Senior Business Development Manager - Japan

This senior position combines new customer acquisition and strategic customer success leadership across all Marcura services with broader sales and market-facing responsibilities in Japan. 

Initially, the focus will be on sales activities to acquire new customers for Marcura services in Japan, gradually expanding to customer engagement while also building relationships with key stakeholders across the entire Marcura Shipping Services portfolio and supporting new business development. 

Over time, the role is expected to expand to include broader market leadership, increased commercial accountability, and greater ownership for Marcura's presence in Japan, subject to performance and business needs. 

The role requires a commercially minded, culturally fluent professional, with a deep understanding of shipping and experience in the shipping industry, who can operate as a trusted advisor to senior Japanese shipping stakeholders while also partnering closely with Marcura’s global Sales, Product, Customer Success, and Operations teams. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support new business development in Japan in close collaboration with the Marcura Shipping Services sales team
• Build and maintain executive level relationships with key customer stakeholders, including C suite and senior operational leaders
• Own customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term value creation for a portfolio of Japanese accounts
• Represent the voice of the Japanese customer base internally, influencing product direction, service delivery, and commercial strategy
• Develop the capability, credibility, and leadership skills required to potentially take on broader market and leadership responsibilities over time

Requirements

• Graduate degree or equivalent professional experience
• Significant experience in customer‑facing, commercial, or account leadership roles
• Experience in commercial shipping or maritime services for more than a decade
• Executive‑level communication and presence
• High cultural intelligence and fluency in Japanese business practices
• Commercial mindset with strong customer empathy
• Confidence, resilience, and adaptability
• Strong problem‑solving, negotiation, and change‑management capabilities
• Account strategy and customer lifecycle management
• Commercial negotiation and contract management
• Market and industry insight
• Technology and data literacy, including software‑enabled services
• Project and stakeholder management
• Full professional fluency in Japanese and English (spoken and written) is required, with the ability to conduct senior-level commercial and relationship discussions in both languages.  

Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Bonus: We reward your expertise and contributions.
• Inclusive Onboarding Experience: Our onboarding program is designed to set you up for success right from day one.
• Marcura Wellness Zone: We value your work-life balance and well-being.
• Global Opportunities: Be part of an ambitious, expanding company with a local touch.
• Diverse, Supportive Work Culture: We’re committed to inclusion, diversity, and a sense of belonging for all team members.