Deputy General Manager

Company Overview

MITSUI & CO. (ASIA PACIFIC) PTE. LTD. is a regional subsidiary specializing in investment management and business development across Asia Pacific, driving strategic growth and enhancing portfolio value.

Job Summary

Act as deputy to the General Manager to lead investment management across Asia Pacific, driving strategic business planning, portfolio oversight, governance, and team development to maximize returns and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in managing investment functions across Asia Pacific, including business planning, budget oversight, governance, and team development to ensure operational excellence.
• Evaluate new investments, acquisitions, exits and divestments by analyzing strategic alignment, profitability, feasibility, risk and execution readiness, while providing balanced support for both business promotion and corporate oversight.
• Engage early in new investment opportunities and business schemes to improve portfolio quality by aligning Asia Pacific Business Unit strategy with the strategies and investment criteria of Head Office business units and corporate functions.
• Lead value enhancement initiatives for invested assets, including post-merger integration and turnaround situations, by identifying issues that may hinder achievement of approved Ringi plans, defining and visualizing management KPIs in alignment with portfolio company management, conducting risk analysis, formulating action plans and monitoring progress.
• Review and improve Asia Pacific-wide Ringi governance and processes by updating rules, enhancing HQ-based workflow systems, leveraging Ringi data, and promoting digital and AI-enabled improvements to reduce inquiries and response times while maintaining internal controls.
• Lead, with strong ownership and initiative, the annual Asset Portfolio Review process covering over 50 investment projects, reporting to Head Office Portfolio Management Division.
• Plan and deliver Ringi approval process training in collaboration with Human Resources to enhance team capabilities.
• Strengthen the Extended-Investment Management network through meetings of Ringi and investment-management representatives and knowledge-sharing activities to promote autonomy and cross-country collaboration for investments, middle-game management, and turnarounds.
• Coach team members, transfer knowledge, and contribute to organizational development and culture-building under the AP-CSO line to ensure stable and consistent delivery.

Required competencies and certifications

• Commitment to compliance, integrity, sound governance, and objective decision-making to uphold corporate standards.
• Ability to deputize for the General Manager and lead cross-functional and cross-country initiatives while prioritizing multiple tasks and communicating effectively with senior management and stakeholders.
• Substantial experience in business investment, M&A, portfolio management, post-merger integration, and business turnaround, including early-stage investment and exit reviews.
• Strong skills in corporate finance, accounting, valuation, financial modeling, and quantitative analysis to assess strategy, profitability, feasibility, risk/return, and execution plans.
• Practical experience supporting portfolio companies through KPI design, management accounting, risk analysis, action planning, and performance monitoring.
• Knowledge of internal approval and Ringi processes, internal controls, and investment governance to advise business divisions and improve workflows and operating processes.
• Ability to use digital and AI tools to enhance productivity, reduce response times, standardize quality, and utilize workflow data effectively.
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, documentation, presentation, and training skills in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to travel within the Asia Pacific region as required.
• Proficiency in business-level English and advanced Japanese communication skills to coordinate with Asia Pacific offices and Head Office stakeholders and review internal materials, supporting effective cross-regional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to coach team members, build regional networks, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote organizational autonomy and collaboration.

Preferred competencies and qualifications

• Advanced knowledge and minimum 10 years experience in business investment, M&A, valuation, financial modelling, due diligence, PMI, value enhancement, turnaround, and exit/divestment support in Japan, US, and Asia Pacific countries.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in strategic alignment, investment screening, internal control, Ringi/internal approval processes, risk analysis, and executive reporting.
• Expertise in KPI setting and visualization, management accounting, business-plan monitoring, issue identification, and action-plan execution.
• Advanced communication skills in Japanese and English to collaborate with business divisions and investee company management.
• Experience in process redesign, workflow-system enhancement, data utilization, AI/digital tools, and productivity improvement.
• Proven leadership and collaboration skills including deputy-GM capability, cross-functional and cross-country coordination, stakeholder management, negotiation, coaching, training, and knowledge sharing.
• High-quality written and verbal English and advanced Japanese skills for coordination with Head Office and regional stakeholders.
• Work experience at a major Japanese trading company or a similarly complex multinational organization, with a minimum of 5 years strongly preferred.