Work Type: Full-Time | Office-Based
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Compensation: Base salary ¥8.0M – ¥16.0M annually (commensurate with experience) + Performance Bonus + Executive Benefits
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and operational leader to serve as General Manager for our Tokyo office. In this role, you will hold overall responsibility for the administrative, operational, and financial management of our Tokyo headquarters, ensuring seamless coordination between internal departments, local client accounts, financial institutions, and global network partners.
As a purely office-based executive role, the General Manager will focus on team leadership, P&L management, banking relationships, regulatory compliance in Japan, vendor contracts, and continuous process optimization across our freight forwarding and supply chain management services.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & Financial Strategy
- Direct and manage daily office operations, establishing KPIs, workflow standards, and operational benchmarks for department heads.
- Maintain complete P&L responsibility for the Tokyo office, driving cost efficiency, revenue growth, capital allocation, and budget planning.
- Manage corporate banking relationships in Japan, overseeing credit lines, financing facilities, cash management, and treasury operations.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance office culture while maintaining strong retention and employee engagement.
Logistics Management & Quality Control
- Oversee office-based logistics coordination, import/export documentation control, customs compliance, and client service operations.
- Optimize operational procedures (SOPs) to enhance service accuracy, cargo transit efficiency, and issue resolution times.
- Negotiate high-level contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs) with carriers, shipping lines, customs brokers, and third-party vendors.
Stakeholder, Banking & Regulatory Management
- Maintain strong, trust-based relationships with major Japanese megabanks, regional financial institutions, and trade finance partners.
- Ensure strict adherence to Japanese labor laws, commercial regulations, financial/accounting standards, customs protocols, and international trade compliance.
- Act as the primary point of escalation for key strategic clients and financial stakeholders, ensuring high satisfaction and retention rates.
- Collaborate with regional/global headquarters to align local operational and financial strategies with broader corporate objectives.
Qualifications & Experience
- Industry Background:
- 10+ years of progressive management experience within the logistics, supply chain, or freight forwarding sectors in Japan, with at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership/General Manager capacity.
- Financial Sector Experience: Proven background or strong exposure to the financial/banking industry in Japan, with an established network and active relationships across major Japanese banks (Megabanks / regional institutions).
- Language Proficiency:
- Japanese: Native/Bilingual level (essential for executive communication, formal bank negotiations, legal contract review, and managing staff).
- English: Business/Fluent level (essential for global corporate reporting, financial disclosures, and international team collaboration).
- Leadership Capabilities: Proven track record in organizational leadership, financial management (P&L), credit line negotiations, and staff development within a Japanese corporate environment.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of corporate finance, Japanese trade regulations, customs clearance procedures, air/ocean freight operations, and supply chain logistics.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field (Master’s/MBA preferred).
Key Competencies
- Strong financial acumen, decision-making, strategic planning, and corporate risk management capabilities.
- Proficiency in bank negotiations, credit structuring, trade financing, logistics management software (TMS/WMS), ERP systems, and financial modeling tools.
- Solid understanding of Japanese workplace culture, business etiquette, banking protocols, and decision-making processes (Nemawashi, Ringi).
Benefits & Work Environment
- Full social insurance coverage (Shakai Hoken).
- Commuting allowance (Tsukin Teate).
- Standard Japanese corporate holidays, paid leave (Yukyu), and year-end/new-year breaks.
- Stable, office-focused executive environment in central Tokyo.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their English CV and Japanese application documents (Rirekisho and Shokumu Keirekisho) outlining their managerial achievements, logistics background, and relevant financial/banking experience in Japan.