General Manager, North America (Bilingual Japanese/English)
About The Position
Hobonichi Inc. is seeking its first General Manager to lead the U.S. company as it becomes a fully operating business in North America. The role owns the company’s strategy and P&L, sales and marketing, and supporting operations, including finance, people, compliance, and logistics. The General Manager will work with headquarters in Tokyo to set strategy, annual plans, and budgets, and will lead the U.S. team, including the Sales & Marketing Manager and HR & Accounting Coordinator. The position reports to C-level leadership at headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and works closely with teams such as Brand, Product, and Finance. Regular video calls with Tokyo are expected, including some outside standard Pacific business hours. The role is hybrid in Hermosa Beach, California. Hobonichi is the Tokyo company behind the Hobonichi Techo planner. North and Central America account for more than a third of Hobonichi Techo sales, and Hobonichi Inc. was established in the United States in 2025 to serve the region more directly.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in consumer products, retail, e-commerce, or brand businesses, including responsibility for a business unit, a P&L, or a U.S. subsidiary.
- 3+ years of people-management experience, including hiring and performance management.
- Hands-on knowledge of U.S. business operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, contracts, and compliance, working with outside advisors.
- A track record of growing sales through retail, wholesale, or e-commerce channels in North America.
- Native-level Japanese and professional-level English.
- Authorization to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
Nice To Haves
- Experience as General Manager or Country Manager at the U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese company.
- Experience launching or ramping up a new U.S. entity.
- Experience with Amazon (Seller or Vendor Central) or Shopify.
- Experience with import, customs, and third-party logistics.
- Experience with stationery, gifts, or lifestyle products.
Responsibilities
- Set North American strategy, annual plans, and budgets with headquarters, and take responsibility for the P&L.
- Grow retail, wholesale, distributor, and e-commerce sales channels, including marketplaces such as Amazon, and manage key partner relationships.
- Guide localized marketing, events, and trade shows, and communicate U.S. customer perspectives to product and brand teams in Tokyo.
- Hire, develop, and manage the U.S. team; set goals, review performance, and establish team practices.
- Oversee finance and reporting with outside accountants, payroll and benefits with the PEO, and contracts, insurance, and regulatory compliance.
- Oversee import, customs, inventory, and fulfillment with logistics partners.
- Provide regular business reporting to headquarters and connect the U.S. market with teams in Tokyo.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
