Career flow after joining the company
What kind of career path can you expect after joining the company as a generalist? We'll illustrate your career flow over the first 10 years after joining the company.
Even after joining the company as a generalist employee, your career path is not fixed. Through job rotations and other means, three different career paths will intertwine and be formed in a complex manner.
You can pursue a diverse career path that suits your growth and aspirations.
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First year at the company
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I joined the company as a generalist employee.
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New Employee Training
(Approximately 1 month)- Induction training (business etiquette, understanding the company)
- Factory training (practical training at a manufacturing site)
- Job-specific training (divided into technical and administrative roles, with participants experiencing each job function)
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Initial assignment
- You will be assigned to one of six job categories (determined based on your preferences and aptitude).
- Commencement of specialized training tailored to each job type (including on-the-job training)
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Second to third year at the company
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In the job you were assigned to,
Practical experience gained through on-the-job training (OJT)- Under the guidance of senior employees, I learned the basics of the job.
- I am in charge of small-scale projects.
- Growth is confirmed through career interviews held twice a year.
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4th to 9th year at the company
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Deepen your expertise in your current profession.
You will be assigned to a more advanced role, taking on more specialized tasks and deepening your expertise.
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Transfer to another job category
Depending on your preferences and aptitudes, you can change careers to other job types.
exampleDevelopment → Sales planning, business management
Sales Planning → Corporate -
Transfer/secondment to another location
There is a possibility of being transferred to one of our 15 domestic locations or 10 overseas locations.
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10th year at the company ~
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Specialist Career
Deepening expertise in a specific field
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Management career
To a role overseeing a team or department.
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Global Career
Active in 25 locations domestically and internationally.
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*This is just a guideline.
Career paths you can pursue at Archem DIRECTION
At Archem, we offer three main career paths for the future.
We will introduce each career in detail.
What is a specialist career?
To deepen expertise in one field and aim to become an expert in that area.
This career path aims to deepen expertise in your assigned job and become a recognized expert in a specific field. For example, you could master urethane material design as a materials designer, become a leading expert in environmental technology as a developer, or become a trusted partner to customers by becoming an expert in a specific industry as a sales planner, or contribute to process improvement and stable supply through equipment development, maintenance, and automation. At Archem, there are many engineers and sales professionals who have honed their expertise in the same job for over 10 years and are recognized both inside and outside the company.
Required skills and aptitudes
Deepening of specialized knowledge
You are required to possess unparalleled expertise in a single field. Continuous learning and research are essential.
Inquiry
A spirit of inquiry towards new technologies and knowledge, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential.
logical thinking ability
The ability to logically analyze specialized issues and derive solutions is required.
Information dissemination power
The ability to communicate one's expertise both inside and outside the company is also important.
They are active in a variety of situations, such as presenting at academic conferences, writing papers, and lecturing at in-house training sessions.
The appeal of a specialist career
Pride as a pioneer
You will become a trusted figure both inside and outside the company in a specific area.
Being recognized as "the person to go to in this field" is incredibly rewarding.
Evaluation commensurate with expertise
As a specialist, you will receive the same treatment as a manager. Your expertise will be fairly evaluated.
Opportunities to work outside the company
You will have opportunities to be active outside the company, such as presenting at academic conferences, writing papers, and participating in industry associations. You can contribute to the industry as a whole.
A system to support specialists
We offer training programs to deepen your expertise. We also provide support for participation in external seminars.
The company will subsidize the costs of obtaining qualifications related to your work. This includes examination fees, study materials, and course fees.
You will have the opportunity to participate in collaborative research with universities. You can deepen your expertise while being exposed to cutting-edge knowledge.
Voices of Specialists
Since joining the company, I have dedicated my career to the seat pad business. After gaining diverse experience within the department, including development, design, and manufacturing technology for seat pads, I am now once again in charge of seat pad development. In particular, I have been involved in activities to understand the points of sensory evaluation by customers, such as translating the subjective evaluation of "seat comfort" into the physical properties of urethane foam, using a 6-axis vibration test machine that can reproduce and analyze vibrations during car starting, stopping, and turning. This is a state-of-the-art test machine that we sometimes receive evaluation requests for from outside the company. Furthermore, with the recent spread of EVs (electric vehicles), there is a need to develop seat pad technology that balances "thinness" and "comfort" in order to secure space for batteries mounted under the floor. In this way, by being deeply involved in work that pursues "comfort," my goal is not just to create a seat pad, but to contribute to the comfort of the end consumer, the customer.
What is a management career?
I aspire to be a leader who can guide a team and grow the organization.
From player to manager. This career path involves leading teams and departments to maximize the overall performance of the organization. It encompasses a broader scope of work, including member development, strategy planning, and inter-departmental coordination. It's ideal for those who find fulfillment in pursuing the overall success of the team, rather than just their own individual achievements.
