Your key responsibilities
Key areas of accountability/responsibility
- Implement the global B&C strategy and customer segmentation with the region and contribute to the global budget and GPx target.
- Elaborate an aspirational vision with the team, develop a comprehensive strategic plan (3 years, 18 months rolling) and ensure its implementation. 13. Leads total system analysis as part of overall strategic plan
- Leads business development & customer P&L linkage
- Contribute to developing the account strategy and sales plan(s) of the BG/BU
- Effectively manage the Japan sales organization and distributors (if there is no designated distribution manager) to obtain the desired results within the budgeted costs and internal supply chain (customer experience, supply chain, QC).
- Build prime relationships with key decision makers at the customer, and coach team members to do the same with their counterparts.
- Achieve substantial sales and profitability growth with the existing and new product portfolios.
- Follows KPIs versus targets (Sales, Gross Profit, individuals) and takes corrective actions if necessary.
- Delivers convincing product presentations to customers.
- Liaise closely with the Regional Commercial Manager and the Regional Sales Head to accurately define pricing and forecast sales.
- Lead negotiation of pricing agreements following company guidelines.
- Acquiring new business and defending existing business by identifying and creating opportunities, articulating the company's value proposition, and promoting new products, concepts, or technologies.
- Develop understanding of trends and requirements in the 3 different target segments and feed back to HQ to trigger development.
- Feed opportunity mapping at each customer and take actions to increase profitability and/or market share.
- Support Global Key Account Managers to achieve global sales with top customers.
- Coach teams effectively, retaining and developing talent and taking actions on non-performance.
- Authorities implement the global B&C strategy within the region.
- Appraise and coach regional sales teams.
- Decision-making commercial within the framework.
- Signature rights align with existing P&B and/or d-f policies and rules, i.e. d-f Internal Authorization Policy.
- Develop, implement, and manage a cost-effective and efficient organization, with clear stakeholder maps and governance structure, including working processes, Finance system, Administration, and Reporting
- If necessary, supporting the d-f Japan leadership team to implement Japan's local initiatives
You Bring
- University degree in business and/or technical field, MBA desired, but not mandatory for candidates with strong track record in customer management
- Commercially savvy with strong business acumen. Solid financial and Project Management skills
- Have a vision on trends as well as regulatory and market changes – anything that can influence and impact our customers
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers, decision makers and influencers – proven talent to navigate amongst all hierarchy levels of the organization
- Excellent leadership skills and ability to orchestrate multifunctional resources, to energize and lead a cross-functional team around a project without formal authority
- High emotional intelligence. Stress resilience and ability to deal constructively with rejection and adversity
- International mindset with high intercultural sensitivity. Willingness to travel and comfortable in working with different geographic cultures. Willingness to learn and embracing change.
- Outstanding communication skills. Competence in developing and delivering compelling presentations
- Fluent in English, any other language is an advantage
About dsm-firmenich
At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.
Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.
From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.
And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.
Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.
DEI and equal opportunity statement
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.
And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.