Office Manager

Job Summary

S-VANCE USA is seeking a highly skilled and versatile Office Manager to serve as the functional lead for our U.S. operations. This role functions as a strategic "right-hand" to the executive management team, requiring a comprehensive generalist who can bridge the gap between business management, finance, technical sales engineering, and human resources. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the mold manufacturing industry and the ability to manage everything from high-level mid-term planning to hands-on technical troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Management & Finance

• Lead the development of mid-term business plans (annually in February) and annual budget formulations (annually in March).
• Manage BS, PL, and CF statements, including forecasting and reporting monthly, quarterly, and annual results.
• Oversee short-term cash flow, manage local funds in coordination with the Japan headquarters, and handle invoicing and accounts receivable collection.
• Monitor SG&A expenses and manage production costs to ensure they remain within original budget estimates.

2. Human Resources, Labor & Legal

• Manage the organization based on the Employee Handbook and applicable labor laws.
• Negotiate with vendors for medical, dental, and vision insurance renewals and manage the 401(k) retirement plan.
• Conduct legal reviews of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and Master Purchase Agreements in coordination with external counsel.
• Lead the end-to-end hiring process, from drafting job descriptions to sourcing candidates via LinkedIn and conducting interviews.

3. Sales Engineering & Technical Support

• Act as a Sales Engineer by utilizing CAD software to verify product and mold data.
• Create strategic quotes for new molds and engineering changes (ECI), balancing USD/JPY currency fluctuations.
• Attend molding trials, conduct on-site mold inspections (investigating issues like parting line issues or galling), and perform basic maintenance such as mold polishing and cleaning.

4. Logistics & Infrastructure

• Manage door-to-door international shipping schedules to ensure strict adherence to customer delivery deadlines.
• Oversee PC assets and security software in coordination with the IT department in Japan.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements (MUST)

• 5+ years of professional experience in the mold manufacturing industry (injection molds).
• Prior experience in sales or technical roles within the U.S. market.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).

Preferred Qualifications (WANT)

• Proficiency in Japanese (reading, writing, and speaking).
• Professional experience dealing with the Japanese mold industry.
• Experience living or working in Japan.

Key Competencies

• Problem Solving: Ability to systematically understand and resolve complex issues to achieve sales and profit targets.
• Crisis Management: Capability to handle delivery disruptions or sudden mold failures with a "customer-first" mindset and decisive action.
• Vendor Management: Strong negotiation skills to manage mold makers, insurance brokers, and logistics providers regarding both cost and quality.
• Intercultural Communication: Ability to translate Japanese organizational nuances into clear, quantitative instructions for the U.S. team.