General Manager

Osaka - Japan

Yearly Salary: ¥ 12000000 - 15000000

Posted on: 9 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Location

Osaka Japan (with regular domestic and international travel)

Company Overview
Our client is a well-established global freight forwarding group with a strong international network and a long-term commitment to the Japanese market. The company is known for its entrepreneurial culture relationship-driven approach and focus on controlled sustainable growth through its overseas network.

Role Overview
The Country Manager / General Manager will have full responsibility for the Japan business with accountability for P&L performance people leadership and strategic development of overseas-controlled business through the global network.

In addition to country-level leadership this role requires a hands-on agile playing manager who is comfortable engaging directly in day-to-day business activities when needed. Rather than operating solely as an instruction-focused manager the successful candidate will actively support operations commercial initiatives and problem-solving alongside the team particularly in a lean organizational structure.

This role is ideally suited to a senior leader currently operating in a No.2 or Deputy Country Manager position within a global freight forwarder ready to step into full country responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Business & P&L Leadership

Full P&L ownership for the Japan entity including revenue growth cost control and profitability
Develop and execute a practical execution-focused country strategy aligned with global objectives
Ensure compliance with local regulations internal governance and group standards

Overseas Controlled Business Development

Actively develop overseas-controlled business generated through the global network
Serve as a visible and responsive counterpart to overseas offices and regional stakeholders
Communicate Japans capabilities constraints and opportunities clearly and confidently to the network

Commercial & Operational Engagement

Maintain a strong Ocean Freight focus while supporting cross-product collaboration
Actively engage in key customer discussions pricing decisions carrier negotiations and escalations
Step into operational or commercial matters when required particularly during peak periods or complex cases

People & Organization Management

Lead manage and develop a team of approximately 9 staff across operations and commercial functions
Operate as a playing manager setting the tone through direct involvement as well as leadership
Build a stable reliable organization with clear accountability trust and open communication
Encourage an open-minded culture that values initiative continuous improvement and new ideas

Communication & Stakeholder Management

Act as the primary representative of the Japan organization internally and externally
Communicate effectively and professionally in both Japanese and English written and spoken
Provide clear reporting forecasting and transparent updates to regional and global management

Top Skills & Attributes Required

Proven Japan team management capability with experience leading small to mid-sized teams
Hands-on agile playing manager mindset with willingness to engage directly in operations and commercial matters
Full P&L ownership or strong exposure with accountability for revenue cost control and profitability
Strong communication skills in both Japanese and English able to engage confidently with local teams and global networks
Open-minded and adaptable approach receptive to new ideas and continuous improvement
Stable reliable leadership style with a long-term trust-based mindset
Based in Osaka or strongly rooted in the Kansai market

Language & Communication

Native-level Japanese
Business-fluent English capable of confident communication with global networks and senior stakeholders

Ideal Candidate Profile

Japanese national currently working in a No.2 / Deputy / Senior Management role at a global forwarder
Based in Osaka or strongly rooted in the Kansai market
Experienced as a hands-on leader who leads by example rather than instruction alone
Comfortable engaging directly in operations sales and network coordination as required
Ready to step into full country leadership with autonomy accountability and visibility

Location Osaka Japan (with regular domestic and international travel) Company Overview Our client is a well-established global freight forwarding group with a strong international network and a long-term commitment to the Japanese market. The company is known for its entrepreneurial culture relation...