Solution Manager - Data & Analytics

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

BAT is evolving at pace - truly like no other organisation.

To achieve the ambition, we have set for ourselves, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to live our ethos every day. Come be a part of this journey!

BAT JapanIS LOOKING FOR A Solution Manager - Data & Analytics

SENIORITY LEVEL: Manager

FUNCTION: Digital Business Solutions

LOCATION: Tokyo, Japan

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Solution Manager – Data & Analytics is a pivotal role in BAT’s digital and AI transformation. You will lead a team of data scientists, data engineers, and BI engineers to design, develop, and continuously enhance high-quality Data & Analytics (D&A) products. As the primary interface between business stakeholders and the development team, you will hold end-to-end ownership across all responsible workstreams, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and through proper work breakdown structures that protect team wellbeing.

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the single point of contact for D&A across both the Direct Reporting Business Units (DRBU) top team and global D&A teams for responsible products and services.
• Act as a D&A evangelist, building senior stakeholder understanding and buy-in (e.g. Insights & Foresights, Commercial) and demonstrating how analytics directly drives DRBU P&L and business objectives.
• Evaluate inbound business requirements from stakeholders (e.g. Marketing, Commercial, Finance), ensuring they are translated into actionable, high-value use cases that connect to the business values and follow the standard governance.

Product Ownership & Delivery

• Hold E2E ownership of D&A products for the DRBU, including product design, development, release, and lifecycle management.
• Bridge business objectives with the latest D&A and AI capabilities to ensure solutions deliver measurable business value.
• Lead the land of DRBU D&A roadmap in collaboration with key stakeholders (e.g. Activation, SPI, Trade teams), defining and prioritising a structured backlog of use cases.
• Resolve delivery impediments by working closely with the D&A hub and global technical delivery teams.
• Track and report on investment and benefits realisation at the DRBU level, covering business value, solution spend, and ROI, etc.
• Drive adoption and usage of D&A tools across the DRBU, supporting citizen data analysts in generating insights either directly or through collaboration with DBS and Regional D&A teams.

Technical Bridge & Quality Control

• Act as the technical bridge for global programmes, proactively identifying local integration risks that support global discovery phases.
• Ensure DRBU data governance standards are in place across all data assets and that all products are compliant by design with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g. Japan's APPI, Korea's PIPA).
• Lead and govern the operating model for the DRBU, setting, measuring, and reporting on D&A KPIs.

Team & Vendor Management

• Manage the quality of output from offshore partners and internal dotted-line reports, ensuring workload balance and preventing burnout through clear work breakdown structures.
• Coordinate, prioritise, and manage DRBU demand for D&A solutions in alignment on delivery approach with the D&A hub

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Proven track record in product ownership, operating with a 'strategic partner' mindset rather than a 'service provider' approach, and able to interpret business and functional strategies and understand cross-functional implications.
• Business-facing D&A experience in a multiculture environment with the capability to land business value-adding, technology‑enabled data solutions. Experience in Trade Marketing & Distribution is a plus.
• Demonstrated assertiveness in managing stakeholders, including the confidence to depioritize non-strategic requests and maintain governance.
• At least 4 years of experience developing and leading Data & Analytics / BI systems, with proficiency in SQL, Power BI, Python or R, data‑modelling, Data Lake architectures, and the Microsoft D&A stack. Knowledge of Java or JavaScript/Node.js is a plus.
• Solid understanding of data governance, data privacy standards (e.g. Japan's APPI, Korea's PIPA), and compliance-by-design principles.
• At least 2 years of experience leading a D&A team, with the ability to translate business questions into clear technical specifications to minimise rework and late-stage requirement changes.
• Experience using project management tools (e.g. Asana) to collaborate complex, multi-market roadmaps and resource allocation.
• Strong operational discipline, with the ability to understand Group operating‑model implications and balance delivery timelines against capacity.
• Language: English – fluent, Japanese, Korean or Chinese is a plus

WE ARE BAT

At BAT we are committed to our Purpose of creating A Better Tomorrow. This is what drives our people and our passion for innovation. See what is possible for you at BAT.

• Global Top Employer with 53,000 BAT people across more than 180 markets
• Brands sold in over 200 markets, made in 44 factories in 42 countries
• Newly established Tech Hubs building world-class capabilities for innovation in 4 strategic locations
• Diversity leader in the Financial Times and International Women’s Day Best Practice winner
• Seal Award winner – one of 50 most sustainable companies

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER

Collaboration, diversity and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture).

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.