Import & Export Director

Overview

In this role you will own and drive the commercial strategy for the Middle East & APAC region, focusing on fast-growing beverage markets. You will build distribution, retail partnerships and a capable team to deliver sustainable growth for a global soft drinks business. You’ll negotiate partnerships, open doors with key trade partners, and lead execution across markets while collaborating with cross-functional functions. This is an entrepreneurial, hands-on leadership opportunity in a high-impact, fast-growing brand with regional scale. You will directly shape GTM, profitability and long-term market share in MEA and APAC.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• travel allowances and expenses
• professional development opportunities
• collaborative and supportive culture
• fast-growing brand
• opportunities for career growth

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the MEA commercial growth strategy with ambitious sales, distribution and profitability targets
• Lead growth in priority states by identifying key customers, channels, territories and opportunities
• Design and optimize route-to-market (distributor, wholesale, direct, and DSD)
• Identify, appoint, and manage distribution partners with clear plans and performance metrics
• Cultivate on-premises and off-premises relationships to secure listings, distribution and partnerships
• Negotiate with major retailers and customers, leading joint business plans to accelerate growth
• Own sales forecasting, budgets and commercial performance including revenue, margins and trade investment
• Provide market intelligence and commercial insights to shape strategy across MEA/APAC
• Collaborate with global leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure scaled execution

Key requirements

• Significant commercial experience in MEA beverage markets within US water, soft drinks or FMCG
• Track record of growing sales, distribution and market share in the US or similar markets
• Strong network with distributors, wholesalers, retailers and trade partners in MEA/US
• Deep understanding of route-to-market models including distributors, wholesale, direct sales and DSD
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on leader who builds strategy and executes in-market
• Experience leading high-performing sales teams with ownership of budgets and margins
• Strategic thinker who translates long-term growth into clear, actionable priorities

• entrepreneurial mindset
• strong stakeholder management
• commercial leadership
• route-to-market optimization
• sales forecasting and budgeting
• market intelligence and competitive analysis

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