Job Description
Business Overview
Rakuten Group has approximately 100 million customers in Japan and 1 billion worldwide, offering over 70 services including e-commerce, payment services, financial services, communication, media, and sports. Our division's mission is to contribute to the growth of each of these services by leveraging data and AI. Our AI & Data Dvision is pioneering in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver exceptional experiences across our services.

Department Overview
Rakuten operates a vast ecosystem, including E-commerce (Rakuten Ichiba), FinTech, and Mobile, supporting nearly every aspect of our customers' lives.

Within this, the Data Knowledge Department's mission is to enhance Rakuten services by organizing and providing various master data - from products to brands and corporate information - as "Knowledge," along with the "meaning" and "relationships" between data.

Specifically, we consistently drive catalog data preparation, solution development, and data utilization to address business challenges within Rakuten.

Through continuous improvement in technology and operations, we strive to provide reliable, high-quality data as "Knowledge," contributing to enhanced shopping experiences, optimized marketing strategies, and streamlined internal processes across Rakuten.

We are looking for Data Product Managers to co-create the future of "Knowledge" as data and customer experience. We welcome those eager to support Rakuten's rapid growth through data and knowledge, and embrace new challenges.

Position
Why We Hire
Data Knowledge Department (DKD) has been playing a pivotal role in Rakuten Group, serving as the data expert behind critical business decisions and solutions. As we continue to expand, both in terms of data generation and data enrichment solutions, we are seeing a rapid increase in the number of clients we serve. To support this growth, we are seeking talented engineers who are excited to contribute to our mission and vision for the future.

As Rakuten scales its business, we need individuals with a challenging spirit - those who are eager to drive our data product management and tackle innovative projects in a fast-paced environment.

Based on demands and potential of Catalog Knowledge data, we are requesting for persons who can plan for the overall strategy including the optimization of operation, system, utilization etc. of the product.

Position Details
As a Data Product Manager of one of our Catalog Knowledge data, the main responsibility of this position is to lead product management of our catalog data asset as data products, to making proposal for data solution/system, and creating overall product strategy with collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensure that our Catalog Knowledge enhance Rakuten's service experiences for our customers. You will be instrumental in addressing complex challenges, driving continuous improvements, and shaping the long-term success of our product.

The ideal candidate possesses both data product management expertise and a strong technical background, coupled with a passion for solving complex data challenges. You will formulate and powerfully drive the vision and strategy for managing and advancing Rakuten's catalog data knowledge. Close collaboration with diverse teams, including engineering teams and global stakeholders across various regions, is essential to ensure the highest quality of catalog data and its alignment with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Data Product Strategy Formulation And Promotion

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to define product vision and strategy. Ensure alignment with organizational and business goals, and powerfully drive their realization
• Formulate comprehensive catalog data strategies, maximizing the value of data products through optimization of operations, systems, and utilization methods
• Proactively identify data-related business challenges and execute strategic solutions. Maintain continuous improvement of catalog data and its alignment with strategic objectives

Execution Management And Quality Assurance

• Collaborate with global teams, including those in Japan, China, and India, to formulate and promote common goals and execution plans for catalog data management and utilization
• Establish and enforce best practices and standards for data generation processes, ensuring data accuracy, reliability, and comprehensiveness
• Develop and manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to visualize performance. Support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement cycles
• Lead projects for data quality improvement and utilization expansion, pursuing business contributions

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Efficiently collaborate with relevant parties (including offshore teams) to maximize team performance towards achieving product goals
• Smoothly coordinate collaboration between business divisions and development divisions. Lead catalog data-related projects and product improvements to success

Mandatory Qualifications
Proven Success in Data Product Leadership:

• 5+ years of experience in product management or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of leading data products from strategy and launch through growth, and achieving tangible results

Deep Understanding Of Data & Business

• Experience in solving complex business challenges and creating new value through data extraction, analysis, and insights
• Ability to understand complex data and systems, translating them into impactful business outcomes

Strategic Thinking And Execution Capability

• Proven track record of independently formulating strategies even in uncertain situations, engaging teams and stakeholders, and powerfully driving projects towards goal achievement
• Project management capability and KPI management skills based on business, customer, and operational metrics

Leadership In Driving Change

• Proven ability to develop strategies, mobilize teams and stakeholders, and effectively drive projects towards goal achievement, even in ambiguous or uncertain environments

Global Collaboration & Communication

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural teams with high proficiency in both Japanese and English, enabling seamless cross-functional collaboration and effective stakeholder management in a diverse, global setting

Desired Qualifications
Deep Data Management Expertise:

• Solid understanding and practical experience in data modeling, analysis, and quality

Knowledge System Experience

• Practical experience with Information Architecture, ontologies, taxonomies, or similar knowledge organization systems

Domain-Specific Data Insight

• Experience in data analysis or design within E-commerce, Internet Services, or Advertising

Translating Business To Data

• Ability to convert business needs into actionable data strategies and requirements

AI/ML/LLM Application

• Experience applying AI, ML, or LLM solutions for operational or product improvements

Strong Analytical Tool Skills

• Proficiency in analytical tools and languages like SQL, Python, or R

Business-Driven Development Leadership

• Experience leading development balancing technical execution with strategic business impact

engineer #producer #productmanager #director #projectmanager #aianddatadiv

Languages
English (Overall - 3 - Advanced), Japanese (Overall - 3 - Advanced)