Job Title: Sales Manager -Japanese Bilingual
Location: Irvine, California (Hybrid – On-site required, no full remote)
Salary Range: 150-200K DOE (including bonus)
Company: A Japan-based global manufacturer specializing in high-performance products and advanced engineering solutions. The company develops and manufactures high-quality, customized components that leverage our proprietary technologies for advanced fields such as medical, semiconductor, information and communications, and aerospace.
Work environment: Dynamic, multicultural work environment with close collaboration with Japan headquarters
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Position Summary
A leading Japan-based technology-driven global manufacturer with U.S. operations is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Sales Manager to lead B2B sales activities in the U.S. market. This role emphasizes solution-based selling, requiring deep engagement with customers to understand their technical needs and translate them into actionable insights for the Japan-based development team.
This position is responsible for solution-based sales targeting design and development engineers in the manufacturing industry. The role requires a deep understanding of customers’ technical needs and development challenges, and close collaboration with engineering and development teams in Japan to drive technical evaluations and product development.
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Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategic sales plans to drive revenue growth and expand market presence
- Lead solution-based sales efforts, working closely with customers to identify detailed product requirements, challenges, and future needs
- After accurately identifying customers’ technical challenges, you will design and propose value-added solutions leveraging our proprietary technologies. In addition, you will organize insights and development issues gained through technical discussions with customers and share/report them to the headquarters in Japan.
- Collaborate and coordinate with Japan-based R&D and engineering teams to align customer needs with product development
- Manage and develop a local solution sales team of four to six members, including performance management.
- Oversee sales budget planning, forecasting, and performance tracking, ensuring targets are met and adjusting strategies as needed
- Monitor key sales metrics, pipeline activity, and revenue projections, providing regular reports to senior management
- Maintain and grow key client relationships while identifying new business opportunities
- Participate in and represent the company at industry trade shows, exhibitions, and customer events
- Prepare sales forecasts, reports, and market analysis for senior leadership
- Travel domestically approximately once per month (flexible depending on customer needs)
- Travel to Japan approximately twice per year for internal coordination and meetings
- Maintain flexibility to work extended hours as needed to support business demands and cross-border collaboration
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Required Qualifications
- Minimum 10+ years of B2B sales experience
- Proven experience managing and leading sales teams
- Bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English (business level or higher)
- Bachelor’s degree (4-year university degree required)
- Strong experience in solution-oriented sales (not just product-based sales)
- Experience with sales budgeting, forecasting, and performance management
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally
- Ability to work in a hybrid environment with regular presence in the Irvine, CA office (remote-only not permitted)
- Work authorization in the United States is required. (As this company does not sponsor visas, candidates who will require visa sponsorship now or in the future will not be considered)
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Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in high-performance cables, tubing, and related components industry is a strongly preferred
- Technical background or experience in industrial or technical products
- Ability to understand and discuss complex technical specifications and customer requirements
- Experience working in a Japanese corporate environment or with cross-border teams