Type Approval Manager

Job Description

Work Arrangement This role is categorized as on-site. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to GM Japan Headquarter office in Tokyo, Japan full time.

The Role -

• Lead type approval and homologation activities for imported GM vehicles in Japan.
• Ensure all required approvals, certifications, recycling-related compliance requirements, and legal notifications are completed in time to support product launches and ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Act as GM Japan focal point for type approval and end-of-life related matters with internal stakeholders, global teams, and external authorities, operating with a high degree of autonomy.

What You’ll Do -

• Lead type approval and homologation activities for all imported GM products in Japan to support launch timing, Start of Sales, and ongoing compliance.
• Define homologation requirements with source plants and work directly with global certification, product, engineering, quality, and program teams to coordinate approval plans, submissions, documentation, and issue resolution.
• Represent GM Japan as the primary interface with MLIT/JMLIT, JAIA, and other relevant authorities and industry bodies on type approval, certification, recycling, and related regulatory matters.
• Independently manage required submissions and notifications related to vehicle approvals, running changes, organizational changes, and other matters affecting type approval or compliance status.
• Lead Japan end-of-life compliance activities, including recycle fee calculation and management, disassemble manual development, and related records management and publication requirements.
• Support source plant and VPC-related audits, completion inspection requirements, and sampling inspections as required for approval and compliance activities.
• Provide recommendations to the Product Director on type approval, recycling, and regulatory implications for launch strategy, timing, portfolio planning, and business risk.
• Monitor changes in Japanese automotive regulations, approval requirements, and recycling-related obligations, translate them into actionable business requirements for GM Japan, and drive necessary actions with limited supervision.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)​

• Minimum 10 years of experience in type approval, homologation, or vehicle certification within an automotive manufacturer; experience and background in an importer automotive company is highly preferable.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese automobile regulations, approval processes, recycling-related requirements, and the related regulatory framework.
• Good understanding of vehicle technical and engineering topics relevant to homologation, as well as the automotive retail environment in Japan.
• Ability to work autonomously and lead cross-functional coordination with local and global stakeholders.
• Business-level Japanese and English required, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate effectively on regulatory and technical matters.







About GM

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