Summary The Sales & Operations Associate at Okaya USA's Los Angeles office manages the day-to-day health of an active book of business—coordinating orders, working through logistics, staying on top of supply chain status, and keeping customers informed at every step. Business development is part of the picture, but the majority of the work is making sure existing relationships run smoothly and nothing falls through the cracks. The role sits inside a Japanese trading company specializing in specialty steel and industrial materials. Cross-cultural fluency—with Japanese counterparts, international vendors, and domestic customers in heavy industry and aviation—is part of the daily fabric of the work. This is a role for someone who finds satisfaction in executing well, not just in winning new business—and who understands that in trading, reliability is the product. Duties Develop and manage customer relationships, acting as the primary point of contact Identify customer requirements and source appropriate industrial materials or suppliers Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with vendors and customers Coordinate logistics, delivery timelines, and order fulfillment Receive and input purchase orders into Excel and ERP system Proactively solve problems across purchasing, logistics, and customer service Support business development initiatives and identify new opportunities Star Qualities Owns accounts, not just transactions: Stays connected to the customer relationship long after an order is placed—tracks outcomes, catches problems early, and doesn't consider a task done until the result is right.

Operationally reliable:

Understands that the work lives in the details: accurate ERP entries, timely follow-ups, correct documentation. Treats administrative precision as a competitive advantage, not a chore.

Builds trust across cultures:

Earns confidence from Japanese counterparts and domestic industrial customers alike—reads the room, adjusts register, and doesn't rely on a single communication style.

Numerically sharp under ambiguity:

Comfortable with pricing math, currency conversions, and unit-of-measure translation without needing everything handed to them in a clean format.

Solves unpredictable problems independently:

When a shipment is delayed, a vendor falls through, or a customer changes spec mid-order, figures out the path forward without waiting to be told what to do. Other Requirements Bachelor's degree Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook) Comfortable working in a multicultural and international business environment Preferences 3+ years of relevant B2B sales experience in the US market Familiarity with industrial materials, specialty steel, or related manufacturing sectors Comfort with technical customer conversations involving material specifications and requirements Familiarity with international business practices (currencies, weights/measures, Incoterms) Understanding of PDCA or continuous improvement frameworks Understanding of trading company operations Japanese language proficiency a plus

Pay:

$55,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person