APAC Management Trainee - Procurement Japan

About the role

Sika, a specialty chemicals company, is recruiting a Procurement Management Trainee for its APAC region, based in Tokyo. The programme is an 18-month, three-phase learning journey combining on-the-job training, formal learning, mentoring, coaching and project work, leading to a 6-month overseas placement. It prepares candidates for a future career in procurement or supply chain management.

Key responsibilities

• Follow a structured 3-year procurement management training plan ending with a project dissertation and a 6-month overseas placement.
• Work on regional projects across multiple countries, analyse spend and market trends, and support supplier negotiations.
• Support category management: spend analysis, sourcing strategy, tendering, commercial evaluation, negotiation, contracting, implementation and performance monitoring.
• Take part in supplier selection, evaluation, development and performance management.
• Learn procurement tools, systems and processes, including ERP, sourcing, reporting and analytical tools.
• Support improvement projects on cost competitiveness, supplier performance, process efficiency, compliance, sustainability and working capital.
• Build commercial and financial understanding, including total cost of ownership, price and market analysis, budgeting and business cases.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Sales, R&D and other functions, and take part in regional and global procurement initiatives.
• Complete programme assessments, maintain documentation in line with compliance standards, and finish the overseas assignment.

Required profile

• Located in Tokyo and willing to relocate to other APAC countries such as Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur when opportunities arise.
• Excellent academic results and highly numerate, with a technical or engineering background.
• Overseas experience (e.g. study) or a mixed international family background.
• Strong communication skills, self-starter with good planning and time management, and an international mindset.

Required skills

• Well-developed IT skills and knowledge of the MS Office suite.
• Knowledge of AI tools.

What we offer

• A structured 18-month development journey with a personal learning roadmap.
• Dedicated mentoring and coaching from experienced leaders.
• Hands-on experience through business assignments and cross-functional exposure.
• Structured learning and leadership development programmes, with regular feedback and career development discussions.
• Competitive pay depending on skills, education, training and experience.