Placement

This position has already been successfully completed (please do not apply).

2025

Managing Director Sales - Japan Branch (m/f)

Company    

Our client is an internationally successful German automotive supplier, with more than 100 years history and branches in 15 countries.
10 years ago a branch in Japan was established with the function of being the communication interface between the HQ in Germany and the Japanese automotive OEM customers.
    
Job Profile

Reason for the vacancy    
  • Newly created position in the course of redefining the Japan branch’s objectives and thus a reconstruction of the management.
  • Our client is searching for a second managing director, who will be in charge of the commercial side and the communication between the customers in Japan and the HQ in Germany.
Objectives of the job
  • Successful and competent customer care as a German supplier for the Japanese automotive OEMs, for the existing customers / projects as well as new business opportunities
  • Maintaining a smooth communication between the branches in regard to customer’s inquiries, requirements and problems   
Main tasks
All aspects of the tasks for a managing director sales:

Towards the Japan branch:
  • Close communication and exchange of information with the team
  • Leading the team in regard to the defined goals
  • Coaching the team members to optimize the customer care for the Japanese automotive OEMs
Towards the Japanese automotive OEMs:
  • Thorough management of the current most important projects and key accounts
  • Assuring commercial customer support
  • Explanation of HQ offers to the customers in Japan
  • Contact person for automotive OEMs in case of project problems
  • Avoiding escalations by sensitively foreseeing and managing potential conflict situations
  • In the future widening business activities in Japan with identified companies (OEMs) according to sales strategy
Towards the Headquarter in Germany:
  • Management of the current projects in coordination with the Board of Japan (located in HQ Germany) & respective divisions
  • Maintaining a close communication and regular exchange of information with the colleagues in Germany
  • Timely involvement of the HQ in case of conflicts with the customers
  • Regular reporting about the current situation to the Board of Japan (in HQ Germany)
Towards the R&D site in South Korea:
  • Close communication in regard to highly technical inquiries
  • Involvement of qualified staff in Korea for tasks, that cannot be executed in the Japan branch (e.g. electronic application and detailed construction)
Position within the company hierarchy    
  • The owner of the position reports to Vice President Corporate Sales and Vice President Corporate Product Development in the HQ in Germany, which is the Board of Japan
    
Team work
  • Close cooperation with the colleagues in Japan as well as correspondence with the team in Germany
  • Cooperation with the R&D branch in Korea in case of specialized technical requests    
Travelling        
  • Regularly (20 – 50%), depending on situation and project   
Conditions:    
  • Annual salary: The final amount depends on the experience and background of the candidate
  • Place of work: Tokyo, Japan
  • Date of employment: As soon as possible
Requirements Profile

Education    
  • University degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably with commercial background in combination with technical understanding (e.g. via long-term experiences in automotive industry) 
Professional experiences    
The ideal candidate is experienced in the following areas:
  • Professional experiences in the automotive industry, preferably Tier-1
  • No engineering background necessary, but high technological understanding – electrical engineering more welcome than mechanics
  • Experience in dealing with customers (automotive OEMs) as a supplier in Japan in regard to commercial or sales activities
  • Overseas experiences in the above mentioned areas advantageous but not necessary
  • Professional experiences in a subsidiary of a German or European company in Japan advantageous but not necessary
Language skills    
  • Japanese: business fluent – a smooth communication and clear understanding of complex and highly technological issues as well as the cultural background has to be ensured
  • English: business fluent
  • German: desirable, but not a deciding factor   
Personal skills    
  • High intercultural competence, sensitive handling of Japanese automotive companies
  • Very good communication and networking skills between Europe and Japan
  • High technological affinity
  • Ability to work independently as well as in close cooperation in a team
  • Prepared to take the initiative
  • Appropriate and friendly appearance towards the client as a supplier