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 is assigned to Product Direction Department 1, Business Promotion Division 3, Sales Promotion Headquarters. This department is primarily responsible for managing the production of events, displays, etc.
Hino: "We specialize in creating designs that add elements of production to events such as motor shows, showrooms, pop-up stores, and short-term displays. You could say that this department is in charge of work typical of NOMURA."
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 I think of small jigs to make displays look beautiful, and other times when I make extensive use of video equipment to create a lively space. I hope that by letting not only young employees but also mid-level employees know that NOMURA has human resources with the know-how and opportunities to do so, they will be able to expand their range of work. "I'm here"
▲ Umeda Tsutaya Bookstore
Hino majored in concept design at university. During the course of my studies, I became particularly interested in interiors concept design, and my supervisor recommended me to NOMURA. Hino originally wanted to work in concept design. I look back on the circumstances that led me to join the company as a director.
Hino: ``During the interview, I told the interviewer, ``If a building is what gives a place its vitality and value, then interiors is what makes that building attractive,'' and I was offered the director position. It was explained to me that designers are responsible for concept design spaces, and production management is responsible for creating spaces.I thought it sounded interesting and decided to join the company.''
However, in the beginning, I could not shake off my desire to become a concept design, and there were times when I felt a gap in the content of my work before and after I joined the company. At the end of his first year at the company, Hino's first turning point came.
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.
One day, I was assigned to work at displays. There, I was able to take the lead on a project for the first time, working with sales staff and people from partner companies. Although it was difficult, I felt like I was creating a space with my own hands, and it helped me realize how much fun production management can be."
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 designer to refine the drawings, giving advice on aspects such as safety and quality.The idea of working together to make something even better emerged, and I communicated with concept design team. I think the chances of taking one have increased significantly.
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 it was difficult to finalize the details that were important to concept design, the designer simply said, ``I'll leave it to you, Hino.'' This period was the most difficult, as the members of concept design team and I were taking the lead in translating it into the actual space concept design, but it was also a time when I learned more about the joy of work."
In some cases where concept design team was having trouble, Hino's suggestions led to a solution.
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 the rumors, but I'd like to see how far I can go.'' I worked under some pressure, but I was able to actively make concept design suggestions, and I was able to grow significantly as a production manager. It was a great project.”
After that, Hino will team up with the designer again for the 2023 Fuji Motorsports Museum.
Hino: ``I could see that people trusted me more than last time, both in terms of concept design and fit, as they asked me for my opinion, ``What should I do?'' What was impressive was that they only gave me the CG perspective. I was told, ``Let's have the production management draw up the drawings.'' Even though there were no actual drawings, I worked with the concept design team members to create the space concept design, down to how the lighting should be installed. Originally, I wanted to be a designer. For me, I think this job was the culmination of my career 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 job that gets more interesting the more you get into it.In addition to construction on site, production management also allows you to step into the realm concept design concept design be involved in space creation. There are quite a few people within the company who have these abilities. I would like them to get rid of their stereotypes and take a step forward."
As a key player in space creation, Hino will continue to take on challenges.
*The contents are as of December 2023.
As a director, he is involved in production management for a wide variety of fields, including corporate displays and events, as well as showrooms, commercial facilities, stores, and museums. In 2020, promoted to section manager. Without being bound by the framework of production management, he works with designers to design multiple facilities. Currently active as a management player.
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