Corporate Administration Project Manager

Sakata Seed America•Woodland, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Corporate Administration Project Manager leads the execution of Executive Office projects and supports corporate governance administration at Sakata Seed America (SAH). The role is accountable for Executive Office project execution, governance and leadership forum administration, headquarters coordination, Executive Office operations, and continuous improvement. It reports directly to the Associate Director, Corporate Administration, who owns Executive Office projects, governance processes, and priorities. The Project Manager executes within that direction and may assign and direct Executive Office tasks to the Administrative Assistant within the Associate Director’s priorities. The position requires strong project discipline, discretion, and coordination across senior leaders, functions, and cultures. The role plans and executes assigned Executive Office projects; coordinates meetings and project information; supports governance bodies with meeting logistics, minutes, records, and action tracking; and coordinates with Sakata Seed Corporation on schedules, materials, visits, logistics, and follow-up. It maintains Executive Office operating rhythms, records, and administrative processes, and supports departmental administration such as budget tracking, purchasing, invoice processing, and vendor coordination. The Project Manager identifies and recommends improvements, applies company-approved AI tools in accordance with data-handling rules, and supports coverage and continuity across the Executive Office. The position has no direct reports. It works with the Executive Assistant, Executive Office, and with Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Planning, Legal, IT, and other functions as needed. It decides project schedules, meeting logistics, tracking methods, and certain task assignments within approved scope and priorities. Changes to project scope, governance templates, and administrative processes are recommended for Associate Director approval. Governance decisions, agendas and minutes approvals, executive commitments, and content owned by other functions are outside the role’s authority. Performance is evaluated on project delivery, governance administration, headquarters coordination, operational effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction. The position is primarily office-based, requires extended periods of sitting and computer work, periodic travel throughout the year, and the ability to work long or irregular hours, including early mornings and evenings, to align with supported leaders and headquarters in Yokohama.

Requirements

At least two years of proven project management experience, including planning, executing, and tracking multi-stakeholder projects through completion.
Proven project management capability, including planning, execution, risk management, and tracking across multiple stakeholders.
Understanding of corporate governance support, including meeting administration, minutes, and records.
Highest level of discretion with sensitive executive, business, governance, and personnel information.
Ability to structure information and produce clear plans, reports, and briefing materials.
Clear, professional written and verbal communication, with a strong command of business English.
Ability to coordinate across functions and influence outcomes without formal authority.
Emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and ability to work effectively with international counterparts.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365, project management and collaboration tools, and company-approved AI tools.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field strongly preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related professional experience.
Must be able to travel periodically throughout the year.
Must be able to work long and/or irregular hours, including early mornings and evenings.
Position requires extended periods of sitting and computer work.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency in English/Japanese or English/Spanish.
Project management certification such as PMP or CAPM.
Experience supporting governance bodies, executive committees, or Board processes.
Experience working in a multinational organization, including with Japanese business counterparts.
Experience in the seed, ornamentals, or produce sector.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute Executive Office projects and initiatives defined by the Associate Director, including schedules, milestones, responsibilities, and dependencies.
Schedule and facilitate project meetings; maintain project and governance trackers, dashboards, and status reports; and document decisions and actions.
Escalate risks, dependencies, and decisions with context and recommended next steps.
Coordinate with functional leaders, Executive Administration Department colleagues, and subject-matter experts to gather inputs and secure follow-through.
Draft updates, briefing materials, and decision inputs for the Associate Director’s review and executive reporting.
Take notes and capture action items at Sakata Management Team meetings, and draft minutes for the Associate Director’s review and approval.
Provide logistics support for meetings of the SAH Board of Directors, the Sakata Executive Committee, the Sakata Management Team, and other designated governance bodies, including scheduling, materials production, and distribution.
Maintain governance calendars, records, templates, and action trackers; support governance documents and shareholder communications.
Support coordination with Sakata Seed Corporation, including schedules, materials, executive visits, logistics, follow-up, and recurring headquarters reporting materials as directed.
Plan and coordinate Board and headquarters visits and Executive Office events, directing logistics support from the Administrative Assistant.
Implement and maintain operating rhythms, planning tools, and administrative processes set by the Associate Director.
Maintain Executive Office files, decision records, and reference materials according to records-management and retention standards.
Support Corporate Administration departmental administration, including budget tracking, purchasing, invoice processing, and vendor coordination in collaboration with Finance.
Handle sensitive business, personnel, governance, and strategic information with utmost discretion.
Identify and recommend improvements to tools, templates, and workflows, and implement approved changes.
Adopt and apply company-approved AI tools in accordance with company data-handling rules, and share effective practices with the Executive Administration Department.
Support Executive Office coverage and continuity during absences and periods of peak demand.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director.