The Director, Location Development (Japan Vending) leads the transformation of Japan’s vending machine placement strategy by modernizing the targeting model through big data and redesigning the Salesforce workflow for placement operations. This role will ensure the Vending team shifts from fragmented, manual processes to a fully data-driven, high-precision, and streamlined development engine that maximizes placement productivity and NSR growth in the Japan market. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Transform Vending Location Targeting Using Big Data

• Lead the transition from traditional location selection to a </span>big-data-driven targeting model using machine learning, consumer mobility data, micro-market segmentation, and trade-area analytics.</span> 

• Build and deploy a predictive scoring model to identify high-value vending locations (e.g., transportation hubs, commercial clusters, workplace corridors).</span> 

• Develop dashboards that allow frontline teams to prioritize placement opportunities and optimize route profitability.</span> 

• Partner with Strategy, RGM, and external data vendors to ensure modeling accuracy and business impact. 

2. Redesign Salesforce for Vending Placement Activities

• Overhaul the current Salesforce setup to support </span>end-to-end vending placement, evolving from the existing situation where ~20% of the team’s time is spent on system-related tasks to a </span>fully dedicated (100%) digital workflow. 

• Automate approval flows, standardize data entry, and streamline pipeline visibility from lead generation → evaluation → contract → activation. 

• Build real-time reporting tools for placement productivity, win/loss analysis, and sales forecasts.</span> 

• Align system redesign with Japan market operations while leveraging global best practices.</span> 

3. Lead Japan Vending Location Development Strategy

• Set annual operating plans for vending placements, relocations, and route optimization. 

• Establish regional and customer-segment-based priorities to maximize NSR and machine productivity. 

• Define and track KPIs such as placement success rate, ROI, route efficiency, and post-installation performance. 

• Ensure targeting strategy supports both existing route optimization and white-space expansion. 

4. Stakeholder Collaboration & Vendor Management

• Work closely with Route Operations, RGM, Finance, Legal, and Franchise/partner teams to deliver seamless placement execution. 

• Manage external GIS partners, data analytics providers, and field research agencies. 

• Present strategic recommendations and insights to Japan Vending leadership and OU stakeholders. 

Qualifications 

• 8–12+ years of experience in location strategy, vending/route business, commercial development, GIS/analytics, or field sales optimization. 

• Strong capabilities in </span>big data analytics, predictive modeling, GIS tools, and BI platforms. 

• Experience leading Salesforce or workflow-automation transformations is highly preferred. 

• Deep understanding of Japan’s vending market, real estate characteristics, and mobility dynamics. 

• Strong communication and stakeholder-influencing skills.</span> 

• Business-level English preferred; Japanese required.</span>