Business Development Manager

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

 

Business Development Manager
Based in Japan

Job ref: JE /65021

 

Client Overview:

Listgrove is supporting an exciting young company in the circular plastics sector who has ambitious global plans.

 

Role Overview:

The ideal candidate will have extensive commercial experience in the polymer market, ideally having worked across the value chain on sustainable polymer solutions. He/She will be responsible for identifying market opportunities, develop the business and expand the customer base in the Asian Market.
The candidate will ideally have a broad commercial profile and proven track record in all phases of customer engagement, from developing a pipeline, introduction, contracting to long term partnerships.
The immediate focus is in on identifying and engaging with new customers to build a robust pipeline in an independent and hands-on manner, whilst contributing to executing the right overall strategic structure for further maturation of the customer pipeline, together with the Global commercial team.

 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage Key Accounts within the portfolio. Be responsible for relationship management at all levels across the customer’s business, contract and price negotiation and facilitating market opportunity.
• Delivery of sales budget and growth targets, either at existing customers or new accounts. Responsible for contract negotiations, and accountable for gross margin.
• Responsible for delivery of the sales and marketing plan across the region, identifying the major opportunities and risks to the plan and proposing potential solutions and implementing changes as agreed with the Commercial team. Act as the lead in the customer offer implementation and work with all function to ensure the project is a success
• Participate actively in the build-up of needed commercial operations and support as the organisation ramps up (Customer Service, technical sales)
• Be accountable for all contractual commitments and business targets being met, whilst continuously identifying opportunities for improvement for both service and costs and managing delivery through the relevant teams.
• Be responsible for negotiating contracts within the region. The individual must be well briefed in contract law to ensure all contracts meet the legal requirements and risk is managed to levels agreed with the Commercial department.

 

Person Spec:

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a sales and or customer facing role, preferably selling speciality chemicals.
• Hands on experience in value selling in the Asian polymer, chemicals, or materials markets
• Understanding of sustainability, decarbonization, and regulatory dynamics affecting materials markets
• The ability to understand and comprehend the needs of the customer on a technical level.
• Highly developed commercial and excellent negotiation skills.
• Advanced ability to seek and interpret information whether commercial, competitive, technical or legislative and communicate this back to the business in a timely manner.
• Proven track record of success from international or global organisations
• Strong analytical skills – accurate planning and forecasting
• Good presentation/IT skills
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a sales and or customer facing role, preferably selling speciality chemicals
• Existing relationships with Japanese brand owners, and converters serving brands with ESG profile despite Chinese regulatory focus on recycling
• Experience selling polyolefin resins in Japan, ideally with ESG angle
• Understanding of guanxi dynamics and converter decision-making
• Native Japanese + full English business proficiency

 

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly

 

 

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is located. Evidence of the right to work may be required during the recruitment process
For reasons of readability, gender-specific language has been simplified. All references to individuals apply equally to people of all genders.

To apply please contact Jane Edwards
Jane.edwards@listgrove.com
0044 (0) 1789 207070

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Why select Listgrove?
· Five Decades of Market Intelligence
· Unrivalled Industry Networks
· Recognised International brand
· HR Qualified Professionals

 

To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.

 

Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.

 

Performance through People.

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