From store staff
to area manager

Why did you join Tomizawa Shouten ?

My reason for joining the company was that they were recruiting opening staff for the JR Kyoto Isetan store

At the time, I was working multiple part-time jobs as a freeter (a person who works part-time jobs), and I started working here as one of them.
However, as I continued working, I became drawn to the appeal of the products and the interesting aspects of the work, and I began to think, "I want to work here properly."
Ultimately, I decided to quit my other jobs and dedicate myself to this company. I
started with no knowledge at all, but the more I worked, the more I felt drawn to it, and the biggest factor was that I thought, "I want to grow here."

The work I am currently doing

Currently, as an area manager, I am in charge of 5 stores and manage the stores with approximately 40 staff members. (Before maternity and childcare leave, I was in charge of up to 8 stores.)
In addition to product management, inventory management, and sales management, I am also involved in training store managers, improving store layouts, and sharing information with staff.

I am also in charge of business negotiations with department stores and planning demonstration events.
Another important role is to visit stores, share best practices from each store, and use that to improve the overall level of service.

The interesting aspects of this job

I feel that the most appealing aspect of this job is being able to be involved in "someone's special moment" through the ingredients we use

One particularly memorable experience was when a customer wanted a character cake. We
worked together to come up with ideas and suggestions regarding the colors, and later they came back with a photo of the finished cake.
Since then, they've shown us photos of different cakes each year as their child has grown, and we feel a great sense of joy knowing that we've been a part of that family's memories.

In store management, I find great satisfaction in creating store layouts and implementing strategies based on my own ideas, and seeing those results reflected in sales

Difficulties I've faced, and things I've overcome

A career built through continuous learning

Since I started with no prior experience as a store manager, I struggled with store operations and financial management.
I learned and gained experience step by step through consultations with area managers and training.
Also, due to the large number of products and the diversity of customer needs, acquiring product knowledge remains an ongoing challenge.

In my own career, I have experienced anxiety about returning to work after maternity and childcare leave.
However, the company and my superiors were supportive and flexible, including transferring me to a different department, which allowed me to continue working.

Things that feel typical of Tomizawa Shouten

Our company has a flat organizational structure that facilitates easy communication, and we value the opinions of those on the ground.
As an area manager, I can easily consult with staff about store operations, allowing me to manage them with confidence.
Another characteristic of our company is that decision-making is based on reality, such as sharing photos and documents to discuss the situation on the ground.

Things I want to try in the future

Going forward, we want to focus on creating stores that can provide value through experiences

For example, I want to increase opportunities for customers to understand our products through hands-on experiences, such as events and classes for parents and children.
Also, drawing on my own experience of becoming a store manager at a young age, I want to focus on training the next generation of staff.
Seeing the staff I've worked with advance in their careers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.