Senior Commercial Compliance Manager - FMCG Tokyo

Take a senior leadership role in commercial compliance, sales conduct governance, and internal investigations with a prominent global consumer business in Tokyo. As a Senior Commercial Compliance Manager, you will help lead the compliance framework across a large-scale Japanese operation, with particular focus on field sales practices, ethical distribution, mis-selling prevention, and business integrity.

This role combines corporate compliance, internal investigations, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC), third-party risk, and regulatory compliance. You will work closely with business leaders and regional APAC stakeholders to identify compliance risks, provide practical advice, investigate potential breaches, and strengthen an ethical business culture.

With significant visibility across the organisation, this position is ideal for an experienced compliance professional who can balance robust governance with pragmatic, commercially focused advice.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the execution of the commercial compliance framework across extensive Japan operations, with particular focus on field sales conduct, mis-selling prevention, and ethical distribution practices.
• Lead end-to-end internal investigations into potential compliance breaches, ensuring cases are handled confidentially, professionally, and followed by appropriate remediation.
• Provide practical, risk-based advice on Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC), conflicts of interest, third-party risk, business conduct, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments, control testing, and operational monitoring to proactively identify and mitigate integrity and conduct risks.
• Develop and deliver local compliance training and awareness programmes, helping strengthen a robust Speak-Up culture across business functions.
• Report key compliance metrics, emerging risk trends, investigation outcomes, and remediation progress to local leadership and regional APAC stakeholders.
• Partner with business leaders and commercial teams to embed effective compliance practices while supporting responsible business growth.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum 7-8 years of hands-on corporate compliance experience, including responsibility for compliance programmes, internal investigations, and commercial risk advisory.
• Strong experience in commercial conduct governance, ABAC, conflicts of interest, third-party risk, and operational compliance risk mitigation within a multinational organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead internal investigations from initial allegation and fact-finding through assessment, reporting, and remediation.
• Experience conducting compliance risk assessments, monitoring, control testing, or related assurance activities.
• Proven experience advising business leaders on complex compliance matters and translating regulatory or ethical requirements into practical business guidance.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent university qualification.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical judgement and a pragmatic problem-solving approach, with the ability to assess complex compliance risks and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, with the credibility to advise and challenge senior business leaders.
• Strong interviewing and case-management capabilities for handling sensitive internal investigations.
• Ability to operate independently, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgement in high-risk or sensitive situations.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across commercial functions, local leadership, and regional APAC teams.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Native-level proficiency required for local investigations, stakeholder engagement, and compliance activities.
• English: Business-level proficiency required for communication and collaboration with regional APAC stakeholders.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Academic background in Law or a recognised legal qualification such as J.D., LL.M., Bengoshi, or an equivalent foreign legal qualification.
• Compliance experience within FMCG, consumer goods, retail, healthcare, pharmaceutical, or insurance organisations.
• Direct experience supporting or overseeing large-scale field sales organisations.
• Advanced experience conducting complex internal investigations involving commercial conduct, employee behaviour, or potential compliance breaches.
• Knowledge of compliance risks associated with sales practices, distribution networks, third-party relationships, and customer interactions.
• Experience working within a multinational organisation and collaborating with regional or global compliance teams.

About the Company

Our client is a major international consumer goods organisation undergoing a significant multi-billion-dollar industry transformation. The company combines a substantial global commercial footprint with a strong focus on sustainable innovation, responsible business practices, and ethical growth.

Its scale and international operating model provide compliance professionals with exposure to complex commercial environments, large field sales operations, and regional stakeholders. The organisation is investing in its future while strengthening the governance and compliance frameworks required to support responsible long-term growth.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Competitive compensation of ¥14M-¥17M.
• Step into a high-visibility commercial compliance leadership role supporting a major business operation in Japan.
• Lead complex internal investigations, sales conduct, ABAC, and commercial compliance matters with significant business impact.
• Receive direct exposure to and mentorship from experienced senior compliance leaders.
• Collaborate with regional APAC stakeholders in a highly international working environment.
• Build long-term career opportunities within a global organisation undergoing significant business transformation.
• Benefit from excellent working flexibility, including up to three days of work from home, full flex time, and half-day Fridays.
• Enjoy a working environment designed to support flexibility and work-life balance, including minimal overtime.

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