Japanese Innovation Project Coordinator

Role Overview

We are looking for a Japanese Innovation Project Coordinator to support the management of multiple product and packaging innovation projects for a leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) client.

The role will coordinate with Japanese and global stakeholders, supporting projects from concept development through launch. The ideal candidate has 2–3 years of project management or project coordination experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in both Japanese and English.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end project coordination support for product and packaging innovation projects, from concept development and feasibility validation through R&D, business proposal, approval, and launch.
• Support senior project team members with the day-to-day management and execution of multiple innovation projects.
• Coordinate with Japanese clients/stakeholders and global cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on project scope, objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
• Facilitate project update meetings and communicate key decisions, action items, and project updates to stakeholders.
• Monitor project progress, milestones, deliverables, deadlines, and potential delays.
• Maintain accurate project trackers and documentation using Excel and project management tools.
• Consolidate inputs and feedback from Japanese and global stakeholders to ensure project requirements and documentation are complete and accurate.
• Support feedback and review cycles to minimize unnecessary iterations and keep projects moving efficiently.
• Prepare and maintain meeting minutes, presentations, project reports, and communication materials.
• Proactively identify project risks, gaps, and issues and escalate them to senior project team members.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration across Japanese, local, and global teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• MBA is preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in project management, project coordination, or a similar role.
• Experience in CPG/FMCG, consumer products, marketing, product development, or a related industry is preferred.
• Familiarity with product innovation, packaging innovation, or New Product Development (NPD) processes is highly preferred.
• Japanese language proficiency with the ability to communicate effectively with Japanese stakeholders.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with project management tools such as Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira.
• Strong organizational, coordination, documentation, and attention-to-detail skills.

Key Skills

• Japanese & English Communication
• Project Coordination & Management
• Innovation Project Management
• Product & Packaging Innovation
• New Product Development
• CPG / FMCG
• Stakeholder Management
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Project Tracking & Reporting
• Meeting Facilitation
• Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint
• Project Management Tools
• Documentation & Presentation
• Problem Solving
• Process Coordination

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working with Japanese, local, and global stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Able to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Culturally sensitive and comfortable working in an international environment.
• Proactive in identifying and addressing project challenges.
• Flexible and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to delivering projects accurately and on time.