Country Head - Bangladesh

1Job Purpose

The Country Head Bangladesh will lead the development, and expansion of the company's business in Bangladesh, with end-to-end responsibility for market entry strategy, commercial operations, distribution network development, brand building, revenue growth, and long-term profitability. The successful candidate will work closely with regional and corporate teams to translate the company's growth ambitions into a commercially viable and scalable Bangladesh business.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Market Expansion Strategy and Business Development

• Develop the Bangladesh market expansion strategy in alignment with the company's overall business objectives.
• Conduct comprehensive market assessments covering category size, consumer demand, market growth, competitive landscape, price points, distribution structures, and channel opportunities.
• Evaluate opportunities across urban and semi-urban markets, with a phased approach to nationwide expansion.
• Recommend the most appropriate go-to-market model, including direct exports, importer-distributor arrangements, local distribution partnerships, contract manufacturing, or local manufacturing, as commercially appropriate.
• Monitor competitor activity, pricing strategies, product launches, and consumer trends to identify opportunities for differentiation and growth.

B. Distributor Identification and Route-to-Market Development

• Assess potential partners on financial strength, market reach, distribution capabilities, warehousing, sales force effectiveness, category experience, and market reputation.
• Develop the country's route-to-market strategy, including channel segmentation, geographic coverage, distributor territories, and distribution economics.
• Build relationships with wholesalers, retailers, modern trade chains, key accounts, e-commerce platforms, and institutional customers.
• Develop a phased distribution rollout plan, prioritizing high-potential markets and channels.
• Drive expansion in numeric distribution, weighted distribution, outlet coverage, and sales productivity.

C. Sales Development and Commercial Execution

• Build and execute the national sales plan to achieve agreed revenue, volume, distribution, and profitability objectives.
• Develop sales processes, territory structures, field force requirements, beat plans, and reporting systems.
• Develop trade schemes, retailer incentives, merchandising programs, and promotional calendars suited to local market conditions.

D. Brand Building and Marketing Localization

• Develop a localized marketing strategy in collaboration with regional and corporate marketing teams.
• Establish brand-building priorities and allocate marketing investments based on growth potential and measurable returns.
• Develop trade marketing initiatives to improve product visibility, retail recommendation, availability, and consumer conversion.
• Build a strong feedback loop between local consumers, distributors, retailers, and the company's product and marketing teams.

E. Supply Chain and Operational Setup

• Manage the entire supply chain operations in coordination with regional manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and planning teams.
• Prepare demand forecasts, launch volume plans, replenishment cycles, safety stock policies, and inventory targets.
• Manage third-party logistics providers, storage facilities, and distribution infrastructure.
• Build contingency plans for supply disruptions, logistics challenges, and changes in trade regulations.

F. Financial Planning and P&L Management

• Prepare the country business plan, annual budget, launch investment plan, and rolling financial forecasts.
• Manage country P&L performance, cash flow, working capital, distributor credit, receivables, and inventory exposure.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and revise plans based on market response and business economics.
• Establish clear financial reporting, internal controls, approval limits, and periodic business reviews.
• Develop a phased path to profitability with realistic assumptions regarding launch costs, distribution expansion, and revenue ramp-up.

G. Organization Building and Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and lead key personnel as required by the operating model.
• Build a performance-driven, customer-focused, and entrepreneurial culture.
• Develop local talent and succession plans as the business grows.

4. Qualifications and Experience

• MBA in Sales & Marketing from a recognized university/institute
• 15+ years of progressive FMCG experience, with substantial responsibility in sales, business development, commercial strategy, or general management.
• Working experience in Bangladesh is necessary.
• Strong leadership capabilities, entrepreneurial mindset, negotiation skills, and execution discipline.