Schedule
Daily Tasks
What are your main responsibilities?
ZenGroup provides a proxy purchasing service for international customers, allowing them to view and buy Japanese products that cannot be purchased overseas. My main responsibility is handling the purchasing for items bought by overseas customers shopping on online stores and online flea market apps.
In addition to purchasing, I handle other tasks related to the purchasing, such as responding to messages from sellers online, processing canceled orders, and arranging product returns.
Which tools and platforms do you use daily?
Mainly, my team primarily uses Asana for task management. For communication with team members, in different units and departments, we use Slack.
How do you prioritize your tasks?
Every morning, my unit has a team meeting to review and confirm the day’s work priorities. Sometimes priorities change depending on the current situation, so it is important to be extremely careful not to overlook any shared information.
Team Collaboration
What’s your team like?
At ZenGroup, we have a lot of international employees, but my team is unique. We have only Japanese team members. My department is made up of individuals with distinct personalities and a great sense of responsibility.
What are the unique points about your team?
In the Purchasing Department, daily tasks are clearly defined and shared among all team members. Because our tasks are integrated, teamwork is extremely important. We have to make an effort to communicate with each other and make sure tasks are completed on time. Each member on our team takes full responsibility for their own assignments, but we support one another and are flexible when needed. I think we are a very collaborative team.
Do you collaborate with other departments at ZenGroup?
Absolutely yes. I collaborate with my team and different departments daily. The Purchasing Department works closely with the Customer Support Team, which handles customer inquiries, and the Reception Team located at our Logistic Centers, which handles purchased products..
Coordination between different teams and departments is crucial for ensuring smooth operations. We frequently discuss and brainstorm ways to collaborate more effectively depending on the situation.
Learning and Development
How do you stay updated on the latest trends in your position?
I make a conscious effort to stay aware of trends appearing in my daily life. For example, when I go shopping or browse social media, I check for trending products and try to catch signs of emerging trends. I take note of these small observations and try to apply them to my work.
What are you doing for self-improvement?
I aim to read two to three books per month. I mainly read business books and self-development books, but I also occasionally read fiction and essays to broaden my perspective. I try to incorporate the ideas and knowledge I gain from reading into my work and communication.
Work-Life Balance
How do you manage your work-life at ZenGroup?
I think that it is very important to maintain a good balance between work and rest. During busy periods of the year, there are times when I work overtime, but on other days, I make sure to leave the office on time to maintain a healthy balance.
Do you have any tips for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout?
When tackling any task, I find it helpful to set small goals. For example, thinking “I’ll finish this by a certain time” or “I won’t repeat the mistake I made last time” helps me stay focused. Also, if there’s something you can’t solve on your own, talking to your leader is a good approach.
Memorable Experiences
Can you share a memorable experience or success in your role?
I was very happy when I received a thank-you letter from an overseas customer after they received the purchased product. It reinforced the realization that my daily work truly connects to our customers’ smiles and happiness.
Personal Insights
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy tasks that involve reviewing internal rules to improve work efficiency and quality. I constantly approach my work with the mindset of questioning the way we currently do tasks and give suggestions during meetings with my team. When various improvement ideas are put into action and lead to visible results, it really means something to me.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your position?
To anyone thinking of joining my team, I would first tell them, “Don’t worry, feel free to jump in and get started!” At first, it may seem like there is a lot to learn and it might feel a bit overwhelming, but the whole team is here to support you step by step. You’ll be fine as you slowly get used to the work and my department’s tasks.
There’s no need to hold back just because you’re new. If you notice something during work that could be improved, feel free to openly share your opinion.A different way of thinking often results in valuable suggestions for the team, so I hope new members joining the Purchasing Department can appreciate our attitude.
