Informatics Sales Specialist, Japan

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary:                    

As an Informatics Sales Specialist – Japan, you are a key part of the Commercial team, driving the adoption of our cutting-edge informatics solutions across Japan. The role involves pro-actively identifying leads, selling to prospective customers, and growing the adoption and usage of data analysis pipelines, applications and products primarily for use in clinical research or testing, research and academia.

You are passionate about genomics, multiomics, and informatics, and you thrive by leveraging your strategic, commercial mindset to drive opportunities to close and drive sales growth. With a strong background in bioinformatics, you bring hands-on experience with NGS data formats (FASTQ, BAM, VCF), variant calling, annotation, and reporting. You understand bioinformatics workflows and tools, and are familiar with cloud infrastructure and data security (e.g., AWS, Azure).

You are fluent in Japanese and English (written and verbal), and are comfortable engaging with scientific, clinical, and technical audiences including C-level executives, Laboratory Directors, researchers, IT leaders, and data analysts, through your excellent communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Position Responsibilities:

• Drive informatics sales growth through customer adoption and utilization of our Informatics products by providing strategic selling and subject matter expertise during the sales cycle.
• Areas of informatics expertise include, but are not limited to:
  • Secondary analysis
  • Data visualization
  • Cloud based workflows and pipelines
  • Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
  • Analysis, annotation, interpretation and reporting from NGS testing in a clinical research environment (oncology and/or germline)
• Consult with customers on informatics requirements (such as hardware and software required for data analysis), as well as supporting them to evaluate and implement Illumina’s informatics platforms.
• Provide proof-of-concept/proof-of-principle analysis to demonstrate product fit-for-purpose.
• Influence purchasing decisions through scientific insight, stakeholder engagement, commercial strategies, and strategic selling.
• Work closely with other sales team members, including account managers and other sales specialists to make customers successful in genomic data analysis and interpretation.
• Pro-actively develop and manage an active sales pipeline.
• Contribute to annual account manager strategic account management planning process.
• Develop, coordinate and conduct both basic and advanced informatics presentations and seminars for customers. This will include product demos and proof-of-concept work.
• Involve other more technical or supporting roles as needed, to facilitate in-depth demos and other deeper customer assessment or pilot activities to ultimately drive sales.
• Provide Voice of Customer input and feedback to development teams, various marketing teams and others as needed.
• Assist customers to remove informatics barriers that may unlock sample volume, drive sequencing consumables uptake and grow the sales pipeline. This may at times involve creatively addressing customer challenges by employing Illumina professional services capabilities.

Listed responsibilities are an essential, but not exhaustive list of the usual duties associated with the position. Changes to individual responsibilities may occur due to business needs.

Position Requirements:

• Typically 5+ years relevant experience with a bachelor's degree or 3+ years relevant experience with a master's degree. Experience in a direct sales or similar customer facing role.
• Bilingual English and Japanese
• Experience with Sequencing data analysis and interpretation (Variant Calling, filtering, annotation, interpretation and reporting).
• Recognized technical expertise in clinical informatics, bioinformatics or an associated area.
• Knowledge of clinical applications of sequencing, and related data formats, file types, data footprints, and typical analysis methods.
• Experience with common software toolkits, applications, pipelines and algorithms for Next Generation Sequencing analysis, including emerging enterprise platforms.
• Commercial acumen with a demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Recognized strategic selling expertise with informatics/software/SaaS products.
• Ability to successfully work collaboratively in a highly matrixed sales organization.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication and training skills. At ease with communication at senior level in both Japanese and English.
• Travel required in country and occasionally internationally, as per business requirements

All listed requirements are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional tasks and responsibilities. 

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.