Management Career

Discovering Passion for Logistics

To start with, how did your journey in logistics first begin?

More than 25 years ago, I became fascinated by the dynamic nature of global trade and the opportunity to connect businesses across continents. At first, it seemed like an interesting field to explore, but I very quickly realized that logistics is not just about moving cargo from A to B. That sense of responsibility and impact is what first drew me into this world and made me want to stay.

As you spent more time in the industry, when did you feel, “Yes, this is the right field for me”?

Over time, I started to see more clearly how critical logistics is to the global economy. When supply chains work, most people hardly notice us—but when they don’t, everything stops. I enjoyed the challenge of making complex operations run smoothly and of bringing together different regions, teams, and cultures. At some point, I realized that this mix of complexity, responsibility, and international collaboration is exactly what motivates me. That was when logistics stopped being “just a job” and became the field where I wanted to invest my long‑term energy.

With that background, what eventually led you to choose NX as your next step?

When I considered the next step in my journey, NX stood out as a forward‑thinking, globally connected logistics provider. Three things in particular attracted me.
First, the long‑term vision and strong reputation in the market.
Second, the clear focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and customer excellence.
And third, the combination of Japanese roots and global reach, which creates a very distinctive culture.
I saw a place where operational excellence, respect, and long‑term thinking come together—and where my experience could really make a difference. It felt like a company where I could continue to grow, while also helping to shape the future.

My Career Story

Before joining NX, what were some of the key experiences that shaped your career?

Before joining NX, I built a long and diverse career at several leading logistics companies. Over the course of more than two decades, I held senior regional leadership roles in sales, airfreight, and business development across Europe and beyond. In these positions, I was responsible for P&L ownership, procurement leadership, gateway operations, sales management, strategic planning, and customer relationship management, at times leading large teams.
Very often, my role was to connect different countries and functions—to act as a hub where information, decisions, and people came together. That experience strongly shaped the way I lead today.

Looking back on those roles, how did they influence the way you lead today?

Working across different regions, functions, and teams taught me how important it is to balance commercial performance, operational reliability, and people development. You can only achieve sustainable results when you build trust, create clarity, and empower people to take responsibility.
Today, my leadership is very much about being present, listening carefully, and making sure people know where we are going and why. I try to bring together the discipline of operations with the human side of leadership, so that teams feel both challenged and supported.

And since you joined NX, how has your role evolved within the organization?

Since joining NX, I have focused on leading teams, driving commercial strategy, strengthening customer partnerships, and supporting both global and regional transformation initiatives. My role involves working closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure operational excellence, sustainable growth, and alignment with NX’s long‑term strategy.
Over time, the scope has become less about my own area alone and more about shaping direction, developing people, and connecting regional realities with global ambitions. In many ways, I see my role as helping to translate strategy into day‑to‑day actions that teams can relate to.

A Day in the Life at NX

What does a “typical” week look like for you at NX?

A typical week is a balance of external and internal leadership. On the customer side, I have regular meetings, business reviews, and strategic discussions aimed at deepening partnerships and exploring new opportunities. Internally, I lead team sessions, performance reviews, and planning meetings to make sure that our commercial and operational strategies are clearly understood and well executed.
No two weeks are exactly the same, but that mix of customer focus and team leadership is always there in some form.

Within that mix of internal and external work, which moments do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the moments when teams come together to solve complex challenges. For example, when we align across regions on a customer solution, or when colleagues from different functions sit around the same table to redesign a process, you can feel the energy in the room.
Seeing people contribute ideas, challenge each other constructively, and then execute together is very rewarding. Those are the moments when you really feel the strength of a global organization.

On the other hand, what kinds of challenges do you and your team most often find yourselves working through?

We spend a lot of time analyzing market dynamics, adjusting our offerings, and coordinating with global counterparts to keep our services reliable and competitive. Balancing growth, profitability, and service quality is always a challenge.
At the same time, we are constantly looking at how to develop people, improve collaboration, and prepare for the next phase of transformation in our industry. It feels less like a one‑off project and more like a continuous journey that we are on together.

What It’s Like to Work at NX

If someone asked you to sum up NX’s culture in just one word, what would you say, and why?

If I had to choose one word, it would be “Respectful.” Across all levels—between colleagues, toward customers, and with partners—there is a genuine sense of respect. That respect creates trust, stability, and a strong foundation for performance. In short, it is a culture where people feel valued and where high performance and humanity go hand in hand.

