Japanese-English Bilingual General Manager

About Our Client

Our client is a publicly listed, Tokyo-headquartered consumer brand known for thoughtfully designed products and a devoted customer community around the world. North America has become one of its most important growth markets, and the company recently established a U.S. subsidiary in Los Angeles to serve the region more directly.

The Role

We are looking for the first General Manager of the U.S. company. You will lead the U.S. company as a whole: its strategy and P&L, its sales and marketing, and the operations behind them, including finance, people, compliance and logistics.

You will report to C-level leadership at headquarters in Tokyo, and lead the U.S. team, including the Sales & Marketing Manager and the HR & Accounting Coordinator.

What You’ll Do

Own the business: Set the North American strategy, annual plan and budget together with headquarters, and take responsibility for the P&L.

Grow sales: Lead the development of retail, wholesale, distributor and e-commerce channels, including marketplaces such as Amazon, and manage key partner relationships.

Lead marketing in the region: Guide localized marketing, events and trade shows, and bring the voice of U.S. customers back to the product and brand teams in Tokyo.

Build and lead the team: Hire, develop and manage the U.S. team; set goals, review performance, and establish how the team works.

Run the company: Oversee finance and reporting with outside accountants, payroll and benefits with the PEO, and contracts, insurance and regulatory compliance.

Manage the supply chain: Oversee import, customs, inventory and fulfillment together with logistics partners.

Report and align: Provide regular business reporting to headquarters, and connect the U.S. market and the teams in Tokyo.

What We’re Looking For

Must-haves

-10+ years of experience in consumer products, retail, e-commerce or brand businesses, including responsibility for a business unit, a P&L or a U.S. subsidiary

-3+ years of managing people, including hiring and performance management

-Hands-on knowledge of U.S. business operations (budgeting, financial reporting, contracts and compliance), working with outside advisors

-A track record of growing sales through retail, wholesale or e-commerce channels in North America

-Business-level Japanese and professional-level English

-Authorization to work in the United States (visa sponsorship is not available for this role)

Nice-to-haves

-Experience as General Manager or Country Manager at the U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese company

-Experience launching or ramping up a new U.S. entity

-Experience with Amazon (Seller or Vendor Central) or Shopify

-Experience with import, customs and third-party logistics

-Experience with lifestyle, gift or design-led consumer products