A Day in the Life of Mitsumasa Okada, Sales Department
[Behind the Scenes] From Home Appliances to Automotive Parts and Dealers – A Day in the Life of a Sales Team Leader Managing Major Clients
Musashi Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. is looking for talented individuals to join our team.
Sales Department – Mitsumasa Okada
Self-Introduction
Hello, my name is Mitsumasa Okada from the Sales Department at Musashi Paint Co., Ltd.
I joined Musashi Paint in 2006, and it has been 18 years since. After joining, I completed a one-year technical training program. Since then, I have accumulated experience in the Sales Department for five years, Procurement for six years, and then returned to the Sales Department for another seven years.
What kind of work do you do at Musashi Paint?
I handle sales for manufacturers in apparel, housing equipment, and home appliances, as well as automotive parts manufacturers and dealers.
This year, I have taken on the role of Team Leader for the dealer team in the Sales Department.
My responsibilities include expanding sales to existing clients, building and maintaining relationships, developing new business, managing team progress toward goals, and resolving challenges that arise. As a new manager, every day is a learning opportunity.
A Day in the Life of a Sales Team Leader
6:00–6:30 – Leaving Home
I commute by car to the Iruma Factory in Saitama Prefecture, which takes about 1.5–2 hours in the morning. During the commute, I often listen to the radio or music. Occasionally, I use the time to practice language listening to make commuting more productive.
8:30 – Arrival at Office
After morning assembly and 5S activities, I check and respond to emails. Urgent matters are handled via phone calls from colleagues or clients. As a salesperson, I also prepare estimates and proposals. Between tasks, I coordinate with the Development Technology Department to check progress on customer sample requests and discuss technical details. Since I also spend a lot of time visiting clients, I value communication with other departments when I’m in the factory.
10:00 – Client Meetings
Clients visit the office for presentations on environmentally friendly products and factory tours. Presentations are conducted with the Development Technology Department, and tours are coordinated with the Production Department.
12:00 – Lunch Break
While there are company cafeterias and break rooms, I usually spend my lunch at my desk.
13:00 – Travel
I travel by train or company car to afternoon appointments. During train rides, I check emails and messages and make calls while transferring lines.
14:00 – Client Visit (Manufacturer)
I meet with a home appliance manufacturer to discuss color adjustments for new product models. By reviewing sample targets with clients, I gather information on materials, mass-production locations, and scales, then propose suitable paint lines and specifications.
15:00 – Travel
I move to the next client site.
16:00 – Client Visit (Painting Manufacturer)
I visit a painting manufacturer responsible for automotive interior parts. I collect forecasts for future mass-production paints and discuss new projects. I also check for any issues or difficulties in using our products. Providing after-sales support is as important as selling our paint products.
19:00 – End of Work
After travel and administrative tasks, I conclude my day. Depending on the location of clients, I may return home directly from the visit.
20:00 – Arrive Home
I aim to reach home by 8:00 p.m. to spend time with my children, who are seven and five years old. Even on weekdays, I try to play with them and have conversations. Recently, flexible paid leave in one-hour increments has allowed me to better balance family life, and we usually travel together two to three times a year.
How Do You Spend a Typical Week?
I usually have 2–4 client meetings per day, involving proposals, project discussions, and information gathering. With frequent travel, direct-to-client or direct-home visits are common. Planning efficient travel schedules is essential to maximize productivity.
I mainly handle clients in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Northern Kanto, and occasionally travel for business every 2–3 months. Meeting clients in person allows me to better understand their needs and align colors using actual sample paints.
What Do You Find Rewarding About Working at Musashi Paint?
The most motivating aspect is seeing our paint products applied to everyday items, creating visible results.
Rather than simply selling finished products, I work closely with clients on color development and performance improvements. While it requires effort, this hands-on involvement is highly rewarding. Moreover, everyone in the factory is personable, making it a pleasant and supportive workplace.
Message to Readers
Sales in a paint company may seem unfamiliar, but they are actually connected to everyday products.
It is not just about selling products; it involves proposing solutions to realize clients’ visions and resolve challenges. Musashi Paint fosters an environment that encourages people to take on new challenges. If you are even slightly interested, please feel free to visit and learn more.
This overview highlights a day in the life of Mr. Okada, a team leader managing major clients across a variety of industries. Since assuming the dealer team leadership, he has been working closely with different departments to respond carefully to clients’ diverse needs. We hope this gives you a sense of dedication to Mr. Okada, integrity, and the rewarding nature of sales work at Musashi Paint.