Regional Sales Manager (Japan)

SOFAR OCEAN

Maritime Technology | Ocean Intelligence

About Sofar Ocean

Sofar Ocean is a US-based ocean intelligence and maritime technology company headquartered in San Francisco. It operates the world’s largest private network of real-time ocean sensors, turning ocean data into actionable intelligence for the maritime industry.

Its Wayfinder voyage intelligence platform combines real-time ocean observations, advanced weather forecasting and vessel-performance modelling to help shipowners and operators improve voyage decisions, fleet efficiency, fuel consumption, emissions and weather-risk management.

Sofar Ocean in Japan

Japan is an important growth market for Sofar Ocean. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL Group) is an existing customer and has deployed Wayfinder across its fleet.

The Regional Sales Manager will build on this market presence and expand Sofar Ocean’s business across Japanese shipowners, ship managers, vessel operators and other maritime organisations.

Regional Sales Manager – Japan

Sofar Ocean is seeking an experienced Regional Sales Manager to drive the growth of its Wayfinder solutions across Japan.

This is a market-building and new-business development role, not simply account management. The ideal candidate understands the Japanese shipping market, can open doors with senior decision-makers and convert opportunities into commercial results.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Japan sales and market expansion strategy.

• Build a strong pipeline across shipowners, ship managers, operators, charterers and maritime groups.

• Engage senior decision-makers including CEOs, Presidents, Fleet, Technical and Marine Operations leaders.

• Manage the full enterprise sales cycle from prospecting and qualification through presentations, proposals, negotiations and closing.

• Position Wayfinder’s value in improving vessel efficiency, reducing fuel costs and emissions, managing weather risk and improving voyage economics.

• Build trusted long-term relationships and strategic accounts across Japan’s maritime ecosystem.

• Collaborate with Sofar Ocean’s global Sales, Customer Success, Product, Marketing and technical teams.

• Maintain disciplined pipeline forecasting and represent Sofar Ocean at relevant maritime events and client meetings in Japan.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Maritime Studies, Engineering, Technology, International Business or related discipline.

• Minimum 7 years’ B2B enterprise / solution sales experience, preferably in technology, software, SaaS, data or digital solutions.

• Preferably 3–5+ years within shipping, maritime technology or a related maritime sector.

• Proven success in new-market development, pipeline building and closing complex enterprise deals.

• Strong knowledge of the Japanese shipping and maritime market, ideally with an established senior industry network.

• Knowledge of fleet operations, voyage optimisation, maritime digitalisation, vessel performance, fuel efficiency or decarbonisation is advantageous.

• Strong hunter / market-builder mindset with the ability to work independently in a remote, international environment.

• Willing and able to travel regularly within Japan, particularly Tokyo.

Language Requirement – Essential

Effectively bilingual in Japanese and English.

Japanese: Native, near-native or professional business fluency in written and spoken Japanese, with the ability to negotiate and build senior-level relationships.

English: Strong professional business fluency to work effectively with Sofar Ocean’s US and international leadership, Sales, Product and technical teams.

For non-native Japanese speakers, JLPT N1 or equivalent business proficiency is strongly preferred.

Compensation & Work Arrangement

Base Salary: SGD 10,000 per month
Performance Bonus: Approximately 2–3 months
Work Arrangement: Remote / Work From Home
Market Coverage: Japan, with significant client engagement in Tokyo