Lead Distributor Growth Across APAC & the Middle East

About the role

Join a globally recognised consumer brand as the Lead Distributor Growth professional for APAC and the Middle East. You will be responsible for strengthening distributor partnerships, implementing a unified route‑to‑market strategy and ensuring each market receives the right product mix.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and develop key distributor relationships across the GCC, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other priority markets.
• Embed a consistent “one‑face‑to‑market” approach, aligning distributor activity with the wider organisation.
• Review market needs and ensure each country is served with the appropriate product range.
• Conduct regular business reviews, identify performance gaps and agree corrective actions.
• Drive sell‑in, sell‑out, forecasting and trade‑investment discipline across the distributor network.
• Act as the primary liaison between distributors and internal teams such as Marketing, Supply Chain and Product.
• Lead and develop the regional sales team, including Area Sales Managers and market coordinators.
• Deliver regional sales, margin and distributor performance targets while protecting long‑term brand health.
• Provide market, customer and channel insights to support regional and global decision‑making.

Required profile

• 10+ years of commercial experience in FMCG or premium consumer goods.
• Extensive experience managing distributor markets in both APAC and the Middle East, with at least 5 years in GCC (UAE or KSA).
• Proven ability to improve distributor performance through structured business planning and commercial reviews.
• Experience overseeing a regional P&L with strong financial, forecasting and margin management capabilities.
• Commercially minded with a balance of short‑term delivery and long‑term brand development.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, able to influence senior partners without direct authority.

Required skills