NPI Manager, mgmt.
Why BAT Japan
Japan is a lead market for our smokeless portfolio — launches here are watched globally and decided locally.
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A market-leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
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Health cover, transport support and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
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English and Japanese language training available
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A published capability framework for every role and grade — so you know precisely what the next grade requires, not just that progression exists — plus online learning and structured leadership programmes
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Global Top Employer for the ninth consecutive year — certified across five regions and a record 44 countries
Tokyo, Japan · Full-time · Manager
New products only matter once they reach a shelf. This is the job that gets them there.
BAT is a global multi-category consumer goods business, and we are in the middle of the biggest change in our history. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™, with a vision to build a smokeless world. As at 31 December 2025 we had 34.1m consumers of Smokeless Products, and those products accounted for 18.2% of Group revenue. Our ambition is 50m Smokeless consumers by 2030, and 50% of revenue from Non-Combustibles by 2035. That transformation is built one launch at a time — and in Japan, you would be the person running them.
The role
You own the deployment of new product introductions in Japan from end to end: the plan, the readiness, the risks, and the date the product is actually available. You sit between Product Development, Supply Chain, Quality and Commercial, and you are the person who tells the business what is happening, what is at risk, and what needs deciding this week.
What you'll own
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The end-to-end launch plan for each new product in Japan, through to on-time, in-full delivery
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The single source of truth on launch status — milestones, dependencies and decisions needed — visible from the project team up to the leadership team
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The risk picture: spotting what will slip before it slips, and landing the fix
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Delivery across Product Development, Supply Chain, Quality and Commercial — none of whom report to you, so influence is the job
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The trade-off calls when timing, cost and scope collide — and the reasoning behind them
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How BAT Japan runs launches, so the next one is easier than the last
What you'll bring
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A working understanding of how a supply chain behaves under pressure, not just on a process map
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The credibility to influence across levels and functions without owning the org chart
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Clear, direct communication — you will brief senior stakeholders regularly, in writing and in the room
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Composure when timelines are tight and priorities compete
Qualifications
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Real project management experience in fast-moving consumer goods, supply chain, or a comparable multi-product environment
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This role is delivered in English. Japanese is welcome, but not required.
Whoever you are and wherever you're from, you can belong here — many nationalities, ages, genders and professional backgrounds, supported by Women in Leadership and B-United, our LGBTQ+ and allies network. Our Global Returners programme supports people restarting after time away from work. Need an adjustment during the process? Just tell us.