Sales & Purchasing Manager -Japanese Bilingual

Position

Sales & Purchasing Manager - Japanese Bilingual

Summary

A Japanese food and beverage distributor is seeking a Sales & Purchasing Manager to oversee and grow their Japanese food import and distribution business. This role is responsible for managing relationships with Japanese suppliers, developing procurement strategies, and expanding sales channels to restaurants, supermarkets, and other food service clients across the United States.

As a growing startup in an exciting expansion phase, this is a high-impact position where you will play a key role in shaping their business strategy, building operational infrastructure, and directly contributing to their long-term success. This is a unique opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about Japanese food and international trade.

The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of Japanese food products, strong negotiation skills, and experience in both B2B sales and supply chain management.

Essential Duties

Sales & Business Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, including restaurants, grocery stores, and food service distributors.
• Identify new sales opportunities and lead market expansion initiatives within the U.S. market.
• Create and execute sales strategies and targets in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Attend industry trade shows and networking events to promote company offerings.

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Source and negotiate with Japanese food and beverage manufacturers and trading companies.
• Manage the full procurement cycle, including contract negotiation, order placement, shipment coordination, and inventory control.
• Ensure timely product availability, cost efficiency, and compliance with U.S. import regulations.
• Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain risks to optimize purchasing strategy.

Team & Operational Management

• Supervise and support sales and procurement team members, providing guidance and training as needed.
• Collaborate with warehouse, logistics, and quality control teams to ensure smooth operations.

Working Hours, Working style

8:00am-5:00pm

• During the initial training period, full-time in-office attendance is required to ensure thorough onboarding and team integration.
• After the training period, a flexible work style is available, including direct commuting to client sites and the option to work remotely when appropriate.

Working Location

Secaucus, NJ

Salary/Benefit

$110-110K+bonus

Insurance (Medical, Dental, and Vision)

Holidays

Saturday, Sunday, Holiday

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in sales, purchasing, or supply chain management within the food import/export or distribution industry.
• Fluent-level Japanese and business-level English proficiency required.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese food products, food safety standards, and cultural practices.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to manage supplier/client relationships.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.