atmosphere, with team members that come to work with us, from various countries. You will engage with not only team members but with multinational vendors that support our destinations and experiences across the globe. So be prepared, as our primary language to operate in is English, daily; however, having other languages, like Japanese is a plus, for local communications.

After joining the company, you will gain a basic understanding of the latest technology for our theme parks and overall in park ride solutions. Not to worry, we will work with you to refine your business system analysis skills. Your role will be responsible for reporting to management both in Japan and within the US. Regardless of your length of service, you will be involved in operations with other parks around the world and will be able to grow significantly.

Examples of projects or the kind of projects you may engage in, include but are not limited to:

Commerce Platform
Ticketing and Access Control systems
Web and Mobile application development
Gaming and new technologies innovations, that connect the guest at home and in park
Photo validation technologies
Ride Reservation platforms
Food and Beverage platforms
Character digitally connected experiences, and the list goes on.

So come join the fun, with destinations all around the world, Universal Destinations and Experiences Digital & Technology team, has multiple ways to immerse you in our brand, while growing your career.

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Manager, Vendor Management Office (VMO), in the Digital & Technology division at Universal Studios Japan (USJ), is a key member of the global team advancing vendor management and operational excellence. This role drives transparency, vendor budget management, and vendor negotiations in collaboration with the sourcing team. Responsibilities include comprehensive vendor management, process improvement from ordering to payment, payment status oversight, vendor resource management, and ensuring vendor compliance. The Assistant Manager also visualizes vendor-related statuses to support efficient IT operations.

Working closely with Vendors, project managers, the Planning and Finance departments, and global stakeholders within UDX, this position manages a portfolio of active projects, ensuring alignment with project objectives and vendor governance standards. The role involves frequent interactions with external vendors and is ideal for a detail-oriented, forward-thinking professional. Strong communication and improvement skills are required, along with a passion for supporting both employees and contractors in delivering significant business value. Additionally, the Assistant Manager is expected to take a mid- to long-term perspective to improve the framework for contractor management at USJ in collaboration with UDX, aiming for more efficient resource and budget management in the future.

The successful candidate will lead local enhancements for continuous improvement within the VMO, strengthen reporting and performance tracking, and help foster a culture of ongoing improvement within the Digital & Technology organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

VENDOR Management: Vendor Governance and Process Optimization: 30%
· Establish and maintain transparent vendor management processes.
· Collaborate with Sourcing and Legal teams to define and update policies, standards, and templates (e.g., RFPs/RFIs).
· Continuously improve workflows from procurement to payment to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.
· Validate vendor quotations in partnership with project managers and sourcing teams.

VENDOR MANAGEMENT: Contractual and Financial Oversight: 30%

· Manage and track purchase orders (POs) and invoices to ensure timely payments and adherence to contract terms.

· Provide regular reporting on PO status and payment progress.

· Ensure contract documentation and financial transactions are properly aligned with vendor agreements.

VENDOR MANAGEMENT: Vendor Performance and Relationship Management: 40%

・Monitor vendor performance through feedback from Build and Sustain teams.

· Develop and maintain scorecards and performance metrics to evaluate vendor contributions.

· Analyze vendor dependency ratios across systems and projects to inform strategic decisions.

· Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and relationship-building initiatives with key vendors

DEPARTMENT DUTIES:

· Lead the implementation of UDX global standards, and promote the clarification and localization of various management practices.

· Continuously review and improve departmental workflows and the work environment to drive operational efficiency and team effectiveness.

· Promote open communication and collaboration within the department to enhance overall productivity, alignment, and morale.

· Proactively propose optimal ways of working in a fast-changing environment, focusing on effective collaboration with UDX and alignment with global priorities.

· Maintain strong relationships with various vendors and support the smooth progress of projects by fostering win-win partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS  

· 3-5 years of experience in Procurement with IT vendors, Project Management Office (PMO) in a global or multinational environment.

· Experience of Vendor Negotiation inthe IT field

· Solid experience in managing CapEx and OpEx budgets, tracking financial performance, and ensuring alignment between forecasts and actuals.

· Demonstrated ability to apply Logical-Thinking and structured problem-solving to assess complex situations, identify root causes, and develop actionable recommendations.

· Proven ability to work cross-functionally with international teams, including project managers, finance teams, and global stakeholders.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

· Candidates with CIPS certification are welcome. If not certified, equivalent practical experience and a strong willingness to obtain certification are required.

· Experience in informal mentoring or coaching of 1–2 junior analysts or team members is preferred, as this role may involve supporting younger team members.

· A collaborative team player who can work courteously and efficiently with both internal and external stakeholders. Able to take initiative, approach challenges positively, and drive project success with a strong sense of responsibility.

· Possesses strong interpersonal skills to engage with all levels of the organization and propose innovative ideas.

· Demonstrates excellent communication skills, with the ability to express ideas clearly and proactively in diverse business environments.

· Strong analytical and logical thinking skills, capable of analyzing complex issues and proposing clear, actionable solutions.

LANGUAGE

· Business-level English communication skills, both written and verbal, to engage effectively with global counterparts. e.g. TOEIC+850

· Native in Japanese for smooth business operations, including documentation and participation in meetings.

Work Location

Osaka, Japan

LIFE at Universal Studios Japan

Perks & Benefits | 福利厚生

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CSR | L♡VE HAS NO LIMIT

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