Retail Country Manager - Japan

What You'll Do

• Own Japan P&L: deliver top-line growth and path to profitability across retail, wholesale, and digital channels
• Lead retail expansion: open doors annually, optimize existing store portfolio
• Build high-performing team: recruit and develop Area Managers, Store Managers, and HQ support functions
• Strengthen brand positioning: localize global brand narrative, drive customer acquisition and LTV in Japan's competitive footwear market
• Manage key stakeholder relationships: landlords, department stores, local media, and KOLs
• Serve as primary liaison to global HQ: align Japan priorities with company-wide strategy, secure resources and support

Who You Are

• 15+ years retail leadership in Japan, with proven track record scaling brands from investment phase to profitability
• Experience managing 20+ store networks and annual revenue of JPY 50B+
• Strong commercial acumen: pricing, inventory, margin management, and multi-channel P&L ownership
• Established network in Tokyo/Osaka retail real estate and department store channels
• Strategic mindset with ability to articulate 3-year vision while executing quarterly priorities
• Fluent Japanese and business-level English; Mandarin a plus
• Entrepreneurial drive: comfortable with ambiguity, resourceful in lean organization.
• Year 1: stabilize existing store performance, open 2–3 profitable new locations, build core team
• Year 2: achieve positive operating profit, establish repeatable store model, expand to 15+ doors
• Year 3: position Japan as an APAC hub, explore wholesale and digital growth vectors
• Competitive package aligned with stage and performance, including base + bonus + equity component.
• AI Empowerment: Access to cutting-edge AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT Plus, Midjourney, Manus) and continuous AI training to boost your efficiency and
• keep you at the forefront of the industry.