TOHRU IWAMA

*** ******, ******, ** ***** USA

Home 949-***-**** Cell 949-***-****

adyxkr@r.postjobfree.com

SENIOR PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGER

PRODUCT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MARKETING SALES PLANNING

Experienced, proven Senior Program Manager with over 30 years of experience in all aspects of international and domestic product management as well as marketing, sales management, and customer service/relationship management. Special talent for global coordination of product launches and expansion initiatives resulting in reduced time-to-market and faster solutions to customer needs. My expertise includes project management, strategic sourcing, marketing program development and sales program management. Special expertise in Asian markets and in developing effective partnerships with Asian companies. Multi-cultural background, fluent in Japanese and English.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AEYE INC., Dublin, CA 2019 – 2023 Jan.

To Japanese potential customers, conducting introduction and promotion of the laser sensor with advanced perception systems (LiDAR) that act as the eyes and visual cortex of vehicles, machines, and infrastructural systems, for autonomous drive, industrial and security works, including shipping arrangement of evaluation sample units to Japan.

DENSO PRODUCTS and SERVICES AMERICAS INC. Long Beach, CA 2015 - 2019

Business Development and Customer Support division for QR code readers and RFID scanner manufactured by DENSO WAVE Inc in Japan.

DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, Long Beach, CA

Senior Project Manager 2010 – 2015

Managing Connected Services projects assisting DENSO Japan to promote mobile applications and location-content QR code system in North America for in-vehicle navigation use. Previously managed projects for an automotive OEM with their in-vehicle multimedia infotainment systems.

NAVTEQ, Irvine, CA (Current name: HERE Technologies) 2007 – 2010

Managed customer specific program of the world’s largest provider of GIS data and electronic mapping for automotive companies and providers of wireless services.

Strategic Program Manager, 2009 -- 2010

Led marketing efforts to promote Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) applications to Japanese and Korean auto manufacturers (Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, and Hyundai) and major suppliers like DENSO, AISIN and LG. Responsible for identifying and evaluating client needs, promoting NAVTEQ map data, helping clients design ADAS applications and providing client R&D programs with tools and sample map data needed for ADAS application development. Acted as liaison between OEM clients and NAVTEQ engineering teams; coordinated global cross-functional teams to ensure necessary alignment between client and NAVTEQ products.

Successfully managed sample data creation and tool delivery project for five major Japanese automakers/suppliers simultaneously, bringing project to completion three weeks ahead of schedule.

Cut client product delivery acceptance by four weeks for earlier payment by effective client needs analysis and cross-cultural ability.

Key role in developing important strategic partnerships to both expand NAVTEQ business and better meet clients’ product needs.

Customer Program Manager, 2007 -- 2009

Managed major accounts, DENSO and Alpine, the navigation system suppliers for Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura, ensuring proper identification and fulfillment of client needs with appropriate customization and delivery.

Successfully met and surpassed challenging DENSO account expectations, developing trust to reduce quarterly action requests from over 100 to fewer than 20.

Played a key role in leading NAVTEQ’s Incremental Update Program and managed series of technical meetings with major Japanese customers (DENSO, Alpine, MELCO, AISIN and MBA).

SUSTEEN, INC., Irvine, CA 2002 – 2007

Manufacturer of PC- and Mac-based data backup and retrieval software and equipment for individual users as well as cell phone and portable data equipment providers.

Sr. Product Manager

Directed Hardware Development Group with four direct reports to oversee design/manufacture of data cables and standalone devices for mobile phone data backup and retrieval. Promoted management of company software products with focus on updates and customization for Mobile Phone OEMs and Wireless Carriers.

Successfully managed custom Product Development Programs for LG, Kyocera, Alltel, Qwest, and Best Buy.

Successfully launched customized, stand-alone phone data backup product, coordinating internal hardware development team and offshore software development team and outsourced manufacturer to launch, deliver product in time for Japanese holiday season.

Saved company almost $1M in cable costs while enabling cable system to support more phone models by developing “Universal Cable System” with replaceable connector tips. Later re-designed the Universal Cable System for 40% cost reduction and to meet market demand for smaller packages.

I/O INTERNCONNECT, Santa Ana, CA/Dongguan, China 2000 – 2002

Manufacturer of cables, connectors, and other electrical components with operations in California and China.

Product Manager, Asia-Pacific Sales/Marketing Manager

Product Manager for fiber channel cable assembly products while simultaneously leading business development efforts in the Asia/Pacific area, especially Japan. Successfully closed accounts with major Japanese electronics manufacturers

During initial efforts, successfully closed accounts with major Japanese electronics firms including Canon, Toshiba, Hitachi, NEC and Casio in first six months despite representing US company with no prior Japanese presence.

Increased product design-in by 200% by streamlining sample and documentation processes.

ITT INDUSTRIES/CANNON, Santa Ana, CA 1994 – 2000

Manufacturer of electrical interconnect solutions for military/aerospace, civil aircraft, Industrial Instrumentation, medical, energy and other markets. Part of ITT Corporation, $1.6B global engineering and manufacturing company.

Product Manager/Private Branding Manager

Managed life cycle of company and third-party Asia/Pacific electrical connector products in North America.

Coordinated business channel streamlining and product reorganizations among ITT Cannon’s regional business

units in the US, Japan, Germany, and Mexico including offshore product transfers and inter-unit product development

projects.

Successfully qualified and implemented US launch of outsourced products to achieve 20% revenue increase in product line.

Achieved 50% cost reduction with mobile phone connector by leading development projects managing global cross-functional team.

MATSUSADA Precision Inc, JAPAN 1990 – 1994

Manufacturer of high voltage power supply units.

Product promotional Manager

Introduced power supply units to international organizations (stayed and worked in Stuttgart, Germany: 1990-1991, and in Mountain View, CA, USA: 1992-1994)

INOAC Inc., Nagoya JAPAN 1984-1988

Manufacturer of materials based on urethane, rubber, plastic and synthetic materials; development of products using these materials; and the application of new-material products in automotive, two-wheeled vehicles, information technology products, and housing and construction products, as well as products closely related to consumers' lifestyles, such as cosmetic accessories.

International division stuff

Worked on international communications and meetings with foreign partners visiting Japan.

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Friends University, Wichita, KS, USA. (Graduated in 1990).

Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies and English, Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan (Graduated in 1984)

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