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!
JOB TITLE: Trade Systems Executive
FUNCTION: Commercial
SUB FUNCTION: Commercial Capability & Strategy
CITY & COUNTRY: Tokyo, Japan
What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?
Acting as the product owner for key platforms, the role must improve system usability, strengthen data quality, and drive high user adoption to support new ways of working across Trade and Field Force teams. The role is expected to deploy, enhance, and continuously optimize trade digital tools while ensuring they are fully embedded into commercial processes.
What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organization?
The role directly elevates commercial execution by enabling more efficient workflows, more consistent use of digital tools in the field and more accurate data management, by improving system reliability, adoption, and process integration, it enhances overall productivity, reduces operational risks, and accelerates the digital transformation of the commercial organization.
Reports to | Trade System Development Manager |
Number of Direct Reports | - |
Core Relationships | Internal –Commercial Function/Field Force/IT External – System vendors, data platform partners, and technical service providers |
Geographic Scope | Local |
Travel Required | N/A |
- Lead the planning and oversight of digital tool deployments, ensuring testing, release readiness, and rollout activities are properly coordinated across commercial and field teams.
- Drive the continuous improvement agenda for existing systems by steering feedback collection, prioritizing enhancements, and ensuring issues are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
- Champion user adoption and capability building, ensuring teams are equipped through structured training, coaching, and change‑management efforts to fully embed the tools into their daily routines.
- Oversee system performance, data accuracy, and operational reliability, proactively identifying risks and directing cross‑functional teams to implement corrective measures.
- Ensure digital tools are fully integrated into business processes by mapping workflows and embedding the right steps into daily operations.
- Act as the business product owner for key platforms, prioritizing feature requests, managing improvement backlogs, and validating new releases.
- Coordinate with internal technical teams and external vendors to deliver updates, resolve incidents, and maintain system stability.
- Provide governance and maintain standards by ensuring documentation, access management, and compliance with security and privacy requirements remain up to date and rigorously applied.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL
Experience Required
- 3–6 years total experience in Commercial/Trade/Sales Operations/Commercial Transformation roles.
- Hands-on experience with commercial system deployment and process enablement (pilot-to-scale, adoption, training, maintenance) within FMCG environment.
- Experience managing cross-functional stakeholders and vendors; managing backlogs and release cycles.
- Demonstrated ability to measure impact (adoption, data quality, commercial KPIs) and course correct.
Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required
- Strong understanding of digital tool deployment, including planning, testing, release readiness, and post‑launch support.
- Ability to integrate systems into business processes, with skills in workflow mapping, process alignment, and basic data flow understanding.
- Hands‑on experience improving system usability and adoption, including training delivery, issue resolution, and user engagement.
- Competence in monitoring system performance and data quality, identifying issues, and coordinating corrective actions with technical teams.
- Basic knowledge of data structures, such as outlet or customer master data, and how they connect across commercial systems.
- Experience coordinating with vendors and IT teams, managing updates, resolving incidents, and maintaining system stability.
- Product ownership skills, including backlog management, requirement definition, and validating enhancements or releases.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, enabling collaboration across commercial, field, and technical teams.
Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required
- Bachelor's degree in business, Information Systems, Data/Analytics, Engineering, or related.
- Advanced Japanese language proficiency & Upper-intermediate English language proficiency
- Solid technical literacy, including MS Office proficiency and working knowledge of digital toolsets, mobile applications, and introductory automation platforms
BENEFICIAL
- Experience in commercial digitization projects involving field force tools, geo‑mapping tools, CRM modules or retail engagement systems
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.
