Deputy Managing Director

As a member of the Kokubu Group, San Sesan Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-based food wholesale trading company specializing in the import and distribution of premium food products and ingredients. The company serves Japanese and local retail chains, supermarkets, and food service operators in Singapore and the broader ASEAN region. As part of its growth strategy, the company is expanding its cross-border trade network to strengthen supply chain partnerships between Japan and Southeast Asia.

We are seeking a Deputy Managing Director to support the Managing Director in the overall strategic leadership and operational management of the company. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving business development across import/export operations, deepening trade relationships with Japanese suppliers and regional buyers, and ensuring sustainable revenue growth. This role requires hands-on involvement in formulating and executing mid- to long-term business strategies, managing key supplier and customer accounts, and providing leadership across commercial, procurement, and operational functions.

Job Description

1. Assist and provide appropriate reporting to the Managing Director in formulating and executing short-, mid-, and long-term business strategies for the company, including market expansion plans, revenue growth initiatives, and operational improvement programs, with full accountability for translating strategic objectives into actionable business plans and measurable performance outcomes across all commercial functions.
2. Lead and oversee the company's import and export operations, with a particular emphasis on sourcing and procuring premium food products and ingredients from Japanese production regions (especially Hokkaido), managing end-to-end supply chain logistics including regulatory compliance, cold chain management, customs documentation, and quality assurance to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery to customers across Singapore and the ASEAN region.
3. Develop and strengthen strategic business relationships with Japanese food manufacturers, agricultural cooperatives, and regional producers, as well as with Japanese retail chains, supermarkets, and food service operators in Singapore, through tailored product proposals, joint merchandising initiatives, trade fair participation, and ongoing account management to maximize mutual business value.
4. Drive new market development and business expansion initiatives across Southeast Asia and other international markets by identifying emerging trade opportunities, conducting market research and feasibility assessments, establishing new distribution channels, and negotiating commercial partnerships to diversify the company's product portfolio and geographic footprint.
5. Provide overall management oversight of daily business operations, including supervising the sales, operation, procurement, logistics, and administrative teams, monitoring financial performance against budgets and forecasts, preparing management reports and business analyses for the Managing Director and stakeholders, and ensuring full compliance with Singapore's food safety regulations, import/export requirements, and corporate governance standards.
6. Serve as the primary liaison between the Singapore office and the sales departments of the Japanese headquarters, ensuring alignment of global sales strategies with local market conditions. Responsibilities include sharing actionable market intelligence on consumer trends, competitive dynamics, and distribution opportunities in Singapore and the ASEAN region, coordinating joint sales initiatives and promotional campaigns, and identifying and maximizing cross-border business synergies to drive mutual growth between Japan and Singapore operations.

Job Requirements

1. More than 15 years of progressive experience in the food wholesale trade or food distribution industry, with at least 5 years in a senior management/ deputy general management capacity or in a role directly supporting such positions, overseeing cross-functional teams including sales, procurement, logistics, and business development. Demonstrated track record of P&L management and achievement of revenue and profitability targets. Successful candidate is required to have worked in a food wholesale company within the last three years.
2. Minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in international food trade operations, specifically involving the sourcing, procurement, and distribution of food products and ingredients originating from Japanese production regions, with particular emphasis on Hokkaido. Practical knowledge of Japanese food supply chains, including agricultural cooperatives, regional producers, cold chain logistics, import/export documentation, and food safety regulatory requirements (e.g., SFA regulations in Singapore, HACCP, JAS standards) is essential. This position is expected to provide appropriate direction based on a thorough understanding of the wide variety of products handled by the company, including processed foods, liquor, fresh fish, fruits and vegetables.
3. Proven experience in formulating and executing mid- to long-term business strategies, including market expansion planning, new business development, and cross-border trade network building across multiple international markets (preferably including Southeast Asia, East Asia, and other regions). The candidate must demonstrate the ability to conduct market feasibility assessments, identify new distribution channels, and negotiate commercial partnerships independently.
4. High proficiency in both written and spoken English is required for business communication with local customers, regulatory authorities, and regional stakeholders. Fluency in Japanese (JLPT N1 pr equivalent) is required for this role, as the position involves daily coordination with Japanese-speaking suppliers, manufacturers, and headquarters personnel, as well as leading negotiations and managing key accounts conducted primarily in Japanese.
5. Bachelor's degree or above in Business Administration, International Trade, International Studies, Food Science, Agriculture, Economics, or a related discipline.
6. Minimum of 3 years of experience in a management or leadership role within a food trading or food wholesale company, with direct involvement in supervising and mentoring team members, setting departmental KPIs, and reporting to senior executives or board-level management. Experience in managing overseas business operations or international subsidiaries is highly preferred.
7. Strong understanding of financial management principles as applied to food wholesale trade operations, including the ability to analyze financial statements, manage budgets and cash flow forecasts, evaluate cost structures across multi-country supply chains, and present data-driven business proposals and performance reports to senior management and external stakeholders.
8. Willingness to travel frequently to Japan and other Asian countries (typically two to four times per month) to manage supplier relationships, attend trade exhibitions, conduct procurement activities, and support business development initiatives across the region.