From Sales Administration to Department Manager
A Place Where Proactive People Can Thrive

What Made You Consider Changing Careers?

After graduating from university in Japan, I joined a study-abroad agency, where I worked for three years. Although I found the work rewarding in many ways, I gradually began to look for an opportunity to become more involved with China. I eventually set my sights on working for a trading company engaged in business between Japan and China.

What Made You Decide to Join HighChem?

I wanted to move into the trading industry, but switching to an unfamiliar field with no prior experience seemed challenging, so I first moved to a logistics company. There, I spent about a year gaining hands-on experience in basic trade operations between Japan and China, including arranging shipping and handling customer inquiries.

After that, I learned about HighChem, which was expanding its business as a chemical trading company specializing in Japan-China trade. This was in the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and I learned that the company had some staffing vacancies, including employees who had returned to China. I decided to apply, and was fortunate enough to be offered a position in sales administration.

Could You Tell Us About Your Career Journey Since Joining HighChem?

I joined HighChem in 2011 as a Sales Administration Staff Member. As a sales support professional, I always tried to anticipate the needs of sales representatives and take action proactively so that they could work more effectively. This approach gradually earned the trust of those around me, and I was given more opportunities to take on tasks involving direct communication with customers, such as coordinating delivery schedules. Since I have always enjoyed communicating with people, I gradually developed a strong interest in sales. I discussed my desire to transfer to a sales position with my supervisor at the time, and my request was approved, allowing me to make a career change within the company.

I began my sales career in route sales, handling existing products for existing customers. As I met with customers regularly, I received more inquiries about new products, which allowed me to gradually expand the range of products I handled. My performance as a salesperson was recognized, and I was promoted to Senior Manager in 2018. In 2020, I became Manager of the Functional Chemicals Section #2, where I worked with one team member to expand the market share of existing products and develop new products, helping to grow the department’s business. Then, in 2025, I was promoted to General Manager of the Functional Materials Department in recognition of my achievements. Today, I oversee a team of three—two sales representatives and one assistant—and am responsible for managing the department.

What Do You Think Is Needed to Grow the Department’s Business?

When the department was established in 2020, its annual sales were approximately ¥1.6 billion. This year, we expect sales to reach ¥3.5 billion, meaning we have more than doubled our sales over the past five years.

I believe that growing the business requires constantly planting “seeds” for future opportunities. To do this, it is important to build strong relationships with customers through attentive, day-to-day communication. Customers face a wide range of challenges in their daily operations. By responding to each one carefully and thoroughly, we can become the company they think of first when a new challenge arises—“Let’s talk to HighChem about this.” At the time, we may not know whether a particular challenge will grow into a valuable opportunity in the future, but the potential is certainly there. I believe our role is to create as many of these possibilities as possible by continuously planting the seeds for future growth.

What Do You Value Most in Your Work?

I believe in handling every task with care, no matter how small it may be. I take the same approach when communicating with both customers and colleagues, always trying to put myself in their shoes and consider things from their perspective.

There is only so much we can accomplish on our own. In particular, as I am not a chemistry specialist, I rely on the support of those around me, including my supervisors and team members, when it comes to technical matters. By also being considerate of colleagues at our China offices who communicate directly with manufacturers, I find it easier to communicate our requests to Chinese manufacturers. Above all, when it comes to relationships with customers, I believe that treating them with care helps us build strong relationships based on trust.

Are There Any Moments When You Feel You Are Making Use of Your Previous Experience and Skills?

At the study-abroad agency where I worked previously, I was responsible for sales to individual customers. Unlike corporate sales, individual customers pay for the service themselves, so the expectations can be particularly demanding, and a correspondingly high level of service is required. During my three years there, I learned how to communicate effectively with Japanese customers, how to anticipate their needs, and how to choose the right words and manner of communication to ensure that they felt satisfied and comfortable with the service.

What New Things Have You Learned Since Joining HighChem?

I have come to realize every day that thinking for yourself and taking action are among the most important qualities for working at HighChem. Here, no one is going to simply hand you work while you wait. Even when it comes to managing a department, I have learned to think independently and develop the ability to create new opportunities and initiatives on my own.

What Is the Working Environment Like at HighChem?

HighChem offers a great deal of autonomy and opportunities to people who are willing to think for themselves and take action. Regardless of age or background, everyone has the opportunity to make an impact. There are also relatively few restrictions on what you can do based on your department, giving employees the flexibility to propose and implement ideas based on their own initiative.

For people who are proactive and motivated to work based on their own ideas, I believe HighChem is a highly rewarding place to work.

What Do You Think of HighChem’s Evaluation and Compensation System?

At HighChem, performance is evaluated very clearly, creating an environment where your efforts can be directly reflected in your compensation. Bonuses are paid as performance-based compensation based on the performance of the company as a whole and of individual departments. Salaries are based on an annual salary system, with the base annual salary determined at the time of joining according to each employee’s capabilities and professional experience. After joining the company, employees are evaluated annually on a five-level scale from A to E based on their performance, and salary increases are determined accordingly.

For mid-career hires in particular, compensation takes their professional background into account, and the system is designed to ensure that those who demonstrate their abilities are recognized accordingly.

In addition, at the end of each year, HighChem recognizes employees who have made significant contributions to the company or their respective business divisions during the year. I believe this recognition system also helps motivate employees in their work.