Senior Supply Chain Manager

Location Tokyo
Discipline Supply Chain & Procurement
Job type Permanent
Salary Negotiable
Reference 55878

Company overview 

A Japan-based subsidiary of a Parisian luxury fragrance and lifestyle house, it distributes and retails high-end scented candles, perfumes, body care, and home fragrance products through boutiques and department store locations across the country. The local operation has been serving the Japanese market for over a decade, blending French artisanal scent traditions with regional retail experiences.

Position Summary

The Senior Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end Supply Chain organization of Diptyque Japan, ensuring operational excellence, brand protection, and best-in-class customer experience across Retail, E-commerce, and Wholesale channels.
This role safeguards product availability, optimizes inventory, and elevates service levels while fully aligning with global Supply Chain guidelines and Maison values.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Supply Chain Leadership

  • Oversee all Supply Chain functions: Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Logistics, Warehouse Operations, Transportation, Customs, and Inventory Control.

  • Lead monthly S&OP cycles and ensure full alignment between Commercial, Marketing, Finance, and HQ Planning teams.

  • Guarantee product availability for all key brand moments (Holiday, Orpheon launches, Boutique openings, E-com peaks).

2. Demand & Supply Planning Excellence

  • Steer accurate demand forecasting across channels, incorporating sell-in, sell-out, KPIs, traffic trends, and launch dynamics.

  • Translate sales plans into optimal supply plans, preventing both stockout risks and overstocks.

  • Partner closely with HQ Planning to secure strategic allocations during global shortages or high-demand events.

3. Inventory & Service Level Management

  • Manage national inventory targets (DOS, coverage, obsolescence, devaluation risk).

  • Design and implement action plans to reduce write-offs, expiry risks, defects, and slow movers.

  • Maintain excellence in service levels, OTIF, and order fulfilment for Retail, E-commerce, and Wholesale.

4. Logistics & Warehouse Operations

  • Oversee 3PL performance across warehousing, pick/pack, VAS, gift wrapping, and last-mile delivery.

  • Ensure operational quality aligned with Maison standards (packaging, QC checks, damage reduction).

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives on lead time, accuracy, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

5. Compliance, Quality & Maison Standards

  • Ensure full compliance with Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals regulations for storage, transport, and returns handling.

  • Implement Diptyque quality standards and procedures for incoming QC, defect monitoring, and after-sales flows.

  • Support internal audits, traceability requirements, and regulatory inspections.

6. Retail & E-commerce Business Partnership

  • Act as a strategic partner to Retail and E-commerce leaders, providing Supply Chain insights for campaign planning, openings, O2O activation, and VM execution.

  • Coordinate operational readiness for new boutiques, pop-ups, and promotional events.

7. Cost Management & Efficiency Projects

  • Manage supply chain budgets: logistics expenses, transport, warehousing, and customs.

  • Identify savings opportunities through route optimization, vendor negotiation, automation, and process redesign.

  • Collaborate with Finance on COGS impact, duties, and FM optimization.

8. Team Leadership & Development

  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Supply Chain team.

  • Foster resilience, collaboration, and operational excellence aligned with Maison culture.

  • Build strong cross-functional relationships with Commercial, Finance, HR, IT, and HQ teams.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or related field.

  • Minimum 7–10 yearsof Supply Chain experience in luxury, cosmetics, FMCG, or premium retail.

  • Strong expertise in Demand Planning, S&OP, Inventory Management, and Logistics.

  • Experience managing 3PLs and complex multi-channel operations.

  • Proficiency in ERP systems (preferably CEGID / SAP) and advanced Excel/Analytics skills.

  • Fluent in Japanese and English.

Key Competencies

  • Strong business acumen with a luxury retail mindset.

  • High sense of ownership, accuracy, and operational discipline.

  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

  • Ability to balance strategic thinking with daily operational execution.

  • Passion for delivering exceptional client experience through flawless supply chain execution.