Managing Director
IMAGR, Japan
Job Description
Who are we?
We’re Imagr and we’re leading the charge in creating superpowered automated retail technology with our end-to-end, AI powered checkout solution. Our goal is to revolutionise modern retail and make life easier for everyday people - with no checkouts and no queues.
How does this role fit in?
Your role delivers impact by taking ownership over our presence in Japan. This involves leading and managing the Japan team’s operations, including the growth of the Imagr brand, the efficiency and profitability of the regional business, mentoring and managing the regional team, and overseeing and growing both existing client relationships and new business initiatives.
In this role, your day and responsibilities may look like any of the following:
General Leadership:
- Work closely with the wider leadership team to set the direction for Imagr Japan, owning the strategy, driving the growth and clearly communicating this vision and execution back to the team
- Be the face of Imagr Japan, foster close relationships with our customers and key stakeholders and lead the Sales and Project teams to grow our sales pipeline
- Take responsibility for the regional Pamp;L, forecasting, compliance and board reporting
- Experience building relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners and customers by your ability to communicate with integrity, passion and genuinity
- Develop and cultivate highly aligned and productive relationships with the Japan team, and with key contacts at HQ in New Zealand
People Leadership:
- Direct and build the growth of the regional sales function, working closely with the sales team in HQ and other regions to align and strategise.
- Build and drive the intentional integration of Imagr’s culture and values into the Osaka office (and future locations in Japan as we expand).
- Actively promote diversity of ideas, backgrounds and perspectives, and encourage open communication, fairness and respect.
- Mentor and develop the regional teams, foster a highly supportive culture of growth, high performance, innovation and continued learning.
- Work with HQ to develop strategic, efficient resource planning, recruitment and onboarding processes to build and grow the team.
Operations, Business Development amp; Strategy:
- Develop a strong understanding of the market and technological landscape in Japan, our key customers and partners and identify trends, gaps and opportunities.
- Identify opportunities in the market and within the business to scale, improve efficiency and innovate, pursue opportunities for global leverage.
- Understand and apply customer insights and analyses and use them to drive change.
- Run a proof of concept, demo or launch, working collaboratively with departments within Imagr to support the launch and execution of new programmes and initiatives to engage with potential and existing retail partners globally
- Drive revenue growth by establishing, building and managing retail partnerships, long-term customer relationships, and developing key business relationships
- Take the lead on assigned collaborations, serving as the liaison between potential and current retailer partnerships and Imagr, providing management and/or business development support as required
- Drive regular communication between Imagr and local retail partners, keeping them up to date with progress, launch plans, benefits of using our product, etc.,
- Work with Imagr’s product operations and launch teams to assist in the creation and iteration of GTM retail partner playbooks to scale Imagr’s solution across multiple stores and retail chains
- Drive and attend relevant retail events, meet-ups and other in-person meetings, acting as an evangelist for Imagr
- Work across multiple accounts to ensure that product and operations teams are armed with relevant information to generalise the product
- Involvement in other special projects and travel as required
- Support and maintain a company culture that embodies the Imagr values
- Facilitate clear and collaborative communication across Imagr
Plus stepping outside of your role when needed and contributing as part of the wider Imagr team to achieve organisational objectives.
Key experience, education, attributes and skills:
- Experience in a management role or similar ideally in a high growth company, and you’re ready to take the next step in your career!
- Located in Osaka (or willing to relocate)
- Impeccably fluent in Japanese and English
- Background in enterprise sales or customer success, with a proven ability to build, grow and maintain complex customer relationships
- Ability to review and negotiate contractual agreemen