Director

As the regional headquarters of the Kokubu Group in Southeast Asia, Kokubu Singapore Pte. Ltd. oversees and supports the Group's network of companies across the ASEAN region, most of which operate as joint ventures with local partners. Building on the Group's heritage in food wholesale and distribution, the company drives regional business expansion, cross-border trade, and the development of its logistics and supply-chain platform between Japan and Southeast Asia.

We are seeking a Director to lead the strategic and operational management of the Group's ASEAN business. Reporting to the Japan Headquarters, the successful candidate will take full responsibility for the regional oversight of ASEAN group companies, drive M&A and business expansion, strengthen joint-venture partnerships, and provide specialized leadership to the Group's logistics operations, ensuring sustainable and stable growth across the region.

Job Description

1. ASEAN Regional Management & Subsidiary Oversight

Act as the Regional Head for the ASEAN market, taking full responsibility for the financial, administrative, and corporate management of all ASEAN group companies. Additionally, directly supervise and govern the two subsidiaries located in Singapore to ensure operational compliance and efficiency.

2. Joint Venture Partner Relations & Cooperation

Foster strong, collaborative relationships with local joint venture partners across the region. Given that most of ASEAN group companies are joint ventures, building trust and ensuring mutual cooperation with these partners is an essential element for our continued business success.

3. Long-Term Management Planning & Financial Soundness

Based on a thorough understanding of the Japan HQ's medium- to long-term management plan, formulate and drive the long-term management plan for the Kokubu Group's ASEAN business together with the Managing Director. Ensure that the company and its group companies maintain a sound financial structure, and provide appropriate reporting and explanations to the Japan HQ as required.

4. M&A Execution & Strategic Expansion

Lead and execute Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) strategies to drive regional business expansion, identify new growth opportunities, and strengthen the company's overall market position in the ASEAN region.

5. Specialized Logistics Advisory & Business Improvement

Leverage deep industry expertise to provide specialized logistics advisory to the logistics business subsidiaries within the ASEAN group. Work closely with them to implement strategies aimed at continuous business improvement and operational optimization.

6. Logistics DX & Regional Performance Management

Drive Logistics Digital Transformation (DX) across the ASEAN group companies by developing KPI management platforms and visualizing overseas logistics data. Take responsibility for the performance management of the regional logistics operations, improving profitability and service quality, and lead the structural reorganization and optimization of logistics hubs to support sustainable regional growth.

7. Japan Headquarters Liaison, Governance & Executive Hosting

Serve as the primary liaison with the Japan Headquarters, responding to all requests and ensuring structural alignment. Responsibilities include submitting required reports timely, attending key decision-making meetings (e.g., Management Board), executing e-workflow approval processes, and fully supporting HQ-led internal audits. Furthermore, you will host and attend to executives visiting Singapore from the Japan HQ.

8. Talent Development & Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing

Drive talent development and knowledge transfer across the region. Train and educate local employees at the Singapore and ASEAN group companies on the latest Japanese and global market trends, while conveying up-to-date ASEAN market insights to the Japan HQ and its employees. Provide relocation support to expatriates newly assigned to Singapore and coach them on the fundamentals of operating a business in the local market.

Job Requirements

1. Extensive Logistics Leadership Experience in 3PL Business

Minimum of 15 years of continuous, hands-on experience in the logistics and supply chain industry. The candidate must have a proven track record of spearheading 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) business development, facility design and launches, and implementing advanced logistics systems (WMS/TMS) specifically tailored for the retail and manufacturing sectors. This experience must span both the 3PL service-provider side and the shipper / corporate-headquarters side of a multinational group (with cross-border HQ coordination), demonstrating an integrated understanding of both service delivery and business-owner requirements across borders.

2. ASEAN Executive Management & Large-Scale Investment Execution

Demonstrated executive-level management experience (General Manager or equivalent) at an overseas subsidiary within the ASEAN region. The candidate must have comprehensively managed budget and business strategies, and possess a verified history of leading large-scale capital investments of approximately 30 million SGD, particularly in specialized sectors such as cold chain operations. In this capacity, the candidate must also have developed local talent and led multinational teams, driving training and knowledge transfer between the Overseas HQ and local employees.

3. Global Logistics Digital Transformation (DX) & KPI Management

Deep, practical expertise in driving Global Logistics Digital Transformation (DX). Must have concrete experience at a corporate headquarters level in developing KPI management platforms, visualizing overseas logistics data, and structurally reorganizing international export and logistics hubs to improve profitability.

4. Japan HQ Governance & Cross-Border Strategic Planning

Extensive experience interfacing with a Japanese corporate headquarters, driving strategic alignment and ensuring strict compliance. The candidate must be highly proficient in navigating Japanese corporate governance structures and executing cross-border logistics projects for foreign-affiliated companies. The candidate must also have a proven ability to formulate medium- to long-term management and investment plans and to ensure a sound financial structure for the operations under their responsibility.

5. Practical Bilingual Proficiency & Executive Stakeholder Management

Advanced business-level English is essential, as the role conducts complex management and strategy discussions with local joint-venture partners in English. Japanese-language ability is an added advantage, as it supports day-to-day communication with the Group's Head Office. Exceptional cross-cultural communication skills are also necessary to seamlessly build consensus among regional stakeholders and host visiting executives from the Japan HQ.

6. Food & Cold-Chain Logistics Domain Experience

At least 10 years experience in the food / FMCG supply chain, cold-chain / temperature-controlled logistics, or in logistics serving the food wholesale / distribution sector.