The posting
Nippon Shokubai (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (NSA) is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead regional marketing and business development for Nippon Shokubai Group products in Southeast Asia and India. Paints and coatings will be one of NSA’s core marketing pillars and an important area for future growth. The role requires a rare combination of technical expertise, marketing capability and commercial experience, particularly in paints, coatings, adhesives, emulsion polymers, construction chemicals and related application technologies.
Job Description
- Lead the development and execution of NSA’s regional marketing strategy for Nippon Shokubai Group products in Southeast Asia and India, with paints and coatings positioned as one of the principal growth areas.
- Identify growth opportunities in paints, coatings and related applications through market research, competitor analysis, customer interviews and engagement with customers’ R&D, technical and procurement functions.
- Develop technically differentiated proposals by applying deep knowledge of emulsion products, coating formulations, surrounding raw materials and application technologies to customers’ performance, sustainability and cost requirements.
- Work closely with Nippon Shokubai’s R&D, marketing and sales organizations in Japan to translate key regional customers (ASEAN, India and Japan) needs into product development, technical evaluation, sample work and commercialization plans in line with the Group’s strategy.
- Lead new application exploration, market development and overseas business development projects, and manage a prioritized pipeline of opportunities across ASEAN and India from initial identification through customer evaluation and commercial readiness.
- Coordinate the handover of commercially qualified opportunities to Nippon Shokubai’s responsible sales organization, which will lead commercial negotiations and enter into sales contracts, while NSA continues to support regional customer and market development.
Job Requirements
- A minimum of 20 years of hands-on research and development experience in paints, adhesives, emulsion polymers, construction chemicals or related industries, gained at a globally listed chemical manufacturing company or its overseas subsidiaries.
- A minimum of 2 years of practical experience in the sales and development of products for paints, adhesives, emulsion polymers, construction chemicals or related applications, including customer proposals, technical discussions, product evaluation and application development. The successful candidate must have gained this experience within the last 2 years.
- A minimum of 5 years in a managerial role, leading cross-functional projects and coordinating effectively with R&D, marketing and sales teams in Japan and with customers across the region.
- Experience in overseas business expansion, market development or new market entry projects, together with sound knowledge of key customers, market structures, competitors, distribution channels and business practices in ASEAN and India.
- Demonstrated hands-on knowledge of resins, additives, related raw materials and formulation technologies used in paints, coatings, adhesives, emulsion polymers, construction chemicals or related applications.
- Business-level proficiency in written and spoken English and Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1 is required for technical and commercial discussions with key regional customers from ASEAN, India and Japan.
- Willingness to travel within ASEAN, India and Japan is required.
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