Join a global automotive technology supplier as a Drivetrain Regional Sales Director in Yokohama, leading regional sales strategy and business development for drivetrain, powertrain and electrification solutions.
This senior automotive sales leadership role focuses on major Japanese OEM customers, with responsibility for regional revenue, order intake, market share, profitability, pricing strategy and long-term account development. You will build strategic relationships with procurement and business leaders while identifying opportunities across both domestic and international markets.
Working closely with product marketing, R&D, manufacturing and overseas operations, you will connect Japanese automotive OEMs with global manufacturing and engineering sites while leading and developing the regional sales organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Formulate and execute regional automotive sales strategies, mid-term business plans and annual budgets.
- Manage regional sales performance across key metrics including revenue, order intake, market share and profitability.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with procurement and business leaders at major Japanese automotive OEM customers.
- Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, cost adjustments and contractual terms.
- Drive business development opportunities for drivetrain, powertrain and electrification technologies.
- Coordinate with product marketing and R&D teams to plan and execute Innovation Tech Days for customer groups.
- Lead regional customer communications during crisis situations to protect long-term business relationships.
- Oversee cross-border quotations and commercial alignment with overseas manufacturing and engineering locations.
- Identify and develop international commercial opportunities connected to Japanese OEM customers and global operations.
- Lead, manage and develop the regional sales team using structured sales methodologies such as Challenger Sales.
- Monitor team performance and support the professional development of sales team members.
- Collaborate across regional and global functions to achieve revenue, profitability and business growth objectives.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the automotive industry.
- At least 3 years of direct sales experience with Japanese automotive OEM customers.
- Proven experience managing sales teams and leading direct commercial sales reports.
- Demonstrated experience executing sales processes within a Tier 1 automotive supplier environment.
- Strong experience managing commercial negotiations, pricing and customer account development.
- Experience driving regional sales performance against revenue, order intake, market share and profitability targets.
Soft Skills:
- Strong leadership capability with the ability to motivate, develop and manage sales team members.
- Excellent negotiation and conflict-resolution skills for managing complex commercial situations while maintaining customer trust.
- Strong strategic thinking and business development capabilities.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with senior procurement and business stakeholders at automotive OEM customers.
- Strong cross-functional communication skills for collaborating with R&D, product marketing, manufacturing and global commercial teams.
- Ability to operate effectively across domestic and international business environments.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Intermediate / Business level
- English: Fluent / Business level
- Ability to engage with domestic automotive customers in Japanese and manage cross-border collaboration, negotiations and global reporting in English.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Business-level Japanese proficiency.
- Career experience combining engineering or project management with subsequent automotive sales leadership.
- Experience expanding commercial business in international markets such as South Korea, China or Mexico.
- Experience developing business for drivetrain, powertrain, electrification or related automotive technologies.
About the Company
Our client is a global automotive supplier developing advanced powertrain, thermal, electronic and lighting technologies for vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
Its power division develops technologies across electric powertrain systems, battery components, engines and transmissions, supporting the evolving requirements of global automotive OEM customers.
The organisation combines global R&D and manufacturing capabilities with regional customer expertise, enabling its commercial teams to connect Japanese automotive manufacturers with international engineering and production operations.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Senior sales leadership: Lead regional automotive sales strategy, business development and commercial performance.
- Major Japanese OEM customers: Build strategic relationships with key procurement and business leaders at leading automotive manufacturers.
- Electrification exposure: Work across drivetrain, electric powertrain, battery and engine/transmission technologies.
- Global commercial responsibility: Connect Japanese OEM customers with international manufacturing and engineering sites.
- Strategic ownership: Take responsibility for revenue, order intake, market share, profitability and long-term sales planning.
- Team leadership: Manage and develop a regional sales organisation while strengthening sales processes and capabilities.
- International business development: Gain exposure to cross-border commercial opportunities and global operating locations.
- Flexible working: Benefit from remote and work-from-home options together with flex time.
- Executive-level opportunity: Take on a high-impact commercial leadership position within a global automotive technology organisation.
Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!
