In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, strong sales professionals are the driving force behind international expansion. For global companies looking to enter or grow in Asia, recruiting sales professionals in Singapore is a strategic move.

Singapore’s pro-business climate, multilingual workforce, and status as a gateway to Southeast Asia make it a top location for building high-performing sales teams. However, recruiting in Singapore – especially without a local entity – comes with regulatory and compliance challenges. That’s where Employer of Record (EOR) solutions can help.

This guide will walk you through why Singapore is a prime market for sales recruitment, the best roles to target, and how to use an EOR company to hire remote employees and remain fully compliant with Singapore’s employment laws.

Why Hire Sales Professionals in Singapore?

1. Business-Friendly Environment

Singapore consistently ranks among the top global economies for ease of doing business. It has strong legal protections for companies, a well-established tax system, and a highly developed infrastructure.

2. Multilingual and Culturally Diverse Talent

Sales roles often require excellent communication and relationship-building skills. Singapore’s workforce is fluent in English, Mandarin, and other regional languages, making it ideal for engaging clients across APAC.

3. Regional Hub for Multinational Companies

Top global brands have their APAC sales headquarters in Singapore, which makes the talent pool experienced and competitive.

4. Technology-Driven Sales Ecosystem

From SaaS to fintech and manufacturing, Singapore is home to many technology-driven businesses where consultative and technical sales are in high demand.

In-Demand Sales Roles in Singapore

When recruiting sales professionals in Singapore, global employers often seek:

• Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
  
• Account Executives (AEs)
  
• Business Development Managers (BDMs)
  
• Enterprise Sales Consultants
  
• Sales Engineers (Technical Pre-Sales)
  
• Regional Sales Directors
  
• Customer Success Managers (with upselling responsibility)
  

These roles typically require deep industry knowledge, strong client engagement skills, and a results-driven mindset. Compensation packages in Singapore often include a base salary plus commissions or performance bonuses.

Challenges of Hiring Sales Professionals Without a Local Entity

Hiring employees directly in Singapore requires setting up a registered local entity, filing corporate taxes, handling CPF (Central Provident Fund) contributions, and meeting statutory employment requirements.

Without a local company:

• You can’t legally issue employment contracts
  
• You can’t run local payroll or contribute to CPF
  
• You risk misclassifying workers as contractors
  
• You may face penalties for non-compliance
  

To avoid these legal and financial risks, many global companies turn to an Employer of Record (EOR).

What Is an Employer of Record (EOR)?

An Employer of Record is a third-party service provider that becomes the legal employer of your staff in a foreign country. The EOR company hires your chosen candidate on your behalf, while you manage their day-to-day responsibilities.

This approach enables companies to hire remote employees in Singapore without setting up a local entity.

An EOR handles:

• Employment contracts aligned with local laws
  
• Payroll processing and tax compliance
  
• CPF contributions and statutory benefits
  
• Onboarding, termination, and employee documentation
  
• Global employment solutions for multi-country hiring
  

Benefits of Using an EOR to Hire Sales Talent in Singapore

Speed and Simplicity

Skip the long process of entity registration and get your sales reps hired and onboarded in a matter of days.

Local Compliance

Singapore has specific labor laws around CPF, maternity leave, termination notice, and benefits. A trusted EOR company ensures full compliance.

International Payroll Services

The EOR handles accurate and timely salary disbursement in local currency, including tax deductions and statutory contributions.

Flexible Scaling

Whether you’re hiring one BDM or an entire regional sales team, top EOR providers can scale with your business needs.

Risk Mitigation

Avoid fines, legal disputes, and reputational damage with contracts, HR policies, and payroll processes that meet local regulations.

Steps to Recruit and Hire Sales Professionals in Singapore Using an EOR

Step 1: Choose a Specialized EOR Partner

Look for an EOR with strong expertise in sales recruitment, payroll outsourcing, and compliance in Singapore.

Step 2: Identify the Right Talent

Source candidates using job portals, recruitment agencies, or referrals. You can also leverage the EOR’s local hiring network for better reach.

Step 3: Offer and Onboard

Once you select your candidate, the EOR prepares and signs a compliant employment contract. They handle onboarding and benefits enrollment.

Step 4: Set Up Payroll

Your sales employee is paid via the EOR’s international payroll services, with CPF contributions, income tax, and bonuses managed according to Singapore law.

Step 5: Focus on Sales Performance

While the EOR handles HR, legal, and compliance, you manage the employee’s targets, KPIs, and day-to-day activities.

Legal Considerations for Hiring in Singapore

If you’re planning to build a long-term sales team, you’ll need to adhere to the following local employment regulations:

• CPF Contributions: Employers and employees must both contribute a percentage of wages to the Central Provident Fund.
  
• Tax Compliance: Singapore has a progressive income tax system; employers must withhold and report accordingly.
  
• Employment Contracts: Must include clauses on notice periods, working hours, salary, and statutory leave.
  
• Termination Procedures: Must follow Ministry of Manpower (MOM) guidelines.
  

An EOR ensures that all these obligations are handled efficiently.

How to Choose the Best Employer of Record in Singapore

Here’s what to look for:

• Proven success in hiring sales professionals
  
• Transparent fee structure for payroll outsourcing
  
• Deep understanding of Singapore labor laws
  
• Multilingual support team for smooth communication
  
• Experience offering global employment solutions
  

Ready to Build a Sales Team in Singapore?

Expanding your sales operations into Southeast Asia starts with the right people. With Team Apac as your Employer of Record, you can focus on growing your revenue while we handle the legal and administrative complexity of hiring in Singapore.

Our experienced team provides seamless EOR support, local expertise, and compliant international payroll services to help you tap into Singapore’s dynamic sales talent pool – without the cost or delay of entity setup.

Let Team Apac help you recruit top sales professionals in Singapore the right way – compliantly, quickly, and confidently.