Mutual Trading Co., Inc. Is Hiring A Japanese Bilingual Purchasing Coordinator

Join a historic company dedicated to serving and promoting Japanese foods worldwide, offering a rewarding role in a vibrant and multicultural environment. 🇯🇵

Who We Are

Established in 1926, Mutual Trading Co., Inc. began as a small co-op organization focused on centralized purchasing of basic import foods to support the early Japanese immigrant community in Southern California. Today, nearly 100 years later, we’ve grown into a leading Japanese foodservice supplier, proudly acting as a "Culinary Ambassador" promoting Japanese cuisine globally. We import, manufacture, and distribute over 8,000 Japanese foods, beverages, restaurant equipment, and supplies.

Benefits

• 💼 All paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees and their dependents
• 🛡️ Life Insurance and 401k Plan with company match

Location

El Monte, CA

Working Hours

Monday through Friday: 8AM – 5PM
1-hour lunch break
Overtime as needed

Essential Job Functions

• 🤝 Coordinate with department managers and Purchasing Agents to manage supplier relationships, uphold product quality, ensure timely deliveries, and verify contract compliance
• 📝 Issue purchase orders to suppliers
• 🆕 Assist with setting up stock numbers for new items
• 🍣 Research and develop new products through tasting, evaluating samples, visiting production sites, and collaborating with sales and warehouse teams to meet customer preferences
• 🌐 Coordinate with group and affiliated companies to process and ship orders
• 🗣️ Negotiate bulk discounts with the department team, coordinating with MTC Group for large purchases
• 📦 Conduct inventory checks and resolve discrepancies in the warehouse
• 🎉 Assist in preparing for the annual Food Expo
• 🎊 Attend company events and functions outside normal hours
• 🕒 Participate in semiannual inventory counts, possibly on weekends
• 🔧 Perform other duties as assigned by the department manager
• 📢 Respond to management requests as required

Physical Requirements

• 🪑 Sit and work comfortably in an office setting for extended periods
• ⌨️ Use a computer and type for prolonged durations
• 👂 Talk, hear, walk, stand, smell, taste, reach, bend, kneel, and lift/move up to 25 pounds occasionally

Working Conditions

• 🔊 Noise Level: Normal to loud in the office environment
• 🏢 Indoors, with travel to vendor sites as necessary

Other Requirements

• 🗣️ Business-level proficiency in English (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
• 🉐 Business-level proficiency in Japanese (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
• 😊 Maintain a positive attitude and teamwork mindset
• 🔄 Ability to adapt to changing assignments and workloads
• 🎓 High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree in Business preferred
• 🛒 2+ years of purchasing experience preferred, especially in the food industry

Knowledge and Skills

• 🗂️ Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• ➕ Basic math skills: markups, discounts, inventory counting, conversions, etc.
• 💬 Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, and problem-solving skills
• 💻 Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• 📊 Knowledge of ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics NAV, is highly preferred
• 🍶 Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors is a plus

Disclaimers

This job description is not exhaustive and may be supplemented with additional duties as assigned by management. The information herein is subject to change at the company's sole discretion. This document does not constitute an employment contract nor alter the at-will employment status. All requirements are subject to accommodations under applicable federal and state laws, including ADA and FEHA. Please notify HR of any changes in essential job functions.

Mutual Trading Co., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 🌏