Lead Distributor Growth – APAC & Middle East

About the role

We are seeking a senior leader to drive distributor growth across APAC and the Middle East for a globally recognised consumer brand. The role will shape the regional expansion strategy, strengthen partnerships and ensure the right product mix reaches each market.

Key responsibilities

• Lead distributor performance across GCC, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other priority markets.
• Embed a unified “one‑face‑to‑market” approach, aligning distributor activities with corporate objectives.
• Conduct regular business reviews, identify gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Drive sell‑in, sell‑out, forecasting and trade investment discipline across the network.
• Act as the primary liaison between distributors and internal functions 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 safeguarding 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 managing 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.
• Comfortable influencing stakeholders across complex international organisations.

Required skills

• Strong financial analysis and forecasting.
• Margin management.
• Strategic business planning.