Director, Sales & Marketing

AJINOMOTO (SINGAPORE) PRIVATE LIMITED; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Business Development Manager, where you will lead strategic initiatives in the personal care and cosmetics industry. This role offers the opportunity to drive sales growth, manage key accounts, and develop marketing strategies tailored to regional needs. With a focus on expanding market presence across Southeast Asia and Oceania, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer engagement. If you're a strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and excellent communication skills, this position will allow you to make a significant impact while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in B2B specialty chemical sales with leadership experience.
• Proven track record in personal care/cosmetics industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and manage key accounts in designated countries.
• Develop regional marketing strategies and oversee brand presence.

Skills

Japanese Language Proficiency

Sales Management

Strategic Marketing

Project Management

Negotiation Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

MBA

Job description

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Sales Management

• Lead new business development and manage existing key accounts in designated countries.
• Drive sales growth to achieve annual sales targets and expand customer base.
• Strengthen partnerships with major clients and other strategic accounts.
• Conduct customer visits (overseas visits and virtual meetings), understand project pipelines, and promote company products and materials.
• Monitor and follow up on project progress, customer requests, and payment status.
• Collaborate with technical service teams to enhance customer engagement and solutions.

2. Strategic Marketing & Industry Penetration

• Develop and execute regional marketing strategies, with KPIs tailored to market needs and distributor capabilities.
• Provide strategic direction for product promotion in the personal care and cosmetics industry.
• Track global market trends, consumer demands, and competitive intelligence to guide product positioning and sales strategies.
• Plan and oversee regional webinars, exhibitions, and distributor meetings to reinforce brand presence.
• Prepare technical marketing materials and presentations for both customers and partners.
• Ensure compliance with international and regional regulatory requirements (e.g. GHS, Halal, RSPO, NDPE, NMPA).

3. Market Expansion & Structural Reinforcement

• Lead projects to reinforce sales structures in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Identify and develop strategic opportunities to expand the regional footprint in new or underpenetrated markets.
• Coordinate internal resources to implement market-entry or reinforcement plans.

4. Operational & Supply Coordination

• Oversee sales forecasting and supply-demand planning in collaboration with relevant departments.
• Support issue resolution related to supply chain disruptions, logistics, and customer service.
• Lead special projects to improve operational efficiency and organisational effectiveness in the business unit.
• Support submission of various business reports requirements mandated by headquarter.
Coordinate with the planning and business support department as well as business divisions of the Tokyo Head Office

5. Leadership and Team Management

• Provide strategic direction and operational leadership to the sales and technical teams.
• Ensure clear communication of goals, expectations, and performance standards.
• Promote a high-performance culture through coaching, mentoring, and talent development.
• Foster collaboration across functions to deliver seamless customer support and business execution.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must possess business level Japanese speaking and writing capability.
• JLPT N1 certification is preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in B2B specialty chemical sales, with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record in the personal care / cosmetics raw materials industry, especially in overseas markets.
• Strong knowledge of Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India markets.
• Experience in working with multinational clients and navigating cultural/regulatory differences.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and project management skills.
Ability to travel regionally as required

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen.
• Self-driven and results oriented.
• Collaborative and cross-functional leadership style.
• Customer-centric mindset with strong relationship-building ability.