Sales & Marketing Manager, North America (Bilingual Japanese/English)

Hobonichi inc.•Hermosa Beach, CA

5h•$75,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Hobonichi is hiring a Sales & Marketing Manager to lead sales and business development for the Hobonichi Techo and other products across North America. The role will help accelerate the brand’s growth outside Japan and build the local operations and sales structure needed to bring Hobonichi Inc., a newly established U.S. company, to full scale. The position is based in a hybrid work arrangement in Hermosa Beach, California, and includes travel within North America for trade shows and partner meetings, with occasional trips to Tokyo. The role reports to the General Manager, North America. Until that position is filled, it reports to leadership at headquarters in Tokyo and may also work with and report to headquarters teams such as Brand and Product. The successful candidate will help carry out the localization strategy, develop sales channels and partnerships, coordinate e-commerce and marketing strategies, and share local market needs with the product team in Tokyo. The ideal candidate resonates with Hobonichi Techo and the company’s approach, enjoys pioneering work without precedent, adapts to change, and delivers results collaboratively. They are confident in negotiation and proposals, communicate respectfully across cultures and values, and have a strong interest in lifestyle, fashion, and culture. The position requires professional-level English negotiation skills, native-level Japanese, relevant international or North American sales or business development experience, and U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

At least 5 years of sales or business development experience for international or North American markets.
B2B experience with trading companies, manufacturers, or wholesalers.
Professional-level English negotiation skills and native-level Japanese.
Experience with market research and sales strategy.
Strong adaptability to working across cultures.
Authorization to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
Resonance with the Hobonichi Techo and the way Hobonichi thinks, and motivation to lead its growth in North America.
Enjoyment of situations without precedent, ability to move quickly, and a pioneering spirit.
Ability to adapt to change and deliver results with a team.
Confidence in negotiating and making proposals, with respectful communication across different cultures and values.
Strong interest in lifestyle, fashion, and culture.

Nice To Haves

Experience launching an overseas office or running or managing a local entity.
Knowledge of and hands-on experience in North American retail or e-commerce.
Sales experience at a specialty trading company.
Experience with stationery, gifts, or lifestyle products.
Sales and operations experience with Amazon or Shopify.
Sales experience with department stores or select shops.

Responsibilities

Help build the U.S. company’s local operations and sales structure and carry out the localization strategy.
Negotiate partnerships with specialty distributors, agents, and retailers.
Strengthen relationships and terms with existing accounts.
Research the market, plan sales strategies, and manage the company’s presence at trade shows, exhibitions, and events.
Build e-commerce sales strategies, including for marketplaces such as Amazon and Shopify stores.
Share North American market needs with the product team in Tokyo.
Work with the marketing team on local social media and brand communications.
Travel within North America for trade shows and partner meetings, with occasional travel to Tokyo.