Senior Business Development Manager

Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.

We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.

Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.

Role Description

This role is critical in helping Koala expand into the business sector and help to achieve our future revenue aspirations. This role will focus on creating overall strategy, identifying new opportunities, and executing these as we aim to become the first-choice supplier in the sleep category as a main focus area..

The focus is on acquiring and developing enterprise accounts in the accommodation, property and development sector..

This role will need to keep an innovative and agile mindset as we look to drive efficiencies with all existing processes while developing new processes involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, develop and implement our operational strategies to support overall B2B goals.

• To help to create and execute action plans to achieve strategic objectives.

• Identify and leverage opportunities with special focus on the accommodation, property and development sector utilizing both a cold calling and warm lead approach to drive new business opportunities.

• Lead the B2B team while ensuring main priorities are being met in an efficient and effective manner setting clear performance goals and providing regular feedback and coaching.

• Negotiating and closing sales opportunities and encouraging long-term relationships with key decision-makers, through regular contact, meetings, and ongoing support and service.

• Identify and enable marketing initiatives that create stronger awareness in the Trade & Commercial sector while driving new lead generation.

• Oversee day-to-day operations while supporting our B2B Team with business inquiries, ordering, and fulfillment when required.

• Monitor and analyze KPIs to drive continuous improvements while actively reporting on all leads, opportunities in a weekly and monthly cadence.

• Build relationships and work closely with all internal stakeholders. Continually work on process improvement to drive increased efficiency and scalability.

• Take ownership and proactive measures to drive a great customer experience for B2B customers.

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies.

• Lead initiatives to integrate new technologies and systems to enhance operational efficiency.
  

Ideal background

• Degree qualified in a relevant Business or retail discipline.

• +10 years proven experience in B2B operations or a similar strategic role.

• Strong understanding of operational processes and best practices.

• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Autonomous and proactive nature

• Strong leadership and team management abilities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM software, and operations management tools.

• Fluent in Japanese and English.

• A positive attitude and “people person” is a must for Koala

• Relationship-building skills to deal with business partners across broader cross-functional teams internally and externally, understand Japanese business culture
  

Treehouse Perks and Privileges

Koala is only as good as its employees are happy - and we’re one happy international bilingual bunch! We offer our teams hybrid working options and the freedom and autonomy to do their best work in a way that works for them! Whether that’s working your own version of 9-6, working from home in your pajamas from time to time or hanging out at our Treehouse (this is what we call our office digs) in Omotesando, or enjoying the 20+ days annual leave (+generous time off for volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more) you decide whatever helps you find your flow! The Treehouse has plenty of social activities to get involved with, including Thursday lunches, and help you get to know your fellow Koalas better as well as free Koala products for all employees - who better to shout from the tree tops how awesome our products are, right?! We also recognise that we can’t grow as a brand unless we support the growth of our teams so this is a strong focus for us via our Learning Management platform Juno, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days. Lastly and importantly our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support. We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough. So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to!

Koalities We Look For

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always curious to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. We're confident, but NEVER arrogant and we adapt to change uber quickly. Honesty and selflessness drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)

There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognize that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.

To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.