Head International Markets (Rubber Blacks) - Japan

Job Title: Head International Markets (Rubber Blacks) - Japan
Department: International Markets
Reports To: Chief- International Markets
Location: Japan
Role Purpose:
Key Result Areas:
New Business Development Undertake customer visits to understand technical requirements and maintain continuous communication with required teams Work with customers for development of new products/applications Provide solutions as per customer needs Identify products from our range through extensive customer visits Identify grades to be offered to different customers by proper segmentation Enhance technical and product application knowledge to recommend first-time-right solutions Conduct technical training for customers, sales teams and channel partners Organize competitors' samples for rubber grades benchmarking Coordinate with Sales & Marketing team for product launches Sales volume from new identified customers Number of new product approvals
Product Approvals Facilitate approval of client's existing rubber grades Explore possibilities of value-added products/applications by educating customers and providing desired data/test results Take trials and establish processes at customer sites, including on-site troubleshooting and routine quality checks Coordinate with R&D/Manufacturing/PT Teams to propose product design including performance tests Approval for full commercial supply (achieved for basic grades like N550, N660, N330, N220; target to improve for specialty grades)
Business Development Develop new business opportunities among existing and new customers/segments Generate new leads and develop customer relationships Drive business development and marketing activities Understand customer's business products, applications, manufacturing facilities and segments serviced Establish client's grades with focus on brand identity by differentiating quality & service Identify and establish channel partners Market Intelligence: Continuous effort to gather information on competitors' activities, new products, applications, etc Number of development projects with customers Regular proposals for new products based on customer insights
Customer Complaint Resolution Answer technical queries of customers in a structured and comprehensive manner according to defined standards with continuous response to customers Analyze and interpret results to solve customer issues Manage customer complaints with tracking and management of communication to appropriate levels through resolution of customer quality complaints Ensure timely closure of quality-related complaints 100% resolution of customer quality complaints Customer feedback on resolution of complaints Timely escalation and communication tracking
Team Development Training and mentoring of subordinates for business continuity and support Ensure own skills are maintained at the highest level including: Understanding of quality requirements through all technical processes Participation in HR mentorship programs Engagement with direct team members through mentoring, coaching and communications 360-degree score of 8 or higher on a 10-point scale Mentor/mentee matching scores Team capability development metrics
Education: B.Tech / B.E. in Chemical Engineering
Experience: 15–20 years in Business Development, Technical Services, R&D, or Technical Sales & Product Application Expertise
Industry background: Carbon or Global Rubber Chemicals (direct, hands-on exposure)
Technical exposure: Direct experience with product/grade approvals, customer trials, or on-site technical troubleshooting in a B2B manufacturing/chemicals context
Travel readiness: Willing and able to travel extensively for customer visits (tire/rubber manufacturers)
Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Japanese proficiency

Work arrangement
No