General Manager, North America (Bilingual Japanese/English)
Overview
Job Description
Lead Hobonichi Inc. as it becomes a fully operating business in North America, and build the team that will grow the brand here.
About Hobonichi
Hobonichi is the Tokyo company behind the Hobonichi Techo, a planner with one page for every day of the year. Our parent company, Hobonichi Co., Ltd., is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Standard Market, 3560). North and Central America now account for more than a third of Hobonichi Techo sales, and in 2025 we established Hobonichi Inc. in the United States to serve the region more directly.
The Role
We are looking for the first General Manager of Hobonichi Inc. You will lead the U.S. company as a whole: its strategy and P&L, its sales and marketing, and the operations behind them, including finance, people, compliance and logistics.
Reports to: C-level leadership at headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. This role works closely with HQ teams (e.g., Brand, Product, Finance) and includes regular video calls with Tokyo, some of which fall outside standard Pacific business hours. You will lead the U.S. team, including the Sales & Marketing Manager and the HR & Accounting Coordinator.
What You'll Do
- Own the business: Set the North American strategy, annual plan and budget together with headquarters, and take responsibility for the P&L.
- Grow sales: Lead the development of retail, wholesale, distributor and e-commerce channels, including marketplaces such as Amazon, and manage key partner relationships.
- Lead marketing in the region: Guide localized marketing, events and trade shows, and bring the voice of U.S. customers back to the product and brand teams in Tokyo.
- Build and lead the team: Hire, develop and manage the U.S. team; set goals, review performance, and establish how the team works.
- Run the company: Oversee finance and reporting with outside accountants, payroll and benefits with the PEO, and contracts, insurance and regulatory compliance.
- Manage the supply chain: Oversee import, customs, inventory and fulfillment together with logistics partners.
- Report and align: Provide regular business reporting to headquarters, and connect the U.S. market and the teams in Tokyo.
Why Join
- Build from the beginning: Shape the business, the team and the culture of the U.S. company.
- Real ownership: Work directly with C-level leadership at headquarters, with responsibility for the whole North American business.
- A brand people already love: The Techo has an established community of users across North America.
- A thoughtful pace: The company would rather grow slowly and carefully than quickly and carelessly.
Our Process
1. Introductory conversation (30 minutes)
2. Interview with the hiring team (60 minutes)
3. Final interview with C-level leadership at headquarters (video)
We aim to reply to every applicant within five business days.
Hobonichi Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need an accommodation during the application process, please let us know.
Requirements
Must-haves
- 10+ years of experience in consumer products, retail, e-commerce or brand businesses, including responsibility for a business unit, a P&L or a U.S. subsidiary
- 3+ years of managing people, including hiring and performance management
- Hands-on knowledge of U.S. business operations (budgeting, financial reporting, contracts and compliance), working with outside advisors
- A track record of growing sales through retail, wholesale or e-commerce channels in North America
- Native-level Japanese and professional-level English
- Authorization to work in the United States (visa sponsorship is not available for this role)
Nice-to-haves
- Experience as General Manager or Country Manager at the U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese company
- Experience launching or ramping up a new U.S. entity
- Experience with Amazon (Seller or Vendor Central) or Shopify
- Experience with import, customs and third-party logistics
- Experience with stationery, gifts or lifestyle products
Benefits
- Base salary: $100,000 – $180,000, depending on experience
- Health, dental and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Hybrid work in Hermosa Beach, California
(Benefit plans are being finalized.)
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