Japanese Business Services Senior Consultant – Digital Transformation Services

Plante Moran•Columbus, OH

84d•$90,000 - $117,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Consultant to join our Digital Transformation Services (DTS) team. This role focuses on delivering digital transformation consulting and ERP implementation services for manufacturing organizations, with a primary emphasis on Japanese-owned automotive suppliers in North America and overseas markets. The Senior Consultant will help clients optimize and transform business processes in the areas of Operations and Supply Chain Management. Responsibilities include business process improvement, ERP implementation, and technology-enabled transformation projects. A significant portion of the role will involve Plex ERP implementations and related manufacturing solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, Information Systems, Operations Management, or a related field.
3-5 years of experience in digital transformation, ERP, business systems consulting, or manufacturing operations.
Experience in automotive manufacturing or automotive supplier environments is required.
Experience working for or supporting Japanese-owned manufacturing companies is required.
Business-level proficiency in Japanese and English (speaking, reading, and writing) is required.
Ability to facilitate workshops, training sessions, process design discussions, and executive presentations in both Japanese and English.
Planning, MRP, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management processes.
Experience implementing Plex ERP or other manufacturing ERP platforms.
Understanding of automotive industry processes, including EDI, customer scheduling, inventory control, traceability, supplier collaboration, and lean manufacturing principles.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills.
Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with both operational teams and executive leadership.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a client-facing consulting environment.
Strong understanding of Japanese business culture and demonstrated success working in multinational environments.
Willingness to travel to client locations as required.

Nice To Haves

Plex ERP Certification
APICS / ASCM Certifications (CPIM, CSCP, CLTD)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Responsibilities

Lead and support digital transformation and business systems implementation projects for manufacturing clients, primarily within the automotive supplier industry.
Serve as a functional consultant and become a subject matter expert in Order Fulfillment, Procurement, Inventory Management, and Production/shop floor processes.
Facilitate business process discovery workshops and gather client requirements in both Japanese and English.
Analyze current-state operations and design future-state business processes aligned with industry best practices.
Lead business process improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, standardization, inventory optimization, and supply chain performance.
Support implementation of Plex ERP and related manufacturing technologies.
Configure business systems and support testing, validation, deployment, and go-live activities.
Develop solution designs, business requirements documents, process maps, training materials, and project deliverables.
Support data migration, data validation, reporting, and system integration activities.
Deliver end-user and super-user training sessions in Japanese and English.
Support proposal development, business development initiatives, solution demonstrations, client presentations, and thought leadership activities.