Managing Director, Operations

• Location: Osaka, Japan

• Employment Type: Full-time executive position

• Reporting to: CEO and COO

• Compensation: Up to ¥19MM annually, based on experience and capability. Scalable to ¥50M annually on topline achievements.

We are seeking an experienced executive to lead company-wide operations and deliver this transformation. 

This is not a maintenance role. The Managing Director, Operations will be expected to strengthen leadership, improve execution, integrate departments, establish clear accountability, and build a scalable operating platform capable of supporting COVUE’s long-term growth. 

The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO, COO, department directors, and managers to translate company strategy into practical execution.

 

About COVUE

COVUE is an integrated Japan Market Entry and Operational Services company supporting international businesses entering, operating, and growing in Japan.

Our services include regulatory and compliance support, importation, logistics, warehousing, quality inspection, customer care, field service, depot repair, e-commerce operations, and commercial support.

COVUE is entering its next stage of growth. We are integrating our Japan Market Entry and CORE Services businesses into one unified operating organization: One COVUE.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of the Japan Market Entry and CORE Services businesses.
• Establish and execute the One COVUE operating model.
• Provide leadership across customer services, compliance, logistics, quality, technical services, field service, depot operations, and related operational functions.
• Develop department directors and managers into accountable business leaders.
• Improve cross-functional coordination, communication, and decision-making.
• Establish company-wide operating standards, KPIs, reporting, and governance.
• Review and improve organizational structures, workflows, and resource allocation.
• Lead operational budgeting, cost control, and performance management.
• Support sustainable revenue growth while targeting an average company gross margin of 35% or greater.
• Approve hiring, operational vendors, budgets, and organizational changes within delegated authority.
• Manage salary decisions within approved departmental and role-based compensation bands.
• Ensure customer needs, regulatory obligations, quality standards, and company policies are consistently met.
• Promote practical use of technology, automation, and AI to improve speed, accuracy, and scalability.
• Build succession plans and reduce dependency on individual employees or executives.

 

First-Year Priorities

• Complete a company-wide operational and leadership assessment.
• Develop and execute the One COVUE integration roadmap.
• Clarify departmental responsibilities, decision rights, and accountability.
• Strengthen performance management and operational reporting.
• Improve customer responsiveness and cross-functional execution.
• Build a stronger, more independent leadership team.
• Deliver measurable improvements in profitability, service quality, and operational efficiency.

 

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant senior leadership experience in Japan.
• Experience leading multi-department or cross-functional operations.
• A successful record of organizational integration, restructuring, transformation, or business scaling.
• Strong financial and commercial judgment.
• Experience managing budgets, margins, KPIs, and operational performance.
• The ability to develop directors and managers rather than personally control all decisions.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese business practices, employment culture, and corporate relationships.
• The confidence to challenge constructively, make decisions, and take ownership of results.
• Professional Japanese and English communication capability.
• Experience in regulated services, logistics, customer operations, technical services, outsourcing, or market-entry support is highly desirable.

 

Leadership Values

COVUE expects its executives to demonstrate:
Transparency | Speed | Teamwork | Customer First | Integrity

 

Compensation and Growth

The anticipated annual base salary is up to ¥19,000,000, depending on experience and demonstrated capability.

COVUE uses an Executive Value Growth Framework. Future compensation reviews are based on sustained company growth, profitability, operational improvement, leadership development, successful integration, and creation of long-term enterprise value.

---

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents via email

• English or Japanese résumé
• career history

• a brief explanation of your interest in the position