How does that respectful culture feel different from other companies you have worked for?

NX offers a unique balance. On one hand, you feel the reliability and long‑term orientation of a Japanese company. On the other hand, you experience the openness and flexibility of a global enterprise. Processes are stable, communication is clear, and there is a strong emphasis on people development and well‑being.
New ideas are welcomed, and cross‑regional cooperation is part of daily life, not an exception. That combination makes the culture feel both grounded and forward‑looking at the same time.

Can you give an example of what cross‑regional or cross‑functional collaboration looks like in your work?

We work closely with colleagues across different regions and functions to serve global customers and drive strategic initiatives. For example, when we design solutions for multinational customers, teams from multiple countries and functions come together to align on strategy, operations, and customer expectations.
People are encouraged to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and bring in different perspectives. That collaborative atmosphere makes it easier to innovate and to deliver consistent service worldwide.

From a people perspective, how does NX support work–life balance and well‑being?

There is a clear understanding that high performance is only sustainable when people can take care of their health, their families, and their lives outside work. NX’s policies, benefits, and leadership mindset reflect that. The expectation is not that you work all the time, but that you work with focus, accountability, and respect for others—and then disconnect and recharge.
That balance is taken seriously, not just mentioned in presentations. For many colleagues, including myself, this has made a real difference in how we experience our work.

Future Goal / Career Path

Looking ahead, what are the themes you are most focused on as a leader at NX?

Looking ahead, my ambition is to drive sustainable growth, strengthen NX’s market position, and empower the next generation of leaders. Three themes are especially important for me: digitalization, customer centricity, and strengthening our airfreight and sales capabilities.
I want to help position NX not just as a logistics provider, but as a strategic partner for global brands—someone they can rely on when they think about the future of their supply chains.

You mentioned digitalization. How do you see digital tools and data changing the way you work?

Digital tools and data are becoming central to how we plan, operate, and make decisions. Using data effectively allows us to improve visibility, optimize networks, and respond faster to changes in demand.
For me, digitalization is not about replacing people, but about enabling them to make better decisions and focus on higher‑value work. It is about combining human judgment with stronger, more transparent information so that we can serve customers in smarter ways.

In that future, what kind of opportunities do you want to create for younger colleagues?

I want to provide meaningful opportunities for younger colleagues to grow: international exposure, cross‑functional projects, and experiences that stretch their capabilities. Encouraging curiosity, responsibility, and entrepreneurial thinking is essential.
When people are given trust, clear expectations, and support, they can grow faster than they might imagine—and they can help drive NX’s transformation at the same time.

Message to New Colleagues

From your perspective, what kind of people tend to thrive at NX?

In short, people who excel at NX are proactive, respectful, and team‑oriented. They bring a global mindset, are committed to continuous improvement, and maintain a strong customer‑first attitude. They are not afraid of change and see transformation as an opportunity rather than a risk.
When people combine ambition with humility and respect, they not only grow faster themselves, they also help the whole team move forward.

When you think about teammates you enjoy working with, what qualities come to mind?

I value people who are open, collaborative, and willing to challenge ideas constructively. I appreciate colleagues who speak up, share their perspectives, and take ownership for making things better, not just for themselves but for the whole team.
When people combine ambition with humility, it creates a very strong team dynamic—one where you can trust each other and still keep raising the bar.

What advice would you give to candidates who want to build a long‑term career at NX?

My advice is simple.
Stay curious. Embrace change. And take responsibility for your own development.
Seek out opportunities to learn from different regions, functions, and cultures. If you can align your personal goals with the goals of your team and of NX, you will not only grow as a professional, but also find a deep sense of purpose in your work. In the end, that sense of shared purpose is what makes a long‑term career at NX truly rewarding.

Is there a final message you would like to share with future colleagues and candidates?

If you want to grow in a global logistics environment that values people, long‑term thinking, and operational excellence, NX can be a very rewarding place. I often say that no one succeeds alone in our industry. One person can be strong, but a connected team is much stronger.
When teams support each other across borders, when customers recognize NX’s reliability, and when colleagues feel proud of what they achieve together—that is when I feel most proud to be part of this journey. For people who enjoy working that way, NX is a great place to build the next chapter of their career.