Data Annotation and Labeling Operation Lead - Catalog Management Department, AI & Data Supervisory Department

Job Description:

Business Overview

The Rakuten Group, a global technology leader based in Japan, provides innovative solutions that enrich the lives of millions worldwide. Our AI & Data Supervisory Division is pioneering in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver exceptional experiences across our services.

Department Overview

Our Annotation Team is dedicated to solving complex data challenges through a robust and scalable annotation platform that powers AI innovation at Rakuten. We are committed to accelerating the development of AI and AI-driven initiatives, such as business operation automation and Chatbot enhancement by providing comprehensive, end-to-end annotation services across the Rakuten Group.

We enable Rakutenians to reliably leverage high-quality, annotated datasets, streamlining every phase of AI and machine learning development. By ensuring data as the fuel of the company's growth, we drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to the development of AI-driven solutions that elevate customer experiences and optimize business operations across Rakuten.

Through our efforts, we aim to solidify Rakuten’s leadership in AI innovation, enabling continued growth and success in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Position:

Why We Hire

As Rakuten continues to scale its business and expand its AI capabilities, we are looking for individuals with a bold, forward-thinking mindset, those eager to lead innovation and drive our Annotation Service to the next level.

With growing demand and a rapid rise in AI-related initiatives across Rakuten, we seek a leader who can take ownership of the end-to-end Annotation Service. You will be responsible for driving the overall initiative, including strategic planning, operational design, and resource management. Your leadership will be key in shaping the future of our annotation capabilities, ensuring we can meet the evolving needs of AI model development across the Rakuten Group.

Position Details

As a Lead of Data Annotation and Labeling team, you will help to grow the team and deliver outcome to our clients’ business. The main responsibility of this position is to lead our Annotation initiatives and execute them with collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensure that our Annotation service accelerate Rakuten’s AI initiatives. You will be instrumental in addressing complex challenges, driving continuous improvements, and shaping the long-term success of our product.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building scalable, efficient operations that fuel cutting-edge AI development, and an individual with a strong product management, technological background and operation management, coupled with a passion for solving complex data challenges. You will drive the vision and strategy for managing and enriching our Annotation Service. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering and regional stakeholders, to ensure that the our labelled dataset is of the highest quality, aligns with business goals, and supports the company’s growth.

Key Responsibilities

- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including engineering teams, to define and drive the product vision, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals and business objectives.

- Work closely with teams across Japan, China, and India to coordinate efforts, define joint goals, and develop execution plans for Annotation Service

- Proactively identify and solve business issues related to data, ensuring that our outcome is continuously improved and aligned with strategic objectives.

- Establish and enforce best practices and standards for annotation processes, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and comprehensive coverage.

- Develop and manage key performance indicators (KPIs), tracking performance and visualizing results to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

- Oversee human resources and guide teams, ensuring effective management and alignment with product goals.

- Lead and manage projects focused on impacting on all AI initiatives, driving outcomes that directly contribute to business goals.

- Coordinate cross-functional initiatives with both technical and non-technical teams, ensuring smooth execution of projects and product improvements.

Mandatory Qualifications:

- 5+ years of experience in product/program management, product strategy, or business development.

- Proven track record in strategy planning and requirement definition for IT services.

- Experience in owning and driving product roadmaps, translating business needs into executable plans, and ensuring end-to-end product delivery.

- Strong ability to understand complex systems and clearly communicate with diverse stakeholders.

- Solid project management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams and managing key performance indicators (KPIs) for business, customer, and operational processes.

- Proven leadership in mentoring teams, guiding decision-making, and fostering collaboration.

- Strategic mindset with the ability to align team goals with broader organizational objectives.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both Japanese and English.

- Ability to navigate ambiguity, balance product delivery with trade-offs, and create clear documentation.

Desired Qualifications:

- Strong understanding of data management principles, including data modeling and data quality.

- Proven ability to translate business needs into actionable data strategies and requirements.

- Proficiency in SQL, Python, or R for data analysis and programming.

- Solid understanding of machine learning and deep learning concepts, with hands-on business application.

- Familiarity with AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), to optimize operations.

- Proven experience in managing multiple teams or coordinating with external clients/partners for strategic alignment.　

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