Business Development Manager

Company Profile

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is an integrated global trading company active in a range of commercial ventures. It imports and exports raw materials, and goods and has diversified activities in businesses throughout the Americas. These activities include investments and financing, coordination and operation of urban and industrial infrastructure projects, providing transportation and logistics services, developing natural resources, distribution of steel and other products, and developing and managing real estate. SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (SC), one of Japan's major integrated trading and investment business enterprises with operations in a wide array of businesses, organized into seven industry focused segments, Energy, Automotive, Social Infrastructure, Agri-Food & Life Science, Construction & Transportation, Real Estate, Mineral Resources, and Energy Innovation Initiatives. Visit and for more information.

Summary

Job Summary:

The Business Development Manager is responsible for leading and managing the development and implementation of ammonia as marine fuel at US ports within the organization. This role requires a strategic leader with a technical background who can facilitate and drive risk assessment and establish safe ammonia supply operations with external technical experts, various stakeholders and relevant government agencies in the US. The Business Development Manager will lead vessel charters, storage leases and minority investments with US local logistics companies. They will also assist to secure sales and purchase contracts with ammonia producers and shipping companies to ensure successful build-up of competitive end-to-end supply chain of ammonia as marine fuel in the US. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of US domestic maritime industries or supply chain management of energy or chemical products in the US, with a proven track record in project management and stakeholder engagement.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Drive strategy on climate change initiatives and work closely with senior leadership team to shape SCOA’s reputation as a leader in this space.
• Spearhead initiatives in the low carbon marine fuel sector by leading the company’s ammonia bunkering project(s) in the US, which would require facilitating discussions with consortium partners, with a view to make investment decisions on the project(s) in 2025-2026 and commence commercial operations achieve commercialize the project(s) in 2029-2030. The job also necessitates close coordination with diverse stakeholders across the entire ammonia bunkering value chain, which include but not limited to local partners, authorities / regulatory agencies and communities, technical experts & advisors, etc. The primary objective is to build up competitive supply chains and manage relationships with relevant authorities to gain necessary permits & approvals, and ultimately create ammonia bunkering projects in the U.S. This will be the core focus of the role.
• Identify and evaluate potential high-impact investment opportunities in ammonia as marine fuel space, including marine fuel production projects and supply chain infrastructures. The job requires conducting basic technical analysis, creating financial models & valuation analysis, conducting business due diligence reviews, assessing industry landscape and competition dynamics, drafting investment memoranda, and coordinating with external legal, financial, market and technical advisors.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the whole company to develop new investment themes, theses, and prepare supporting materials to secure project mandates from the senior management.
• Support general managers and senior managers with preparation, facilitation, and internal reporting for meetings with external parties and facilitate the Group’s routine operations including participation in budget monitoring & preparation, generation of monthly update / progress reports, conducting internal workshops, and etc.
  
  

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills & Abilities

• Maritime business or supply chain or production project management experience preferably in energy space, such as Oil & Gas or chemical products, and preferably clean energy including hydrogen / ammonia and biofuels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills supported by a high proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a high-performance team.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines and constant interruptions.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, thoroughness and timeliness in work.
  
  

Education, Certification and Experience: Physical Requirements: Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement:

• Essential Experience:
• 5-10 years’ experience in US domestic maritime business (including but not limited to bunker supply, ship building, owning, chartering, operating, or managing) and/or coordination related to safety regulations with US Coast Guard; or
• 5-10 years’ experience in supply chain (Mid-Down Stream) and/or production project (Up Stream) management of energy or chemical products in the US
• Preferred Experience:
• Experience in business development and/or project management
• Experience in financing and/or accounting
• Required Education:
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university in maritime, chemistry, engineering, physics or relevant disciplines are required.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, required to sit for extended periods of time while performing job duties, frequently operates standard office machines with hands and eyes.
  
  

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Sumitomo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Sumitomo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.