Product Manager, Ichiba Search Experience - Search Department (SED) at Rakuten

Tokyo, , Japan -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

03 Apr, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

03 Jan, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Product Management, Search Technologies, User Research, Stakeholder Management, Data Analysis, Agile Methodologies, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Communication, Market Analysis, User Experience, Performance Metrics, Japanese Language, English Language, E-commerce, Recommendation Systems

Industry

Software Development

Description

Job Description: Business Overview Rakuten Group, Inc. is the largest e-Commerce company in Japan, and provides a variety of services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to many users all over the world. Department Overview The Rakuten Search team creates powerful, customer-focused search. Whenever a customer visits an Rakuten services and types in a query or browses through product categories, the Rakuten Search services go to work. We design, develop, and deploy high performance, fault-tolerant distributed search systems used by millions of Rakuten customers every day. Our Search product management team works with key business like Ichiba to commerce user facing user experience. Position: Position Details We are seeking a Product Manager to spearhead the ongoing enhancement of our search user experience and functionality in Ichiba. This role involves developing and executing a product roadmap aimed at optimizing search functionalities, ensuring that our users can quickly find relevant products and information. Fluency in Japanese is essential, as a key aspect of this position is collaborating with Japanese-speaking stakeholders and understanding local market nuances. Key Responsibilities Product Strategy & Roadmap - Define and maintain the product vision and strategy for search-related features. - Develop and prioritize a product roadmap that aligns with the company’s objectives and user needs. - Conduct market and competitive analysis, especially focusing on the Japanese e-commerce landscape. User Research & Insights - Conduct user research (including Japanese-speaking user groups), analyze feedback, and translate insights into actionable product improvements. - Work closely with the analytics team to measure search performance (e.g., conversion, click-through rates) and continuously optimize based on data-driven insights. Collaboration & Stakeholder Management - Serve as the primary liaison between cross-functional teams (engineering, design, marketing, customer support), ensuring smooth communication and alignment of goals. - Engage with Japanese-speaking stakeholders to understand requirements and address concerns specific to the Japanese market. - Present product updates, progress reports, and future plans to leadership and relevant stakeholders on a regular basis. Project Management & Execution - Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from conception to launch, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outputs. - Define success metrics, monitor key performance indicators, and iterate product features based on performance data and user feedback. Mandatory Qualifications: Education & Experience - Bachelor’s degree Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus. - 3-5+ years of experience in product management, with a proven track record in search or recommendation systems for e-commerce or related industries. Language Skills - Fluency in Japanese (both written and spoken) is a must. - Excellent command of English, enabling effective communication within a global team. Technical & Domain Expertise - Demonstrated experience working with search technologies, recommendation engines, or related analytics tools. - Familiarity with product management best practices and agile methodologies. - Strong understanding of user behavior and market trends, particularly in Japan. Analytical & Communication Skills - Data-driven mindset with the ability to interpret complex analytics and translate them into actionable product strategies. - Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Soft Skills - Highly collaborative approach, with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams. - Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to tackling challenges. - Passion for user-focused product development and continuous improvement. #engineer #strategyplanning #productmanager #commerce In Japanese, Rakuten stands for ‘optimism.’ It means we believe in the future. It’s an understanding that, with the right mind-set, we can make the future better by what we do today. So we challenge ourselves to evolve, innovate and experiment, to create a better, brighter future for everyone. Today, our 70+ businesses span e-commerce, digital content, communications and fintech, bringing the joy of discovery to almost 1.3 billion members across the world. If you have any trouble logging in, please contact us here Rakuten Group, Inc.: rakuten-recruiting-info@mail.rakuten.com *Please read the Application Requirements(EN) / 募集要項(JP) before applying. Our Diversity & Inclusion Policy and Application Documents Rakuten’s corporate mission is to “contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship.” We foster a culture that provides equal opportunities to those who share this founding philosophy and take on the challenge to transform society, regardless of age, gender, nationality, or any other status. Diversity is one of Rakuten's core strategies and a driving force for innovation. Because of this, you are not required to submit any of the following information in order to apply for our job positions. - Gender - Age - Photo - Nationality* - Information not related to business, such as ideological beliefs, family structure, etc. * For legal compliance, we may ask you about your work eligibility. See the details

Responsibilities

The Product Manager will enhance the search user experience and functionality in Ichiba by developing and executing a product roadmap. This includes defining product strategy, conducting user research, and overseeing the product lifecycle from conception to launch.