Sales manager

Careers @ Focal Search; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Careers @ Focal Search is seeking an experienced Sales & Business Development professional to drive revenue and growth across the APAC region in the maritime sector. You will identify opportunities, manage full sales cycles, and coordinate with technical teams to deliver tailored software solutions.

The role requires strong relationship management, navigation of lengthy sales cycles, and willingness to travel across APAC.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Maritime Studies, Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant sales and business development experience.
• Proven experience in B2B sales and business development, preferably serving shipowners, ship managers, shipyards or similar maritime/offshore customers.
• Good understanding of the maritime industry, vessel operations or marine technology is advantageous.
• Strong commercial, negotiation and customer relationship management skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to collaborate with international teams.
• Customer-focused, resilient and persistent during lengthy sales cycles and complex requirements.
• Able to read basic technical drawings and understand technical information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant IT tools.
• Willingness to travel within APAC and overseas as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve sales targets across the APAC region.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities with shipowners, ship managers, shipyards and other maritime/offshore organisations.
• Manage the full sales cycle from lead generation to proposal, negotiation and closing.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and provide regular updates on activities and market developments.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with shipowners, ship managers, shipyards and other maritime stakeholders.
• Understand customers' operational and technical requirements and recommend suitable software solutions.
• Act as a key contact for customers and coordinate with internal technical teams on product queries.
• Develop long-term customer relationships to support repeat business and account growth.
• Identify market opportunities and monitor APAC industry trends.
• Represent the company at maritime exhibitions and networking events.
• Support marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and expand the customer base.
• Develop and maintain a strong professional network within maritime and offshore sectors.
• Collaborate with international teams to ensure effective engagement and delivery of solutions.
• Prepare sales reports, forecasts and business development updates as required.

Skills

Sales & BD

B2B sales

Customer relationship management

Negotiation

Communication

Independent working

Travel readiness

Microsoft Office

Education

Maritime/Marine Engineering/Electrical Engineering/Automation Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve agreed sales targets across the APAC region.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities with shipowners, ship managers, shipyards and other relevant maritime and offshore organisations.
• Manage the full sales cycle, from lead generation and customer engagement through proposal, negotiation and closing.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and provide regular updates on sales activities, opportunities and market developments.

Customer & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with shipowners, ship managers, shipyards and other key maritime industry stakeholders.
• Understand customers' operational and technical requirements and recommend suitable software solutions.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers and work with internal technical teams to address product-related queries and requirements.
• Develop long-term customer relationships to support repeat business and account growth.

Market Development & Networking

• Identify new market opportunities and monitor industry trends across the APAC region.
• Represent the company at relevant maritime, offshore and industry exhibitions, conferences, seminars and networking events.
• Support marketing and business development initiatives to increase brand awareness and expand the customer base.
• Develop and maintain a strong professional network within the maritime and offshore sectors.

Regional Collaboration

• Work closely with international sales, technical and support teams across different countries and time zones.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure effective customer engagement and delivery of solutions.
• Prepare sales reports, forecasts and business development updates as required.
• Perform other sales and market development duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Degree or Diploma in Maritime Studies, Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant sales and business development experience, preferably in ship performance, energy management, marine software, electrical engineering, automation or related maritime technology solutions.
• Proven experience in B2B sales and business development, preferably serving shipowners, ship managers, shipyards or other maritime/offshore customers.
• Good understanding of the maritime industry, vessel operations or marine technology will be an advantage.
• Strong commercial, negotiation and customer relationship management skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with international teams.
• Customer-focused, resilient and persistent when managing lengthy sales cycles and complex customer requirements.
• Able to understand technical information and read basic technical drawings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant IT tools.
• Willingness to travel within the APAC region and overseas as required.