Building on a strong legacy of almost 150 years, we are leading the way to reimagine and improve life every day. Today and for generations to come. Through our innovative and sustainable brands and technologies, across our teams around the world.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: Our portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
Channel manager
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About this Position
This role is responsible for steering and driving the execution of the regional sales and channel excellence roadmap in Japan. You will translate global and regional frameworks into local action, ensuring strong channel discipline, sustainable growth, and strategic alignment across stakeholders.
As a key contributor to sales excellence, you will lead channel strategy development, accelerate digital growth, and drive continuous improvement across distribution and agent performance.
What you´ll do
- Channel Strategy & Execution Excellence: Drive regional implementation of channel frameworks, policies, and growthstrategies. Identify underexploited channel opportunities and ensure disciplined execution aligned with channel development targets. Continuously evaluate and optimize existing and potential channel partners.
- Sales Excellence & Strategic Projects: Lead and support strategic sales excellence initiatives (e.g., ACE and other regional programs). Critically review the effectiveness of product launches, promotions, and commercial activities to ensure continuous improvement in targeting and execution.
- Digital & eCommerce Acceleration: Drive the implementation of global and regional eCommerce strategies in Japan, integrating digital platforms with traditional sales channels to maximize reach and revenue impact.
- Market & Pricing Alignment: Work closely with the pricing team to ensure regional price alignment and competitiveness. Maintain a strong understanding of market developments, competitor dynamics, and product knowledge to inform commercial decisions.
- Stakeholder & Distribution Management: Align with global and regional sales/channel excellence teams on roll-outs and shared distributor strategies. Sponsor or manage key distribution accounts as required and collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective execution.
- Team Leadership & Market Engagement: Lead and develop a team of four members, providing direction, coaching, and performance oversight. Travel regularly within the market to maintain close engagement with agents and customers and strengthen business partnerships.
What makes you a good fit
Must have
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
- Native Japanese, fluent in English for global communication
- 7–10 years of experience in channel management, sales excellence, or business development
- Strong strategic, analytical, and structured thinking capabilities
- Experience driving regional initiatives within a multinational environment preferred
- Leadership potential with team management experience
Nice to have
- Experience in a global company
- Chinese language skills (beneficial for regional collaboration)
- Exposure to consumer business and e-commerce channels
- Multi-category pricing and go-to-market experience
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Retirement Pension Plan (Corporate DC and CB composition)
- Sick Leave
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Supplementary Workers' Accident Insurance
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different genders, origins, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, and generations.
JOB ID: 26091830
Job Locations: Japan, Kanagawa-Ken, Yokohama
Contact information for application-related questions: recruitment.jp@henkel.com
Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application
Job-Center: If you have an application already, you can create or log in to your account here to check the status of your application. In case of new account creation, please use your email address that you applied with.
About Henkel
FAQ
I am interested in several jobs. Can I apply for multiple positions at the same time?
Yes – simply fill out your profile in our online application system. Once your online profile is complete, you can apply for multiple positions.
The job offer is written in English – should I write my application in English as well?
Yes, please. As Henkel is an international company you will be working with colleagues from all over the world and English is our official company language. Generally, the ‘rule’ is: please write the application in the same language as the job ad.
Do I get feedback during the application process about the state of my application?
Each position that we have open with Henkel is unique, and finding the right candidate is important for both the hired candidate as well as for Henkel. We want to make sure that both the candidate and the company are a good fit for each other. We will provide feedback to the candidates throughout the entire process.
Can employees move between business areas and/or to a different country?
Yes, in fact it is an expectation within Henkel that our talent is flexible and mobile. This helps to support the company on a broad, global level.
Our “Triple Two” philosophy promotes this expectation, by allowing you to work in at least two different roles, in two different business areas and two different countries. The reason behind this philosophy is that we believe working in different roles, business units and functions is good for your personal development and improves your understanding of Henkel as a global company.
Here you will get further information on our training programs.
Whom do I contact if I have questions concerning my application?
Our recruiting team will help you with all requests regarding your application. Contact the team here.