Sr. Business Development Specialist

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions.

Yazaki works with virtually every major auto manufacturer in the world, and we've strived to maintain strategic and stable growth throughout our 83-year history. Today, we're on the lookout for energetic people with the potential to perform, as well as the ability to strengthen - and thrive in - the positive work environment we pride ourselves on.

Location: Canton, MI, USA

What we are looking for:

Yazaki is looking for a Sr. Business Development Specialist to join our SHOSHA Strategy team in Canton, Michigan. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a collaborative and action-driven environment making lasting impacts on the organization.

What you will be doing:

This position is responsible for supporting the deployment of the SHOSHA-concept for Yazaki North America enabling our customer business groups to evaluate new product and service opportunities that are outside Yazaki’s traditional business. This role will partner with peers across business and functional groups to determine whether the new business opportunity is in alignment with the direction of our corporate strategy as well as the feasibility of investment and resources. The person in this role will also work with their leader to review how to leverage current processes and/or design new processes to ensure expedient turnaround and response time to potential business prospects.

• Support and educate organization on Shosha concept and mindset through the proposal and execution of a new business model to support innovation and business optimization.
• Review current business processes across functions to determine how they can be leveraged in the new model.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance and/or modify processes to support the new model.
• Restructure value chains from upstream to downstream and apply existing value chains to other businesses.
• Evaluate investment opportunities against industry trends and YNCA corporate strategy through financial and SWOT analysis.
• Evaluate investment opportunities against industry trends and YNCA corporate strategy through financial and SWOT analysis.
• Foster the growth and sustainability of various lines of products and services, supporting industry development by using various management resources to conduct information analysis, material procurement, logistics, financing and talent development
• Determine and nurture internal and external partnerships the organization needs to support diversified and potentially complex business opportunities.
• Creates business plans, growth strategies, and business improvement plans for partnerships/investment projects by collaborating with relevant business groups
• Consider the knowledge, skills, abilities (KSA) as you complete this section.

What you will bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration; MBA or technical Master’s Degree would be a plus
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in business development, value chain mapping, process improvement, investment review, and operations management
• 10-15 years of overall business and project management experience
• Experience operating in Shosha environment to help build and deploy the concept internally within Yazaki
• High level influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Business level English language skills and intermediate Japanese language skills would be a plus
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and executing a stated vision or goal
• Business level proficiency in oral and written English and intermediate competency in Japanese language skills
• Proficiency using MS Office Suite products for project management, reporting and creating presentations
• Ability to anticipate the customer’s needs and seeing around corners
• A natural drive for results through tenacity, critical thinking and problem solving
• A willingness to flex some work hours
• Availability and ability to travel both domestically and internationally

What we can provide you:

• A collaborative learning environment that will help you reach your maximum potential
• A diverse team of experts
• Supportive leadership and team members to help you do your best work
• An engaging and supportive work culture
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including incentive compensation, 401K match, tuition assistance and a generous holiday schedule

Yazaki North America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, handicap, veteran status, or other legally protected status or characteristic. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship. Yazaki North America complies with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and strives to keep the workplace free from all forms of harassment.