Reporting Relationship : Managing Director

Responsibilities:

•  The Commercial Director, China will oversee all activities in the China market (sales, marketing, distribution and logistics), and be responsible for managing the optimization of business opportunities in China .

•  This individual will lead commercial and business development activities, and the implementation of effective business plans and strategies to achieve the agreed commercial targets and objectives in China . They will manage a lean team of 10-15 people, and report to the Chairman of the Asian activities.

•  The role will focus on elaborating marketing plans for existing and new products, expanding and strengthening the distribution network, and developing the local team.

Business Development

•  Maximize business development opportunities in China by developing and implementing new projects through collaborating resources and support from Headquarters and Asia to ensure that new product portfolios which suit the unique characteristics of the market are identified.

•  Propose, implement & analyze feasibility studies and programs to help identify new projects that have high marketing potential in China .

•  Contribute to solicit support / input on rolling project testing in China to ascertain market potential and propose alternative modification of projects.

•  Proceed & implement projects and monitor progress in conjunction with the area marketing and coordination with relevant functional departments to help resolve any implementation problems and related issues.

•  Organize periodic progress reports on the projects & manage effective communication on the result/progress to the area management.

•  Devote to providing constant evaluation and interpretation of key business drivers and measurements such as, market, products, services, competition and financial indicators to identify or create new business development opportunities in China to the best interest of the company.

•  Commit to continuous monitoring of the market dynamics to enable valid identification of new business development opportunities in China .

•  Deliver comprehensive analysis of the market economies & competitive situation (competitive edge, portfolio development etc.) & recommend constructive business development proposals.

•  Study segmentation of the market and propose portfolio development opportunities in categories where there is currently little or no involvement.

•  Investigate expansion opportunities in terms of acquiring companies or brands in China .

Commercial Operation

•  Optimize business opportunities in major/high priority cities in China . Ensure freshness of products by managing distributor's performance, ensuring the distributor's full support and understanding of the company's standards and requirements.

•  Develop annual and medium term budget (3-year plans) in close co-ordination with area marketing & distributors, & contribute to the achievement of targets.

•  Develop the distribution network by increasing distribution networks & penetration by expanding on distribution coverage.

•  Develop rapport with distributor to ensure effective working relationships.

•  Organize training sessions/sales seminars on brand strategies, product information, merchandising, product quality & freshness standards for distributor/wholesalers to ensure understanding & compliance with the company's standards.

•  Propose and implement sound pricing policies to optimize business results & protect the brand image.

•  Develop order plan forecasts, manage on-going order placements, & manage/coordinate on deliveries to avoid over &/or out of stock situations.

•  Manage inventory levels, stock maintenance & rotations to ensure optimum freshness of products.

•  Elaborate 3-year marketing plans for existing products already in the market, & experimentation plans for future product launches.

Managing anti-counterfeit activities

•  Contribute to building a powerful conceptual framework useful for guiding the effective implementation of modern trade management know-how across key accounts. Identify the key systems and methods needed to strengthen the positive impacts of products in the domestic markets. Maximize trade performance by diagnosing and transferring the best implementation practices of merchandising expertise to enhance the execution of corporate values/norms and eventual achievement of business targets.

•  Create awareness and demand for the company's products by managing the implementation of trade promotions/marketing activities, coordinate and contribute to the development and implementation of consumer promotions, thematic and sponsorship related marketing programs for China . Work closely with area marketing personnel in the development of marketing strategies, ensuring that unique requirements for China are taken into consideration in the development of appropriate strategies and marketing programs.

•  Coordinate & manage the development & implementation of trade promotions/marketing activities and manage related budgeted expenses in conjunction with area marketing team.

•  Contribute towards & coordinate on the development & implementation of merchandising programs and festive displays in store.

•  Optimize on the utilization of financial assets by developing the budgets, managing and monitoring implementation, and ensure that financial assets allocated are deployed effectively in achieving objectives of the department.

•  Develop, coordinate, monitor & implement budgets.

•  Ensure authorization of expenses complies with approved processes and procedures.

•  Contribute to quality performance of staff by providing direction, guidance, and development opportunities to subordinates, developing staff morale and a congenial work environment for productivity. Coordinate functions to ensure achievement of department objectives, as well as frequent liaison and collaboration with other department functions.

•  Ensure subordinates' understanding of the objectives or priorities in accordance with the business plans.

•  Provide guidance to subordinates on the effective application & use of functional and management tools, the content of activities, & resolution of problems/issues.

•  Monitor staff performance, provide constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, & provide opportunities for development.

•  Manage proper delegation of responsibilities and ensure appropriate staffing.

•  Liaison with other department heads/relevant personnel in the appropriate sharing of information, coordination of activities to ensure organization objectives are achieved, & issues resolved.

•  Solicit support, develop rapport & effective working relationship with relevant personnel, such as, counterparts, users of department's services and/or programs, or internal service providers, as appropriate.

Qualifications :

•  The Commercial Director, China will be an experienced sales and marketing executive fully familiarized with the local culture and business community in China .

•  He/She will have developed the right network and experience to be successful in expanding the companies presence in China .

•  The incumbent must be fully comfortable with working in a bi-cultural setting, and ideally will have prior experience in a European environment.

•  Candidates will have a minimum of 10-15 year's commercial experience in the FMCG (food or non-food sectors), of which at least 3-5 years will have been in China .

•  He/She will have a combination of marketing and sales expertise. A solid grounding in marketing as well as merchandising tools and techniques is highly preferred.

•  He/She will be familiar with local consumer habits, trade, distribution, wholesalers as well as relevant government agencies, and distribution processes, rules and regulations.

•  The Commercial Director, China must be a practical, hands-on individual capable of creating shareholders value.

•  He/She will be a natural leader with excellent interpersonal skills and a true believer in teamwork. He/she will be flexible, honest and fair, committed to quality, persistent, and intellectually and culturally open.

•  He/She must be able to understand and articulate the importance of product differentiation, and the immense importance of product quality (this is not a mass brand). The individual must also be able to see and realize the future for the brands in China .

•  The incumbent will be a university graduate, preferably with a degree in economics or business administration. English and Mandarin language skills are compulsory. Stability is also a major criterion.