Required skills and aptitudes
Playing Manager
We are looking for a "hands-on manager" who is not only proficient in management but also well-versed in on-the-ground operations.
leadership
The ability to unite the team and lead them to achieve their goals is essential. The ability to motivate team members and promote teamwork is also crucial.
Strategic thinking skills
The ability to take a comprehensive view of the entire department and business, and to formulate medium- to long-term strategies, is required.
Nurturing ability
The ability to support the growth of team members and cultivate the next generation of leaders is crucial.
The appeal of a management career
I feel the growth of the organization.
You can experience the joy of personal and organizational growth through the achievements of the entire team.
Supporting the growth of our members
Seeing the members grow and take on new challenges is incredibly rewarding.
Greater discretion
As a manager, you will have significant discretion in determining departmental policies. You can move the organization forward based on your own judgment.
Contributing to the company's growth
As a department head, you will be responsible for the entire business and can directly contribute to the company's growth.
Systems to support management
We provide training tailored to each level, including leaders, managers, and department heads.
We offer training programs to teach the fundamentals of management for those becoming managers for the first time.
We support participation in external management and leadership training programs.
New managers will be supported by experienced senior managers who will act as mentors.
This program is designed for executives and aims to help them establish the decision-making framework and personal vision required of business leaders, and to acquire the skills necessary to continuously think and act.
Manager's voice
My management foundation lies in my 20 years in development. For many years, I sincerely addressed customer challenges "on the ground" and created unique products together with our customers. Leveraging that experience, I served as Managing Director (local CEO) at our Malaysian subsidiary, where I learned the importance of "mindset reform" while rebuilding the business. I focused on creating a culture where everyone felt a sense of ownership and could contribute improvement suggestions, and what impressed me most was the moment the organization began to operate independently, even more so than the improvement in numbers. Drawing on this experience of rebuilding organizations and businesses within the group companies, I am now back in Japan as the head of sales, working with sales companies to implement our medium-term plan. I believe that a manager is someone who grows the business through the growth of people.
What is a global career?
With 25 locations in Japan and overseas, we are active globally.
This career path involves gaining experience domestically and then working at overseas locations. Archem boasts a global network with 15 domestic and 10 overseas locations, offering opportunities to work in various parts of the world, including Asia and North America. The experience of conducting business in diverse cultures provides significant growth opportunities.
Patterns of overseas assignments
Assigned as an expatriate
You will be dispatched from Japan and work at an overseas branch for several years (generally 3-5 years). After returning to Japan, you will work domestically, utilizing your overseas experience.
Overseas trainees
We provide training at overseas locations for a set period to help employees acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities, while also supporting them in broadening their perspectives and developing the qualities necessary to become core personnel in promoting internationalization.
Required skills and aptitudes
language skills
Communication skills in English or the local language are welcome.
Cross-cultural understanding
Understanding and respecting different cultures and values is crucial.
Adaptability
The ability to adapt flexibly to changes in the environment is required.
independence
In other countries, the ability to think for oneself and take initiative is especially important.
Communication skills
The ability to communicate smoothly with local staff and customers is essential.
The appeal of a global career
Gaining a global perspective
By experiencing the global market firsthand, you will develop the ability to grasp the essence of things from a global perspective.
Growth in a diverse cultural environment
Gaining experience among people and cultures of different nationalities and backgrounds allows you to experience a wealth of inspiration and personal growth that you wouldn't get domestically.
Contribution to the global market
You can directly contribute to the business in a growing market. In addition to your own growth, deepening your network and relationships with local staff and customers will lead to future business opportunities.
Global talent development program
You can take language training courses in English, Chinese, and other languages. Various options are available, including online courses and in-person classes.
Employees assigned to overseas posts will receive pre-departure training. This training will cover local culture, business practices, and lifestyle information, as well as essential knowledge related to human resources, labor relations, finance and accounting, safety and health, and quality assurance.
You'll have the opportunity to participate in global projects collaborating with overseas offices while remaining in Japan. This will help you develop a global business mindset.
Voices of those assigned overseas
One of the defining characteristics of working in China is its extremely fast pace. In response to market changes, local Chinese automakers have halved their development cycles in recent years, and we too are working to improve development efficiency by building trusting relationships with local staff to keep up with this speed. While differences in language and culture sometimes lead to conflicts of opinion, we overcome these difficulties together, all working towards the same goal: meeting customer expectations. Through my work in China, I learned that even the same product can have different needs in different countries, which broadened my perspective. Leveraging my experience in China, I am scheduled to take on the role of Head of Manufacturing Technology for Seat Pads at our Tennessee plant in the United States. I believe one of the attractive aspects of working Archem is the opportunity for such dynamic transfers, allowing employees to leverage their experience and aspirations. I want to continue using my global experience to challenge myself in improving the brand and product strength. I encourage anyone with an international mindset to knock on this door of challenge.
