Strategist / Specialist / Business Development / Bilingual Japanese

About the role

Large International Manufacturer is seeking a Strategist / Specialist to support new business development activities in the Americas. This role will focus on identifying and evaluating new technologies, conducting market and feasibility studies, supporting collaboration with partners and startups, and coordinating closely with global headquarters. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, and comfortable working in a cross-border, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• New Business Development
  • Evaluate technology matching and market opportunities through feasibility studies (FS), including preliminary experiments, research, and frequent discussions with partners, potential customers, and industry experts (KOLs).
  • Support decision-making for joint R&D and collaboration projects.
  • Identify and source potential startups and partners using databases, venture capital networks, industry events, exhibitions, and other resources.
  • Collaborate closely with headquarters in Japan to identify potential collaboration partners and business opportunities.
• Reporting & Communication
  • Prepare meeting minutes for all partner discussions and provide updates as needed.
  • Create monthly reports summarizing project progress, partner discussions, and business development activities.
  • Communicate findings, updates, and recommendations clearly to management in a timely manner.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Support internal coordination across departments as needed.
  • Participate in limited business travel (approximately 1–2 days per month).
  • Perform other business development–related tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in business development, strategy, consulting, technology evaluation, or related fields.
• Chemical or manufacturing industry experience is a plus, but not required.
• Japanese language ability is a plus, particularly for coordination with headquarters.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt in a demanding environment.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong planning, organizational, and time management abilities; capable of multitasking and meeting deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail and self-initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills; a confident, professional "people person."
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Schedule & Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
• Minimal business travel required (approximately 1–2 days per month).
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate fluently in English.

Pay

80 to 100K

Location

San Jose, CA