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Junpei Hino joined the company as a director in 2007. While handling management duties as a section manager, I am also on-site and involved in production management as a player. ``By taking the first step, you can realize how interesting the job really is,'' says Hino. While looking back on a project that was a turning point, he talks about the real pleasure of production management.
Hino works in the Product Direction 1st Department, Third Business Division, Sales Promotion Headquarters. This department primarily handles production management for events and displays.
Hino: "We specialize in creating designs that incorporate theatrical elements, such as for events like motor shows, showrooms, pop-up stores, and short-term displays. You could say this department is responsible for work that is characteristic of NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Ltd."
Despite being in the position of managing team members as a section manager, Hino has been actively visiting the field. The reason behind this is that he is particular about his work in production management.
Hino: ``In production management, there are many things that we cannot answer without working on many production sites.We want students to deepen their learning in each scene, so we say things such as ``You should be careful here'' and ``At times like this... I still try to go out to the field as much as possible so that I can give advice on the spot, such as, ``If you proceed this way, things will go well.''
It is often thought that the role of production management is to be on-site and ensure that the project progresses smoothly, but Hino disagrees with this view. I would like to talk about the best part of my job.
Hino: ``Controlling the site is an important part of my job, but as I gain experience, I have more opportunities to be involved in projects from the early stages.I'm able to direct the entire project while collaborating with designers and salespeople. I think this is where the real fun of production management lies.”
Meanwhile, Hino also serves as the editor-in-chief of ``PD NEWS,'' which disseminates information within the company about production management work.
Hino: “Because our company is large, we don't have many opportunities to learn about the work that other departments do.Therefore, we interview members of each division and create articles that introduce their work. .
There are moments when we design small jigs to make displays look beautiful, and other times when we create vibrant spaces by making full use of video equipment. NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Ltd. has the talent to do all of that, and I hope that by letting not only our younger employees but also our mid-career employees know that there are opportunities to do so, it will give them a chance to broaden their scope of work."
▲ Umeda Tsutaya Bookstore
Hino majored in concept design at university. During his studies, he became particularly interested in interiors concept design, and it was his advisor who recommended NOMURA Co.,Ltd., which led him to join the company. Hino initially aspired to a concept design position. He reflects on how he ended up joining the company as a director:
Hino: "During the interview, I told the interviewer, 'If a building is what gives vitality and value to a place, then I believe that interiors is what makes that building attractive,' and they offered me a director position. They explained that a designer concept design the space, and production management brings that space to life, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I decided to join the company."
However, since she hadn't completely given up on her dream of working concept design, there were times when she felt a gap between her expectations before and after joining the company and the actual work she was doing. Towards the end of her first year at the company, Hino experienced her first turning point.
Hino: ``Looking back on it now, it's embarrassing, but since I had imagined from the beginning that I would be able to control my work, I couldn't get used to an environment where my superiors and senior colleagues were giving me various instructions.
Then one day, I was put in charge of displays site. There, I was able to lead a project for the first time, working together with the sales team and partner companies. There were difficulties, but I felt a sense of accomplishment in creating the space with my own hands, and it was the moment I realized the joy of production management work."
For Hino, who worked hard to hone his knowledge and skills in order to quickly become independent, his second turning point came when he took charge of Umeda Tsutaya Bookstore. I had an encounter that completely changed my outlook on work.
Hino: ``As a production manager, a junior colleague who was assigned to work on a project with me makes suggestions to external designers, saying things like, ``What if we do this?'' ``I think it would be better if we did this.'' I was shocked when I saw it.
Up until then, I had a fixed idea about production management work, and I had been acting in a rigid manner, just completing the work according to the drawings drawn by the designer.
Witnessing the sincere attitude of my junior colleagues in listening to the designers' opinions and ideas and making suggestions to make things even better, the way I approach my work has changed dramatically.''
After that, Hino completely changed the way it worked. By working closely with designers and customers, we were able to make proposals that were one step further than before, and by the time the project was finished, we were seeing a completely different view than before.
