Associate Manager, Product Planning - Bilingual Japanese

Hybrid Work Model

#LI-hybrid

Job Summary:

The Associate Manager, Product Planning supports the management of the “Global Inline” greenlight process for SEGA’s console and PC gaming operations, coordinating across multiple teams and regions to ensure projects are prepared for approval and aligned with business strategy. This role acts as a bridge between individual contributors and management, handling complex projects and mentoring junior staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages multiple cross-functional projects from initiation to approval, ensuring readiness for reviews; adapts existing processes; resolves issues using judgment and precedent.
• Acts as a primary contact for cross-functional and international teams. Coordinates and guides the teams to meet project milestones, facilitating workflow across regions and functions.
• Create presentation decks in preparation for approval to guide the team.
• Develops and maintains project schedules and milestones identifying any discrepancies/risks and proactively resolve issues.
• Responsible for reviewing submission materials for clarity and accuracy.
• Facilitates project meetings; documents decisions and action items and ensures follow-up until action items are complete.
• Identifies process gaps and implement or recommend process improvements within defined methods to improve efficiency and project outcomes.
• Provides guidance and informal mentorship to Product Planners and Coordinators; supports onboarding and training of new team members.
• May lead small project teams or coordinate interns/contractors.
• Other responsibilities are performed as assigned or needed. 

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Working in-office is an essential function of this position. This requirement of face-to-face interaction is in place to ensure effective supervision, collaboration, and teamwork.  In-office attendance is required for the following reasons:
  • For effective supervision of employees and our work product, which includes ensuring all employees have necessary oversight of their work and access to supervisory assistance, which includes meetings to review work product, deadlines, and status.
  • To foster communication and collaboration among team members, which includes the following: allowing for spontaneous brainstorming sessions and exchanges of ideas, quick access to team members to enable collaborative problem-solving, and stronger cohesion among co-workers and within teams.
  • To enhance the sharing of information necessary to effective job performance and product creation. 
  • To enhance understanding of our stakeholders’ work and business needs, facilitate a more seamless and organic workflow, and ultimately increase efficiency and successful outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, IT or related field.
• Typically has 5-8+ years of experience in product planning, project management, or similar roles.
• Bilingual Japanese/English (professional working proficiency or above).
• Experience coordinating cross-functional and international teams.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Smartsheet).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and resolve issues proactively.
• Familiarity with the gaming industry and product development lifecycle.

Bonus:

Passion for Japanese culture, JRPG games, and Anime is a plus.