Emily
Bachelor of Knowledge Engineering
Joined in 2021
Product Manager
EC Marketplace Development Department
Commerce & Marketing Company Technology Supervisory Department
What are your current responsibilities?
I am a product manager for Rakuten Ichiba’s shopping cart feature, in the Rakuten Ichiba development department. The role of the product manager is to take responsibility for specific products and understand them better than anyone else. The job has two major aspects. One has to do with defining requirements for product improvement and maintenance, while the other involves making decisions to advance development projects in collaboration with the various people involved, including the development and business departments. It is very rewarding to work as a product manager for a service with as wide a distribution and amount of data as Rakuten Ichiba has. At the same time, it also comes with a number of responsibilities and requires the smooth execution of many tasks. I have gained valuable experience in the corporate culture of Rakuten Group, where each and every individual can take on challenges as a professional, and every day is very stimulating.
What do you find challenging and exciting about your job?
The most enjoyable part of my job is the valuable experience that I can only gain as a product manager of Rakuten Ichiba. The product I oversee—the shopping cart—is an important product directly linked to sales. Although I occasionally encounter problems, I have learned the importance of taking quick and appropriate action. Some of the unique opportunities I have as a product manager include making presentations to management and participating in events sponsored by Rakuten Ichiba, which gives me the chance to speak directly with vendors and hear their opinions and requests. I participated as a monitoring member for the first time on the opening day of Rakuten Super SALE, one of Rakuten Ichiba’s largest sale events. I still remember the breathtaking excitement and tension before the event began and the sense of accomplishment I felt when we made it through the event successfully.
Message to students
During my job search I had high expectations for my ideal position. I wanted to contribute to society, work on big and popular services, experience team development, improve my business skills, and make use of my English abilities. The job that met all these conditions was the product manager position at Rakuten Group. Although a wide range of knowledge and skills are required, even young employees are given discretion in matters such as decision-making. This is a job where people from a variety of backgrounds are welcome and can expand their careers while deepening their learning experience. The Rakuten Group has a corporate culture that respects diversity and encourages taking on challenges. There is a place for every member of the team to play an active role. I highly recommend Rakuten Group, and product manager positions, to students who are looking to challenge themselves.
What does your typical workday look like?
After arriving at the office, I check my emails, confirm my schedule and tasks for the day, and then begin working. After communicating shared items in the morning huddle with team members, we check the gross sales amount for Rakuten Ichiba with other staff each morning. I have lunch in the office cafeteria and enjoy reading or taking a walk afterward. In between meetings, I spend time researching, documenting and writing specifications to define requirements. By compiling a list of all unfinished tasks for the day before leaving work, I can switch back to work mode immediately the next morning. In order to achieve Rakuten Group's concept for success, “Speed!! Speed!! Speed!!”, I always try to clarify the situation and take necessary action in my daily work.
SCHEDULE
- 09:00
- After arriving at work, check emails and schedule. Review the previous day's task list.
- 09:30
- Share information within the team in morning huddle meetings, check the total distribution amount from the previous day.
- 10:30
- 1-on-1 meeting with team leader. This is a time when I am free to talk about tasks I oversee and what I have noticed at work.
- 12:00
- Lunch in the cafeteria. After lunch, I read a book using the company's e-library or take a walk with my colleagues.
- 13:00
- Regular project meeting. Many projects run on a department-wide basis, and we check the progress of each team.
- 15:00
- Write specifications. I create these with an emphasis on ease of understanding, as they will be read by all parties involved in the project.
- 18:00
- Create a task list for the next workday and leave the office. On my days off, I spend time reading, playing games, and cooking. I enjoy online shopping, and during Rakuten Ichiba's sale events I like to shop online to better understand the products I am in charge of.
*This article is based on information provided at the time of the interview.
RECRUITING INFORMATION
Business Positions
For those who want to deepen their understanding of the entire Rakuten Group and aim for versatile career development.
- Comprehensive Business Specialty Hiring Track
- Corporate Specialty Hiring Track
- FinTech Specialty Hiring Track
- Design Specialty Hiring Track
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- Comprehensive Business Specialty Hiring Track
- Corporate Specialty Hiring Track
- FinTech Specialty Hiring Track
- Design Specialty Hiring Track
- Marketing Specialty Hiring Track
Engineer Positions
For those who aspire to become world-class engineers.
- Applications Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Data Scientist / Researcher
- Security Engineer
- Information Security / Privacy Governance Specialist
- Technology Management
- Product Management
- Development Support（Q&A, etc.)
- Applications Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Data Scientist / Researcher
- Security Engineer
- Information Security / Privacy Governance Specialist
- Technology Management
- Product Management
- Development Support（Q&A, etc.)