About ShipIn
ShipIn Systems is redefining how the maritime industry understands, manages, and reduces operational risk. Our AI-powered visual fleet intelligence platform connects onboard video with shore-based teams, turning everyday vessel operations into actionable insight that helps prevent incidents before they escalate.
We work with many of the world’s leading shipowners and operators to bring greater visibility, accountability, and learning into daily operations at sea. The result is safer crews, stronger performance, and smarter decision-making across global fleets.
If you’re drawn to complex, real-world industries and want to build technology that changes behavior and improves safety at scale, join us.
The Opportunity
We are looking for our first dedicated Japan Country Manager - a foundational hire who will own the end-to-end commercial relationship with Japan-based shipping companies, P&I clubs, ship managers, and industry associations. This role is equal parts relationship builder, commercial closer, and market intelligence hub for ShipIn's global leadership team.
What You’ll Do
Market Development & Pipeline
- Own and grow the Japan new logo pipeline
- Develop and execute an account-based outreach strategy targeting Tier 1 Japan-headquartered operators
- Build and activate channel relationships with Japan P&I Club, ClassNK, and maritime associations to generate inbound pipeline and subsidized pilots
Enterprise Sales Execution
- Lead the full commercial cycle from discovery through contract signature for Japan accounts
- Run tailored FleetVision demonstrations aligned to Japanese operator pain points
- Navigate multi-stakeholder environments (Head of Safety, Head of Technical, Fleet Director, CFO) with patience and credibility
- Structure pilot agreements and success criteria in collaboration with ShipIn's Customer Success team, setting the foundation for vessel-count expansion
- Account Expansion & Retention
- Drive expansion within signed Japan accounts — growing vessel coverage and adding modules (Safety, Bridge, Technical/Machinery, CargoVision)
- Maintain high-quality customer relationships
- Represent the voice of Japan customers internally to Product, CS, and leadership
- Market Intelligence & Strategy
- Serve as ShipIn’s primary intelligence source on Japan market dynamics: competitor positioning, regulatory changes, fleet investment trends, and key personnel moves
- Build and maintain a Japan-specific account map: prioritized target list, relationship status, and opportunity sizing
- Contribute to ShipIn’s charter partnership motion by identifying Japan-based cargo owners, commodity traders, and charterers as demand-pull participants
- Represent ShipIn at Japan and North Asia maritime events (Delos, ClassNK forums, JSSU, regional P&I days)
What We’re Looking For
- Native Japanese language ability; professional business English required
- 8+ years of B2B sales or business development experience, with at least 3 years selling into the maritime industry in Japan
- Established relationships with decision-makers at Japan-based shipping companies, ship managers, or maritime service providers
- Track record of closing multi-year SaaS or technology contracts in a consultative, relationship-led sales environment
- Ability to operate independently as a regional lead while coordinating closely with a globally distributed team (EST/CET time zones)
- Strong executive presence: able to engage credibly at Head of Safety, Head of Technical, or C-suite level
- Strongly Preferred
- Prior experience selling AI, analytics, or monitoring technology into maritime, energy, or industrial verticals
- Experience working with Korean shipping stakeholders (proximity to Korean operators is a natural extension of this role)
- Seagoing or maritime operations background
- Familiarity with vessel vetting frameworks and how safety technology maps to audit outcomes
Character Profile
The person who thrives in this role will be a trusted relationship builder with the patience for Japan’s relationship-first commercial culture, the credibility to walk into a Tier 1 operator’s Tokyo office and be taken seriously, and the drive of an entrepreneurial closer who builds a market from the ground up. You will be ShipIn’s face in Japan.
This is a fully remote role based in Japan.