Sales Manager (Asian Grocery & Export) | Established Japanese Food Manufacturer

A long-established Japanese food manufacturer with a rich history is seeking a Sales Manager (Asian Grocery & Export).

**This position is fully remote.**

＜Job Summary＞
Responsible for the Asian Division’s Grocery and Export sales while achieving company objectives for
sales, distribution, and market development. Expands company’s presence in Asian channels throughout
the U.S. and Canada and develops export business in assigned international markets. Build and maintain
strategic relationships with distributors and other distributors, retailers, importers, and international business
partners to increase distribution, sales, and long-term brand strength.

＜Job Duties＞
• Develops and executes sales strategies for the Asian Division and assigned export markets.
• Develops and expands the company distribution within Asian grocery stores, supermarkets, specialty retailers, and other applicable retail channels.
• Manages the Asian Division’s relationships with distributors’ corporate, distributors branches, appropriate distributors sales personnel, and other distributors.
• Develop strong working relationships with distributors purchasing teams, branch management, and sales personnel.
• Works with distributors to establish distribution priorities, sales objectives, promotional programs, and market development plans for Asian Grocery and Export.
• Identifies opportunities to expand the company distribution into new Asian retail accounts, geographic markets, and channels.
• Coordinates with other sales divisions before finalizing new business to prevent channel overlaps,
protect existing distributor and wholesaler relationships, and address potential customer concerns.
• Develops and manages assigned export customers, distributors, importers, and international market opportunities.
• Identifies and evaluates potential export markets and business partners in coordination with the VP of Sales.
• Develop market-specific sales plans based on customer requirements, competitive conditions, pricing, product assortment, and market potential.
• Coordinates with internal departments and headquarters regarding product availability, packaging requirements, forecasts, and other needs associated with export business.
• Recommends pricing, trade programs, and promotional strategies for Asian Grocery and Export customers.
• Works with distributor and retailer partners to improve product placement, assortment,
merchandising, promotional activity, and sales performance.
• Develops annual and monthly sales forecasts and expense budgets for assigned business
• Supports customer service to minimize shortages, and supports domestic and export requirements cost effectively.
• Works with Accounts Receivable to resolve deductions and assist with collecting past-due invoices when required.
• Conducts regular business reviews with key distributors, retailers, importers, and other customers.
• Attends and supports the company, distributors, distributor, retailer, and relevant industry events and trade shows.
• Maintains current knowledge of Asian Division distribution, retail trends, competitive products, pricing, merchandising, consumer behavior, and customer store counts.
• Follow company policies and procedures within areas of responsibility.

Reporting Activities
• Establishes and reviews sales objectives and provide weekly updates during sales meetings.
• Conducts regular meetings with distributors, retailers, distributors and importers for the purpose of product presentations and training as required.
• Travels to primary domestic sales regions and assigned international markets as business needs require.
• Reviews sales objectives, forecasts, budgets, and strategic priorities with the VP of Sales

＜Qualifications＞
• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Sales, Marketing, Management, International Business, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of sales experience in Asian grocery, retail, food distribution, consumer packaged goods, export sales, international business, or related positions.
• Experience working with distributors or comparable Asian food distributors strongly preferred.
• Experience developing export markets, managing international distributors, or working with importers preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Japanese is required.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of Asian grocery stores, specialty retailers, wholesalers, and Asian food distributors in the U.S.
• Demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with distributor executives, purchasing departments, branch management, buyers, and sales teams.
• Understanding of retail go-to-market strategies, distributor structures, category management, merchandising, and promotional programs.
• Understanding of international sales, distributors/importers, and export market development and overseas freight.
• Ability to evaluate new markets and develop practical sales and distribution strategies

【Keywords】
①Sales (Asian grocery)
②Food distribution, consumer packaged goods, export sales
③Japanese bilingual