Kewpie Mayonnaise's 101st Year Challenge: Held an entrance ceremony for 61 new general recruits for FY2026, commencing recruitment of 'DX/IT talent' as a specialized field

Kewpie Corporation (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and Executive Officer: Mitsuru Takamiya; hereinafter "Kewpie") held an entrance ceremony for 61 new employees hired for general positions in fiscal year 2026 at its Shibuya Head Office on Wednesday, April 1st. This year, new employees in the newly established "DX/IT" department, part of the "Specialized Fields"※1 of the four recruitment categories (Sales, Research & Development, Manufacturing, and Specialized Fields), joined the company for the first time.

The company was certified as a "DX Certified Business Operator" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in August 2025※2. In its Mid-Term Management Plan for FY2025-2028, Kewpie is accelerating DX promotion across the entire group, strengthening the recruitment and development of human resources responsible for building and promoting core DX/IT strategies and driving business transformation. Consequently, the DX/IT department has been added to the traditional specialized fields (Finance, Legal, Logistics) as a new recruitment category.

※1 Currently, we are recruiting for four positions: Finance, Legal, Logistics, and DX/IT.

※2 Refer to Kewpie Aohata News 2025 No. 77.

Overview of the FY2026 General Recruitment Entrance Ceremony

This year, in addition to the ceremony, the new employees had an opportunity to experience one of the group's cherished company precepts, "Cherishing Parents," by writing and sending original postcards expressing gratitude to their families and benefactors. This initiative, which began at last year's entrance ceremony, was once again a memorable occasion, with new employees remarking, for example, "It was a good opportunity to express gratitude that is usually hard to say," and "I was able to reaffirm my resolve as a working adult"※3.

※3 Excerpted and edited from interviews with new employees.

President and Executive Officer Mitsuru Takamiya encourages new employees

At the ceremony, Takamiya stated, "The 101st year since the launch of Kewpie Mayonnaise is the first year to envision the next 50 or 100 years. I want you to be proud to join in this year." He offered enthusiastic encouragement, saying, "Even if you stumble, those around you will help. Embrace your lack of experience as a positive, actively raise your hand, grow, and make a big impact in your respective workplaces."

Accelerating DX Promotion. First Recruitment of "DX/IT Talent" as New Graduates

The Kewpie Group has set "Evolution of Value Creation Process" as a strategy in its Mid-Term Management Plan for FY2025-2028. We are working on various DX strategies across the entire company, inter-departmentally, and within each department, accelerating the transformation of business models and operational processes to optimize the value chain and supply chain throughout the company. Furthermore, by actively utilizing data and AI, we aim to expand the creativity and potential of each individual and maximize the value provided.

This year marks the first time we have recruited new employees in specialized fields for roles primarily responsible for building and promoting the group's overall DX/IT strategy and business transformation. In addition to understanding the company, these individuals will acquire DX/IT knowledge, thoroughly grasp customers' potential needs, deepen customer understanding, and promote business reforms in various group departments, working together with various departments to drive change.

"Kewpie Group DX" website https://www.kewpie.com/dx/

【Voices of New Employees Joining the DX/IT Department】

I feel a sense of purpose in supporting and transforming Kewpie, a company beloved by customers throughout its long history, as digital and IT power are essential for future reforms. Considering that this is the 101st year of Kewpie Mayonnaise, I may still be immature, but I want to bring a fresh perspective and contribute in ways only we can.

【Voice of the Recruitment Manager】

By starting to recruit new graduates for "DX/IT" positions this year, in addition to mid-career hires, we aim to become a more diverse organization. We strongly expect that individuals with new ideas and diverse skills will challenge existing frameworks and become the driving force for pioneering the future of the entire Kewpie Group.