Business Development & Program Manager
Listed on 2026-08-17
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Business
Business Development, Client Relationship Management
[ Position ]
Business Development & Program Manager
[ Summary ]This role is not merely a replacement, but a key manager candidate position designed to drive business continuity and strengthen sales/marketing support functions for the Japan headquarters. Serving as a primary liaison between U.S. manufacturers/partners, Japan HQ, and domestic Japanese clients in defense, industrial equipment, and related fields, this individual will independently manage ongoing project progress, delivery timelines, technical inquiries, and drive new business development.
We are seeking a proactive, self-motivated professional who can anticipate risks and challenges, with smooth cross-cultural coordination capabilities across both Japanese and U.S. business environments.
Program & Account Management / Issue Resolution
Negotiate and follow up with U.S. manufacturers and vendors regarding lead times, pricing, quality, and technical inquiries.
Proactively identify potential delivery delays or contractual concerns and elevate them promptly to Japan HQ.
Schedule meetings, draft minutes, and document agreed-upon and open action items.
U.S. Manufacturer & Partner Relations
Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing partners and communicate Japanese market and customer requirements in English.
Handle factory visits, trade shows, and industry conferences.
Sales & Marketing Support for Japan HQ
Research U.S. market trends, identify new vendors/products, and analyze competitor/regulatory movements.
Coordinate itineraries, meetings, and provide escort/support for Japan HQ executives and clients visiting the U.S.
Assist in trade show execution and prepare product/vendor introduction pitch decks.
Business Planning & Operational Standardization
Prepare monthly activity reports, assist in budget-to-actual tracking, and support mid-term planning for existing and new initiatives.
Take over operations from the predecessor and establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and tracking tools to eliminate reliance on specific individuals.
Hours: local U.S. office regulations
Employment Type: Full-time Permanent (3-month probation period)
Office: LA Torrance Office, California, USA
Travel: Domestic travel within the U.S. approx. once per month (2-3 days). Travel to Japan is rare (emergencies only).
Target Salary: $80K- $100K
Commensurate with experience and capabilities. Flexible to exceed $100,000+ for exceptionally qualified candidates.
Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus available
Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance package (Health, Dental, Vision, etc.)
Relocation assistance is generally not provided (open to discussion).
U.S. local company holiday calendar
Professional
Experience:
Hands-on experience in B2B Sales, Overseas Sales, Technical Sales, Procurement, Project Management, or Trading Company (Shosha) operations.
Language Proficiency:
Bilingual fluency in Japanese and English (TOEIC 800+ equivalent).
English: Proficient in daily negotiations, leading meetings, and email correspondence with U.S. vendors/ manufacturers.
Japanese: Native/business fluency for seamless communication, reporting, and client hosting with Japan HQ and Japanese clients.
Work Authorization:
Must possess valid work authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship (e.g., U.S. Permanent Resident / Green Card, U.S. Citizen).
No visa sponsorship provided.
Skills & IT Literacy: Strong document/report preparation skills in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; proven ability to manage project timelines and risks involving multiple stakeholders.
Mindset: Proactive and self-driven, capable of taking initiative beyond rigid job boundaries in a small, agile 2-person office setup.
Experience working at Japanese trading companies, specialized traders, manufacturers, or U.S. subsidiaries of Japanese corporations (deep understanding of Japanese business customs, Hou-Ren-So, and consensus-building).
Background or domain knowledge in Aerospace, Defense, Space, Electronics, Telecommunications, Industrial Equipment, or MRO.
Experience handling technical documents, specifications, blueprints, or RFPs.
Valid Driver’s License.
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