Outside Sales Representative – Japanese Bilingual

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Compensation: $70,000-$100,000 annually, DOE; potential company performance bonus

Hours: Full-time; schedule varies based on customer visits and travel

Employment Type: Full-time, field-based/outside sales

Travel: Regular Midwest travel, primarily OH, IL, KY, and MI

Japanese language ability required due to regular communication with manufacturers and suppliers in Japan.

※Applications will only be considered from candidates who meet the listed job-related qualifications. Please review thoroughly before submitting your application. ※

Company Overview

An established U.S. distributor representing multiple manufacturers is seeking an Outside Sales Representative to support continued business growth. The company serves both Japanese and non-Japanese customers, with a strong presence in the automotive sector and a long-tenured sales organization.

Position Summary

This role primarily focuses on managing and supporting existing customer accounts while developing strong relationships with customers and suppliers. The ideal candidate is a strong listener who can accurately understand customer needs, communicate information internally and externally, and provide responsive account support.

Regular Japanese communication is required for coordination with manufacturers and suppliers in Japan.

Key Responsibilities

• Visit customers, prospects, and suppliers throughout the assigned territory
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing accounts
• Identify customer needs and communicate product and service solutions
• Prepare and revise quotations, presentations, and sales materials
• Obtain and verify customer forecasts and support inventory planning
• Monitor sales, profitability, inventory, payment performance, and account conditions
• Coordinate customer orders, deposits, balances, and related account matters
• Communicate regularly with domestic and Japan-based suppliers regarding forecasts, customer needs, products, and issues
• Prepare trip reports and provide updates during sales meetings
• Monitor competitors, products, and market conditions
• Collaborate closely with inside sales and other departments
• Support ISO 9001-related requirements

Qualifications

Required:

• Japanese language ability required for business communication with Japan-based suppliers
• Strong English communication skills
• Outside sales, account management, or relevant customer-facing B2B experience
• Strong listening, relationship-building, and information-gathering skills
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the Midwest
• Ability to manage customer, sales, forecast, and inventory information accurately

Preferred:

• Automotive industry or automotive supplier experience
• Experience working with manufacturers, distributors, or industrial products
• Experience managing established customer accounts

Other Details

• Primary focus is existing-account support rather than aggressive new-business development
• Overnight travel is typically limited, generally up to approximately one trip per week
• Potential annual company-performance bonus
• Position reports to the Sales Manager
• Two-step interview process: initial virtual interview followed by an onsite interview

※This role may include additional responsibilities as needed based on business needs. ※