Commercial Sales Director / Country Lead Japan
Company Overview
A globally recognized premium golf and lifestyle brand is seeking a Commercial Sales Director / Country Lead Japan to oversee and accelerate its business expansion across the Japanese market.
This position will lead the company’s commercial strategy and overall market operations in Japan, managing multiple revenue channels including Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Wholesale, and Retail. The role holds full P&L ownership and serves as a key member of the international leadership structure.
The organization is known for its premium positioning, strong brand identity, and rapid international growth within the sports and luxury consumer goods space.
Position Overview
The Commercial Sales Director / Country Lead Japan will be responsible for defining and executing the overall commercial and operational strategy for the Japan business.
This role requires a highly commercial leader capable of balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution while driving sustainable growth across retail, wholesale, e-commerce, and brand initiatives.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with global stakeholders while localizing strategies to fit the Japanese consumer and retail market.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute mid-to-long-term commercial strategies for the Japan market across DTC, Wholesale, and Retail channels
Identify market growth opportunities through analysis of consumer trends, competitive positioning, and retail dynamics
Strengthen brand awareness and market positioning within Japan
Lead and optimize all revenue-generating channels including:
E-commerce and digital sales
Wholesale partnerships and distribution
Owned retail stores and experiential retail formats
Drive retail excellence through customer experience improvements, operational management, and store performance optimization
Own full Japan P&L including budgeting, forecasting, investment allocation, and profitability management
Partner with international and local marketing teams on campaigns, product launches, and go-to-market initiatives
Ensure consistency of brand standards across all customer touchpoints
Recruit, develop, and manage high-performing commercial, retail, and marketing teams
Manage external agencies, business partners, and key stakeholders
Conduct market analysis and forecasting to support strategic business decisions
Monitor competitor activity and implement effective market response strategies
Required Qualifications
Senior leadership experience with full business ownership responsibilities
Proven success managing multi-channel businesses across DTC, Wholesale, and Retail
Strong commercial and operational leadership experience
Fluent communication skills in both Japanese and English
Strong stakeholder management and leadership capabilities
Strategic mindset combined with hands-on execution ability
Deep understanding of Japanese consumer behavior and retail market dynamics
Excellent communication, presentation, and decision-making skills
Entrepreneurial mindset with strong ownership and accountability
Preferred Background
Experience within golf, sports, premium consumer goods, fashion, or luxury industries preferred
Employment Details
Employment Type:
Full-time Permanent Employee
Location:
Japan
Travel Requirement:
Domestic travel approximately 20–30%
Periodic international travel to global headquarters required
Compensation
Competitive executive-level compensation package
Performance-based incentives and bonus structure expected
Final offer determined based on experience, leadership background, and market expertise
Key Attributes
Commercially driven and growth-oriented leadership style
Ability to influence stakeholders across local and global organizations
High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability
Strong organizational leadership and talent development capability
Ability to operate effectively in an international business environment