Food Procurement & Sourcing Manager – Oceania | Japanese-speaking

About This Position

Melbourne-based | Full Remote | Food Ingredients / Supplier Development / Export to Japan & Asia

Our client is a major global food group with a large-scale international network across Japan and overseas markets. As part of its continued expansion of its Oceania sourcing network, the company is seeking a highly capable Food Procurement & Sourcing Manager to support supplier development, market intelligence and food ingredient sourcing across Australia and New Zealand.

This is not a typical purchasing role.

It is closer to a local trading, sourcing and liaison role. You will be expected to build relationships with suppliers, gather market information, support procurement and export-related activities, and communicate closely with the company’s Australian management team, Japan headquarters and overseas group companies. The initial focus will include Australian beef and New Zealand dairy ingredients, while the broader sourcing scope may expand into other food categories such as grains, agricultural products, seafood and other food ingredients.

This role is particularly suitable for someone with a background in a Japanese trading company, food trading, food export, procurement, supplier development or supply chain coordination — someone who can work independently, communicate clearly, and build trusted relationships across both local and Japanese business environments.

Please note: Business-level Japanese is a firm requirement for this role, as regular reporting, coordination and communication with Japan-based stakeholders will be a core part of the position.

What does your next role look like?

As the Food Procurement & Sourcing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and strengthening the company’s sourcing network across Oceania, with a focus on Victoria and South-Eastern Australia. You will work closely with local suppliers, producers, processors, logistics providers and internal stakeholders to support stable and competitive food ingredient procurement for Japan and other Asian markets.

This is a newly created position. As the Melbourne-based role will be fully remote, the successful candidate must be highly self-motivated, organised, commercially aware and able to work with a high level of trust and independence. This is a hands-on role. You will be expected to personally engage with suppliers, visit sites, gather information, identify issues and follow through on practical procurement and export-related tasks.

• Identify, approach and develop relationships with food ingredient suppliers across Australia and New Zealand
• Build and maintain strong connections with producers, processors, exporters, logistics providers and other relevant industry contacts
• Source food products and raw materials for export to Japan and other Asian markets
• Gather market intelligence on food ingredients, agricultural products, commodity pricing, supply conditions and industry trends
• Support supplier evaluation, pricing discussions, commercial terms and ongoing relationship management
• Coordinate procurement-related communication between local suppliers, the Australian business, Japan headquarters and overseas group companies
• Support export-related operations, including documentation, logistics coordination, shipping schedules and container arrangements where required
• Monitor supply risks, quality issues, delivery timelines and alternative sourcing opportunities
• Prepare clear reports and updates for internal stakeholders in both Japanese and English
• Visit suppliers, farms, production sites, processors, warehouses and logistics partners as required
• Contribute to the long-term development of the company’s Oceania sourcing network

A little about you

Commercially minded, practical and relationship-driven, you don’t wait for detailed instructions before taking action. You’re comfortable gathering information, speaking with suppliers, identifying issues and building local networks from the ground up.

This role requires both independence and disciplined communication. Working remotely, you’ll be trusted to manage your own schedule — but regular reporting and close alignment with management and Japan-side stakeholders will always be essential.

This is not a desk-based procurement role. You’re here to be the local face of the business — visiting suppliers, asking the right questions, building trust, and turning market intelligence into practical action.

Skills and Experience Required

• Full working rights in Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Business-level Japanese, sufficient to communicate, report and coordinate smoothly with Japan-based stakeholders
• Strong English communication skills, sufficient to build relationships with local Australian suppliers and business partners
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Procurement, sourcing or food trading
  • Import/export or supply chain
  • Logistics or export documentation
  • Food ingredients, agriculture, meat, dairy, grain, seafood or FMCG-related industries
• Strong supplier communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to gather, analyse and report market information clearly
• High level of initiative, accountability and self-management
• Willingness to travel domestically as required
• Valid driver’s licence and access to own vehicle

Highly Regarded

• Experience with a Japanese trading company, food trading company, food manufacturer, exporter or global food business
• Knowledge of Australian beef, dairy, grain, seafood, agricultural products or food ingredient markets
• Experience dealing with Japan or other Asian markets
• Supplier development experience
• Understanding of food safety, product specifications, QA requirements or export compliance
• Previous experience working with Japanese headquarters or Japanese corporate stakeholders

Location

Full remote, Melbourne-based

Working Hour

Full-time (Monday-Friday)

Salary range

AUD $100,000 – $120,000 + Super

Working flexibility

Full remote

Start From

Around 1 October 2026

Application due date

Sunday, 12 July 2026 – Early applications are strongly encouraged, as shortlisted candidates may be contacted prior to the closing date.

What this opportunity offers

Global food supply chains are under pressure. Political uncertainty, rising demand across Asia, and the need to diversify supply sources are leading major food groups to invest more seriously in Oceania sourcing. This role sits directly in that movement.

You will not simply be processing orders or managing existing purchasing tasks. You will be helping to build supplier relationships, gather market intelligence, strengthen procurement channels, and support the company’s long-term food supply strategy across Australia and New Zealand.

For someone with trading, procurement, food export or supplier development experience, this role offers significant scope, autonomy and long-term career potential within a global organisation with the scale to back it up.

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV and a brief note outlining your relevant experience.

Applications are managed confidentially. The client’s name will be shared with shortlisted candidates only.

Only candidates with full working rights in Australia will be considered. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.