Business Development Manager - Asia

We are seeking a commercially driven and entrepreneurial sales leader to accelerate growth across one of the most dynamic sectors in health and nutrition - dietary supplements, functional ingredients, and science-backed wellness solutions.

This role will lead strategic business development across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea, helping expand market presence, deepen customer partnerships, and unlock new opportunities with leading supplement brands, contract manufacturers, and health-focused food and beverage companies.

The ideal candidate combines strong commercial instincts with deep knowledge of nutraceuticals, functional ingredients, and wellness trends. They are highly relationship-oriented, thrive in fast-moving regional markets, and have a proven ability to translate consumer health trends into profitable commercial growth.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping regional growth within a rapidly expanding category driven by innovation, preventive health, and consumer demand for better-for-you products.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Business Development

• Develop and execute regional commercial strategies to achieve annual revenue and margin targets.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea.
• Drive market penetration and business expansion in strategic food and beverage segments.
• Build long-term partnerships with multinational, regional, and local customers.

Key Account Management

• Manage strategic global and regional accounts across the region.
• Coordinate cross-functional account strategies with country sales leaders and internal stakeholders.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and contract discussions.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and relationship management.

Distributor & Channel Management

• Appoint, manage, and evaluate distributors within assigned markets.
• Develop distributor growth plans, performance metrics, and market development initiatives.
• Support channel partners with business development programs and customer engagement activities.

Commercial Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities.
• Develop country-level business plans and go-to-market strategies.
• Forecast sales demand and support supply chain coordination.
• Contribute to portfolio positioning and pricing optimization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with technical, applications, regulatory, marketing, and supply chain teams to deliver customer solutions.
• Support technical presentations, innovation workshops, roadshows, and customer-facing initiatives.
• Collaborate internally to ensure successful execution of commercial priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Business, or related field.
• MBA or advanced business degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive commercial experience in the food ingredients, nutrition, or specialty ingredients industry.
• Strong understanding of food and beverage applications, ingredient solutions, and regional market dynamics.
• Proven success managing multinational accounts and distributor networks.
• Experience working across Southeast Asia; exposure to Japan and Korea strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel internationally across the region.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic account management
• Business development and market expansion
• Distributor management
• Pricing and commercial strategy
• Cross-cultural communication
• Forecasting and pipeline management
• Customer relationship management
• Collaboration and influence across matrix organizations

Success Metrics

• Achievement of regional revenue and profitability targets
• Growth of strategic accounts and market share
• Expansion of new business opportunities and customer pipeline
• Distributor performance and regional coverage
• Customer retention and satisfaction
• Effective execution of regional commercial strategies