Senior Business Development Manager

Senior Business Development Manager

Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Company: Tokai

Region: Middle East & Africa

Employment: Full-time

About Tokai

Tokai is a Japanese ophthalmic lens manufacturer with a long-standing focus on optical technology, lens design and product development. Through its international operations and partnerships, Tokai serves customers across more than 80 countries.

With the establishment of our new production facility in the UAE, Tokai is strengthening its presence in the Middle East and Africa and creating a stronger local platform to support customers and partners across the region.

To support this next phase of development, we are looking for a Senior Business Development Manager with extensive experience in the optical industry and a strong existing network across the Middle East and Africa, based in the UAE.

The Role

This is a senior and hands-on commercial role for an experienced professional from the optical or ophthalmic industry who combines business development, strategic thinking and management with an established understanding of the Middle East and African markets.

Working closely with the CEO of Tokai UAE, you will play a key role in further developing Tokai's presence across the region. You will be expected to leverage your industry experience, market knowledge and established professional network to identify new business opportunities, strengthen existing customer relationships and accelerate Tokai's commercial development.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Market Growth

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across the Middle East and Africa.
• Use your established network within the optical industry to create new commercial opportunities and accelerate market development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, distributors, optical groups, laboratories and other relevant industry partners.

Strategy & Management

• Work closely with the CEO to define priorities and translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Support the development of the UAE operation and its wider regional activities.
• Coordinate with internal teams and international Tokai colleagues to ensure effective execution.

Customer & Partner Management

• Maintain regular contact with key accounts and strategic partners.
• Develop new relationships with relevant optical industry stakeholders throughout the Middle East and Africa.
• Participate in customer meetings, business reviews, industry events and relevant trade fairs.
• Represent Tokai professionally at senior management and industry level.

About you

We are looking for a senior commercial professional with a proven track record in the optical or ophthalmic industry. You combine strong industry knowledge with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to turn relationships and market opportunities into sustainable business growth.

• Have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, with a significant part of your career in business development, sales or commercial management within the optical or ophthalmic industry.
• Have a strong and established professional network within the optical industry across the Middle East and Africa, including relationships with distributors, optical groups, laboratories, retailers and/or other relevant industry stakeholders.
• Have experience working across the Middle East and/or Africa and understand the different cultures and ways of doing business within the region.
• Are structured, decisive and comfortable taking responsibility.
• Have strong people and stakeholder management skills.
• Have the maturity and presence to represent an international company at senior level.
• Are fluent in English. Professional proficiency in French and/or Arabic is a strong asset, given the importance of French- and Arabic-speaking markets across the region.

Sharjah-Based Position

This position is based in Sharjah, UAE, and requires the candidate to be resident in the UAE. The successful candidate should already have, or be eligible to obtain, the appropriate UAE residency and work authorization.

The role involves regular interaction and travel with customers and partners across the Middle East and Africa, as well as collaboration with Tokai colleagues internationally.

What We Offer

• A senior role within an established Japanese ophthalmic lens manufacturer.
• The opportunity to play a key role in the development of Tokai's growing presence in the Middle East and Africa.
• A broad role combining business development, strategy and management.
• Direct interaction with senior management and international teams.
• Significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape the commercial development of a growing regional operation.
• An international working environment with customers and partners across multiple markets.

Interested

If you are an experienced optical industry professional with a strong commercial track record and an established network across the Middle East and Africa, we would like to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a short motivation explaining your experience within the optical industry, your knowledge of the Middle East and African markets, and why you believe you would be a good fit for this position.