Head of Procurement

Location: Nagoya, JapanReports to: Procurement DirectorStart date: ASAPEnd date: Dec 2026Job Overview:GL events Japan K.K. is the Japanese branch of GL events, a global leader in integrated event solutions and services. Leveraging decades of expertise in major international sporting events; including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup and many others—the company delivers end-to-end solutions across event space design, overlay and temporary infrastructure, operations, logistics, and technical support. As part of GL events Group, operating in 20+ countries with over 5,000 employees and €1.3bn in revenues, GL events Japan supports world-class projects like Expo 2025 Osaka and the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya.We are seeking a highly motivated and organized Head of Procurement. You will be responsible for the procurement strategy and performance across a major project or a portfolio of strategic projects. As a key interface between project teams, procurement leadership, suppliers, and support functions (finance, legal, technical), you are to ensure the competitiveness, quality, timeliness, and compliance of all project-related purchases. You are to lead the project procurement team and secure contractual commitments with suppliers and subcontractors.Key Respnsibilities:As a Head f Prcurement, yu will be respnsible fr:Strategic procurement leadershipDefine and deploy the procurement strategy for the project, aligned with operational, financial, and contractual objectives.Identify critical needs in collaboration with project teams (schedules, specifications, risks).Develop a consolidated procurement plan including milestones, priorities, budgets, and target suppliers.Team management and coordinationLead and manage project procurement resources (Project Buyers, Contract Managers, etc.).Structure work methods and processes for tendering, negotiation, and contracting.Ensure alignment between procurement strategy, project execution, and client constraints.Sourcing & negotiationOversee strategic tenders and select suppliers/subcontractors best suited to the project.Lead key negotiations (pricing, terms and conditions, delivery timelines, warranties, penalties, etc.).Ensure customer requirements are appropriately integrated into supplier contracts.Execution monitoring & performanceMonitor project procurement performance (KPIs, cost, quality, timelines, disputes).Manage supplier risks, contractual alerts, and renegotiations when required.Consolidate procurement reporting for the project management team and procurement leadership.Cross-functional collaborationWork closely with Finance, Legal, Operations, Logistics, and other support teams.Participate in project meetings, supplier arbitrations, and steering committees.Ensure compliance with internal policies (CSR, ethics, compliance, governance).Qualifications:Japanese and English speaker,Master’s degree in Procurement, Engineering, Business or equivalent.Solid experience (8–12 years) in project procurement management for complex environments, ideally across multiple sites or in international settings.Experience in event management or live operations is a strong plus.Strong leadership, autonomy, rigor, and result-oriented mindset.Proven expertise in negotiation techniques, contracts, and budget control.Technical acumen to effectively engage with technical teams and challenge proposed solutions.Strong project management mindset, with anticipation and problem-solving skills.Proficient in procurement tools and ERP systems.