Tokyo Sales DivisionYasuhiro Ito

How is Kida Company?

I’m involved in proposing and selling primarily food additive products. In the course of my regular sales activities I get to meet with a broad variety of business partners—not just clients, but also manufacturers and others in the industry. We exchange a lot of detailed information with one another, and maintaining trust in our relationships is critical. It’s a key feature of our company. The importance of communication has also become part of our internal corporate culture, making it easy to ask questions when you don’t understand something. It’s also great when you’re struggling, since other people readily work with you to find a solution.

When do you get the most satisfaction out of your work?

This may not sound glamorous, but I find a lot of joy in acting as a bridge between manufacturers and customers in my job as a salesperson at a trading company. I was majoring in a liberal arts and I am not particularly good at chemistry, but by deepening my knowledge and working to grow in that area, I’ve been able to broaden my sales activities and boost my performance—which has in turn given me a lot of satisfaction. After I joined Kida, the company helped me get licensed to handle hazardous materials as well as manage toxic substances, and I’m currently looking to get additional qualifications as well. I’m eager to keep developing my skills.