HR Operations Assistant Manager
About the Company
A global leader in the sports and lifestyle industry, this company designs, manufactures, and sells apparel, footwear, and accessories for active and casual lifestyles. With well-known international brands and a strong presence in action sports such as surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding, the company supports top athletes worldwide and promotes a vibrant, outdoor-inspired way of life.
Work Location & Hours
Location: Tokyo headquarters (Harajuku area)
Hours: 9:30–18:00 (1-hour break)
Work Style: Hybrid — up to 2 days/week remote work (subject to review)
Position Overview
The HR Operations Assistant Manager will oversee HR administration, vendor relationships, and HR data/system management for approximately 650 employees, including retail store staff. The role focuses on ensuring operational efficiency, enhancing the employee experience, and driving data-informed decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Manage administrative tasks across the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding
Oversee attendance management, payroll processing, and labor law compliance
Supervise and support payroll staff, including task allocation and review
Implement, operate, and maintain HR systems and digital tools to improve efficiency (HR tech)
Administer employee benefits programs (e.g., long-service awards, health and wellness checks)
Manage relationships with HR service vendors
Analyze HR data and prepare reports for management to support strategic decisions
Manage personnel budgets and forecasts
Conduct compensation and benefits benchmarking
Draft, revise, and manage internal HR policies and labor-management agreements
Provide employee consultation and resolve workplace issues
Participate in projects such as digital transformation, process improvement, and M&A-related initiatives
Perform other duties as assigned based on skills and experience
Required Qualifications
5+ years of experience in payroll, social insurance, and labor management for 300+ employees
Knowledge of HR practices and the Labor Standards Act
Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables) and Word (mail merge)
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in sports, fashion, consumer goods, or retail industries
Payroll vendor or labor/social insurance office experience
Business-level English proficiency
Experience implementing HR systems and improving business processes
Personal Attributes
Strong interpersonal communication skills across different roles and levels
Team-oriented, adaptable, and proactive
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: Competitive, based on experience (annual salary system with performance incentives)
Holidays: 2 days/week (Sat & Sun), public holidays, paid leave, summer vacation (3 days), New Year’s holiday (5 days), special leave (birthdays, celebrations, long service)
Benefits: Full social insurance, retirement plan, external welfare services, employee discounts
Other Perks: Flexible work hours, company sports events (beach day, snow tours), participation in sustainability initiatives (e.g., beach cleanups)