Hino: "As a production manager, I worked with the designers to refine the drawings, offering advice on aspects such as safety and quality. I think the idea of working together to create something better emerged, and as a result, I had many more opportunities to communicate with concept design team."
Another big change was that I began to imitate my juniors' communication methods of exposing themselves and loosening up the other person's heart, and started creating a more relaxed atmosphere by occasionally making small talk.
It was worth it, and after the construction was completed, I continued to say, ``Thank you for your hard work.'' We have seen that relationships that used to end with "Please come back again" are now being relied on by customers, such as being consulted on other projects on the spot. This project gave me the feeling that I was able to do work that was unique to me, and at the same time, I felt that a different relationship was created than before.''
▲ Fuji Speedway Hotel/Fuji Motorsports Museum
For Hino, there was a project that helped him gain confidence as a production manager.
Hino: “From 2020 to the following year, I was involved in a project for a training facility for a major company, and I had the opportunity to work with an in-house designer who was highly trusted by the company.
If you are a person who is particular about details, do you really want to go this far? I thought that many times. Looking back now, I realize that I was desperately trying to get the most out of it, but this time taught me that paying attention to detail is what increases the value of a space.
When we were having trouble finalizing the crucial details of the concept design, the designer simply said, "I'll leave it to you, Hino." This period, when concept design team members and I were at the forefront of translating it into actual spatial concept design, was the most challenging, but it was also when I learned even more about the joy of work."
In situations where concept design team was struggling, Hino's suggestions sometimes led to solutions.
Hino: ``The training facility was supposed to process wood related to the founder and display it on the wall, but we couldn't come up with an answer on how to arrange it, so there was a deadlock. Let's put them side by side.'' When I showed the designer what I had assembled temporarily in the warehouse, he said, ``This is fine.'' He was praised for his efforts to prevent the metal fittings from being visible. , the proposal was adopted as is.
"I was told, 'I've heard rumors about you, but let's see how far you can go,' and I felt a lot of pressure working on it. However, I was also given the opportunity to actively propose concept design, so it was a project where I grew significantly as a production manager."
After that, Hino will team up with the designer again for the 2023 Fuji Motorsports Museum.
Hino: "They asked for my opinion, saying things like, 'What should we do?', and I could tell they trusted me even more than last time, both in terms of concept design and execution. What was particularly memorable was when they gave me only a CG rendering and said, 'Try drawing the blueprints on the production management side.' Without any construction drawings, I worked with concept design team members to create the spatial concept design, down to the lighting. For me, who originally aspired to be a designer, this was a culmination of my experience as a production manager."
Hino says that he feels a sense of satisfaction in working on production management. Thinking back to the words he said during his job interview, he talks about the best part of his job.
Hino: “Since I have come to understand the essence of production management, I have been able to proactively make proposals to designers, sales staff, and customers, and I feel that I am now in a position where I can direct the creation of spaces. I'm finally starting to understand what the interviewer meant when he told me, 'This is a management job.'
Hino's current goal is to work under his own name. We have a clear future vision for production management.
Hino: “Currently, I am in charge of the work assigned to my department, but I would like to be able to get involved beyond my department when there is a project in an area that I am good at. Just as I'm sometimes asked to do work by saying, ``I want that designer to do it,'' I want to be in the position of production management where people say, ``I want Hino to be in charge.''
To achieve this, failure is not an option and requires determination, but I would like to be involved in a variety of jobs in a responsible position.''
Hino says that there are members of production management within the company who feel stuck in their work, just like he once did. I would like to send this message to them.
Hino: "Production management is a fascinating job the more you delve into it. It's not just about on-site construction management; it also allows you to get involved in creating spaces by venturing into the realm of concept design. In fact, we have many talented people within the company who possess the ability to venture into the realm of concept design. I want you to break free from preconceived notions and take that first step."
As a key player in space creation, Hino will continue to take on challenges.
*The contents are as of December 2023.
As a director, I was involved in production management for a wide range of projects, including corporate displays and events, as well as showrooms, commercial facilities, stores, and museums. In 2020, I was promoted to section chief. I am not limited to production management, and I collaborate with designers on multiple facility projects. I continue to be an active management player.
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