Location: Yokohama, Japan

Report to:   Market Leader, Japan and Korea

Number of direct reports: 8  

Role Purpose:

To use industry and customer insight to shape customer procurement strategy, position RS as an invaluable partner, and grow RS share of customer spend. The Sales Manager will lead the territory sales team to achieve area / territory sales targets, build effective relationships with key customers, and drive significant incremental sales.

What you'll be doing in this role:

✅ Shape Strategy & Deliver Results – Execute the country sales plan, contribute insights to strategic reviews, and achieve regional objectives.

✅ Lead & Empower – Build, motivate, and develop a high-performing sales team with clear goals and a customer-first mindset.

✅ Own the Market – Take direct ownership of key customers, expand our customer base, and uncover new opportunities for growth.

✅ Data-Driven Decisions – Manage customer segmentation, analyze trends, and maximize marketing campaign outcomes.

✅ Collaborate & Influence – Work closely with stakeholders in a highly matrixed organization to drive profitability and efficiency.

✅ Be the Face of RS – Represent us at roadshows, expos, and customer events to strengthen relationships and brand presence.

How you make a difference in this role:

You make a difference by driving significant sales growth through effective relationship building and strategic planning. Your leadership and ability to foster a customer-centric approach ensure the achievement of sales targets and the development of a high-performing sales team.

What experience we expect from you:

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years B2B sales experience, including over 5 years of managing sales team in the Electronic or MRO industry.
• Proven track record in achieving Sales targets.
• Ability to think broadly and in an agile way, identifying opportunities and coaching the team to secure business.
• Self-motivated to develop own agenda aligned with RS strategy and work independently.
• Proven track record in building, retaining and motivating a high-performance team, experience of managing a team remotely is an advantage.
• Financial and business awareness with good analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiating and influencing skills.
• Ability to take ownership and set own goals and priorities.
• Capability in business planning and project management.
• Work well under pressure while creating quality output.
• High degree of learning agility and emotional intelligence.
• Appetite to learn and grow within the role.
• Knowledge of SAP and Microsoft packages.
• Language: Native-level Japanese and business-level English proficiency

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Significant local experience in a Sales Management role in a large MRO supplier industry.
• Experience from a complex distribution business or solutions provider.
• Experience with MRO procurement strategy, eProcurement, sourcing solutions, or inventory solutions.
• Knowledge of specific sector customers and/or competitors (e.g., Manufacturing, Automotive, Industrial, Government, Aerospace, Defence, Transport, Utilities and FM).