Sales Manager - Automotive Lubricants, Japan

About the role

BP Castrol is looking for a Sales Manager to lead its automotive lubricant sales team in Japan. The role focuses on growing sales and profitability mainly in the Consumer (B2C) and Independent Workshop channels, reporting to the Market Sales Manager Japan & Korea and working closely with Marketing and other functions. It is a hybrid office/remote position with some travel, and it is not eligible for relocation.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the automotive B2C sales team in Japan, ensuring safe, reliable and compliant operations and high HSSE standards.
• Develop and implement short-, medium- and long-term automotive sales strategies and the annual B2C sales plan with volume and margin targets.
• Deliver timely and accurate forecasts and activity plans for the B2C business.
• Maintain existing carshop and distributor relationships and identify and deliver new B2C business.
• Track customer performance, promote data-driven interventions and work with Marketing on new consumer offers.
• Build Board-level relationships with key customers and represent the team with global stakeholders.
• Lead the people agenda, coaching and motivating the team and closing competency gaps through training.

Required profile

• University degree, ideally in marketing or business; further study in business, finance or marketing is advantageous.
• Experience managing sales organizations, key accounts, direct sales and distributor networks, and leading and motivating teams.
• Solid experience in B2C or B2B sales in multinational companies at a national level.
• Native-level Japanese and reading and writing skills in English.

Required skills

• Marketing, key account management and business development.
• Sales forecasting and demand planning, account strategy and business planning.
• Strong leadership, negotiation and networking skills.