Job description
**All applications for the Operations Manager position at GFI Japan must be submitted in English. This position is based in Japan and is part of a global network of organizations which communicate primarily in English.**
Help people, animals, and the planet as the driving force behind our day-to-day operations and support functions
The Good Food Institute Japan (GFI Japan) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organisations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.
Please check out our website (JP, Global), SNS, and our 2024 Year in Review to find out more about who we are and what we do.
We are looking foran Operations Manager to oversee and lead the smooth functioning of our internal operations, providing the necessary support to ensure our teams can achieve their goals. As an organisation newly established in September 2024, we are seeking professionals who can proactively build a strong organisational foundation to drive our growth, working closely with the Managing Director and the broader GFI global network. Join GFI Japan as we build a thriving alternative protein ecosystem. This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact while working in a flexible and dynamic global environment.
How you will make a difference
It’s a critical time for alternative proteins globally, and particularly in Asia, the first region of the world in which cultivated meat became a consumer reality, where traditional forms of plant-based consumption create unique consumer markets, and where governments are moving towards broader regulatory support for the sector.
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will be responsible for the smooth running of our people operations (including talent acquisition and management, team culture, etc.), financial management (including financial planning, bookkeeping, reporting, payroll oversight, etc.), risk management, internal processes and policies, legal compliance, and much more. Ultimately, your strong generalist skillset will ensure we are an efficient, compliant, effective, and inclusive organisation that is committed to a positive employee experience. This position offers flexible remote work arrangements within Japan, with occasional in-person meetings.
Key responsibilities
Administrative operations
- Effectively managing key internal systems, including Google Workspace, Freee, Asana, and Salesforce, addressing basic technical needs, and coordinating with administrative and operational vendors, as well as the GFI IT team based in the United States.
- Managing the organisation’s budget under the oversight of the Managing Director, to ensure efficient allocation of resources and financial oversight.
- Overseeing operational coordination between departments, routine reporting, office rental/management, event coordination, and facilitating safe, efficient travel arrangements.
- Collaborating with colleagues at GFI’s global affiliates as needed.
- Finance and legal compliance
- Managing day-to-day financial operations, including close collaboration with GFI colleagues in APAC and the United States on monthly reporting, periodic audits, and financial compliance.
- Ensuring compliance with Japanese financial and tax regulations in coordination with local tax advisors and legal counsel.
- Managing organisational statutory filings and business registration renewals, as well as coordinating Board of Directors and General Meetings of Members, as stipulated in the General Incorporated Associations Act and the organisation’s Articles of Incorporation.
- Coordinating with local legal counsel, U.S.-based legal teams, accounting firms, and tax advisors as needed; taking the lead on contracting external suppliers and managing agreements with grant recipients.
People operations
- Leading on people operations processes, talent acquisition, and fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.
- Overseeing payroll (liaising with third party support as appropriate), employee records, and development of employee handbooks, internal guidelines, SOPs, and policies to support a healthy and thriving work environment.
- Ensuring effective onboarding, team integration, and ongoing professional development for a fast-paced remote work environment with flexibility to support hybrid work arrangement.
- Fostering cross-functional collaboration across teams to align with GFI Japan’s mission and goals.
- Performing other duties as assigned to ensure the success of GFI’s people operations initiatives.
Who we’re looking for:
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented Operations Manager to help build and refine GFI Japan’s operational systems from the ground up. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations, administration, finance, and/or people operations, with the ability to navigate complex and evolving workflows in a mission-driven, international work environment. An ideal candidate will have experience that reflects the following:
- At least 7 years of experience in two or more of the following fields: operations, administration, finance, or people operations.
- Strong financial and IT literacy, with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to learn new software. Proficiency in Google Workspace, Asana, Salesforce, Freee, and Slack is highly preferred.
- Experience in project management, workflow optimisation, vendor management, logistics, contract administration, and/or legal compliance is strongly preferred.
- Fluency in Japanese and business-level written and verbal proficiency in English. Conversational English proficiency would be a huge plus.
- A strong sense of ownership and responsibility to drive outcomes, with a strong work ethic and self-motivation.
- A high degree of organisation and efficiency, with a passion for devising and managing effective systems, fixing problems, and ensuring accurate, high-quality administration.
- Ability to work under pressure in complex, often ambiguous environments, including structuring and refining workflows from the ground up.
- Strong strategic thinking and prioritisation skills to focus on the most impactful work.
- Excellent people skills, including high emotional intelligence, effective communication, and teamwork.
- Experience fostering team integration and professional development; overseeing and supporting team performance, ideally in a remote work environment.
- Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organisation.
- Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
- A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the best we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.
- Candidates must have legal authorisation to work in Japan.
- We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every colour, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Since we value a diverse workplace, we prioritise an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.
The fine print:
- Terms of employment: Full-time (flexible hours), Contract. Following the initial probationary period, you may transition to a regular employee role upon mutual agreement.
- Reports to: Kimiko Hong-Mitsui, Managing Director for GFI Japan
- Location: Flexible – we will consider applicants from anywhere in Japan.This is a remote role, and you will be able to work from home or anywhere you choose within Japan. The whole GFI Japan team aims to get together in person approximately twice per year for around 2-3 days at a time. Travel costs will be covered by GFI Japan within our travel policy.
- Travel and work hours: Flexible hours with an occasional need to work at nights or early mornings to coordinate with GFI’s global network.
- Annual Salary: Up to 9 Million Japanese yen (pre-tax)
- Benefits: Includes statutory health, pension, labor, and employment insurances per Japanese regulations, as well as paid leave per GFI Japan’s policy.
- Right to work requirements: The successful candidate must, by the start of the employment, have permission to work, and to be able to travel within Japan. Please note that GFI Japan’s policy is not to sponsor employment visas. The successful applicant will need to confirm they are eligible to work in Japan without requiring GFI Japan’s sponsorship of an employment visa.
Important dates
- Application deadline: July 17, 2025
- Anticipated start date: September 1, 2025
Application instructions
GFI uses an anonymised hiring system that redacts key identifying personal information from all applications. We use this tool as part of a wider effort to reduce bias in our hiring process. Following these instructions will help to ensure your application is not delayed by a failed redaction.
- Where possible, limit the creative formatting of your documents. If the name on your resume is an inserted image file or is styled with large spaces between each letter, for example, the redaction is likely to fail. Colours and designs are OK, but wherever possible, the text itself should just be regular text.
- Please use consistent names. It helps to ensure that the name you use in your resume and cover letter is the same as the name you type into the application below. For example, if your name is Jennifer, please sign your cover letter as “Jennifer” rather than “Jenny.”
- Submit PDF or .docx files only. Other file formats, like .txt, are likely to fail redaction.
- Please do not include personal identifying information in your responses to the application questions. Referencing past education, work experience, and mission-alignment is OK.
- If you use smart technology, use it wisely. We want to get to know you — not a robot. Please ensure your application materials reflect your own voice and experience.
- Please do not contact the role’s supervisor or any potential member of the hiring team. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
Thank you for helping us to ensure that the redaction process works smoothly and to review your application as quickly as possible!
