Business Development Manager, Workwear

At ASICS, our Sound Mind, Sound Body™ philosophy is more than a tagline, it's our way of life. Over 75 years ago our founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport and movement had the power to lift spirits, project positivity, and propel people and whole communities forward.

ASICS provides a diverse and inclusive culture that enables learning, growth, and opportunity at all levels. Our robust employee benefits allow for real work-life balance and a strong sense of community. We empower our employees to pursue their career goals. If this sounds like you, then we want you on our team.

A Brief Overview

This role is responsible for driving ASICS Working's entry into the U.S. safety footwear market and accelerating global business growth. Reporting to the VP, Wholesale Sales, with a dotted-line relationship to the Global Business Planning Team in Japan, the position will lead market research, business strategy development, and channel expansion initiatives while building strong relationships with distributors, retailers, corporate customers, and industry stakeholders. The successful candidate will identify new business opportunities, develop market-driven product and commercial strategies, and collaborate closely with global teams in Japan, including the CPS Merchandising team in the U.S., to establish a sustainable business foundation and achieve long-term growth in the U.S. market. This role requires an entrepreneurial, self-starter mindset and comfort traveling and working across multiple time zones to support global collaboration.

Leadership Responsibilities

• This position does not have people leadership responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and development of strategic distributor and partner relationships, with an early priority on securing the right distributor to establish ASICS Working’s presence in the U.S. market.


• Develop and deliver product, brand, and sales training programs to equip distributors with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively represent and grow the business.


• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, customers, and market segments to drive revenue growth and expand market presence.


• Develop and execute business plans to support market entry and business expansion.


• Partner with AHQ teams in Japan and the CPS Merchandising team in the U.S., along with other cross-functional teams across product planning, design, and development, to align strategies and execute key business initiatives.


• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer needs, leading the development of product, pricing, and channel strategies through data-driven market and customer insights.


• Adheres to all company policies and procedures


• Embodies and demonstrates company ethics and values


• Abides by all federal, state and local laws

How You'll Be Successful

• Entrepreneurial, go-getter mindset, with the drive and resourcefulness to build a new business function from the ground up.


• Strong understanding of the U.S. working market and related industries, including safety footwear, workwear, and PPE.


• Expertise in distribution sales, with distribution sales being the highest priority capability.


• Ability to identify, evaluate, and develop new business opportunities and growth initiatives.


• Strong market research, competitive analysis, and customer insight capabilities, with the ability to translate findings into actionable business strategies.


• Strong communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills, both internally and externally.


• Self-motivated, proactive, adaptable, and able to take ownership in driving business initiatives, including overcoming challenges in a dynamic and evolving market environment.


• Comfortable with domestic and international travel, and working across multiple time zones, to collaborate with global AHQ teams and support business development activities.


• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with global stakeholders, including AHQ teams in Japan, and cross-functional partners such as CPS Merchandising.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Marketing, Business, Consumer Experience, Digital Commerce, Retail, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training, required


• 5-8 years of experience in distribution sales, business development, marketing, or business planning, including experience in the working industry or related industries (safety footwear, workwear, PPE), required.


• Experience in customer development and the establishment and management of sales channels and distributor networks required.


• Professional proficiency in English required to support business development activities and cross-regional collaboration.


• Knowledge of U.S. safety standards and regulations, including ASTM and OSHA, preferred.


• Established network within the working industry preferred.


• Experience in product planning, channel management, or distributor management preferred.


• Experience in distributor selection, channel partner management, and new market/product launches preferred.


• Expertise in Product Management preferred.


• Experience launching new products, brands, or categories into the market preferred.

SALARY / PAY RANGE: $90,000-$95,000

PAY TRANSPARENCY: To encourage pay transparency, promote pay equity, and proactively address regulations, ASICS America Corporation will comply with all applicable state or local laws or regulations which require employers to provide pay or salary range information to job applicants and employees. A posted salary/pay range applies to the current job posting. Salary/pay offers may be based on key factors such as education and related experience.

ASICS CCPA Pre-Collection Notice for Job Applications: We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with ASICS America Corporation, including the following categories of PI: identifiers, personal records, professional or employment information, and inferences drawn from your PI. We collect your PI for our purposes, including performing services and operations related to your potential employment. For additional details or if you have questions, contact us at [email protected].

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employee(s) assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employee(s) assigned to this job. ASICS America Corporation reserves the right at any time, with or without notice, to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities within your general skill set or capabilities. ASICS America Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-hybrid