View Vacancy - HK- SDI Food and Drink Specialist (Hong Kong and South China) C4(L)

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SDI (Scottish Development International)

Main purpose of job

 

Scottish Development International and the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership is looking to recruit a Food & Drink In-Market Specialist based in Hong Kong SAR to join our existing team of 10 food and drink specialists located across the world, whose primary focus is growing Scotland’s food and drink exports.

 

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join this ground breaking partnership and take Scotland's food and drink exports to even greater success. We are looking for a candidate with a proven track record in the food and drink sector, who has established key networks, previously worked with international food and drink companies and who has developed a broad range of activities and support to help them enter the two markets.

 

The Scotland Food and Drink Partnership has a real ambition to drive forward new Scottish food and drink companies to become more global and support existing exporters into new markets. Hong Kong and China have been identified as two of the top prospect markets that offer significant opportunities for Scottish food and drink products and this  appointment highlights the significant opportunities we see in this region for Scottish companies. The succesful candidate will join an existing team of two other Food & Drink colleagues looking after the Greater China market.

 

The successful job holder will be managed by SDI and work as part of the existing Greater China SDI field team and will build close relationships with the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership. This post acts as the link between market opportunities / buyers and Scottish suppliers and whilst the post will be based in Hong Kong there will be an opportunity to work closely with companies and partners in Scotland too. Travel to South China will also be a requisite of this post.

 

The successful applicant will be employed on a fixed term contract until March 2019. The position will be based at SDI’s office in Hong Kong.



Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

     

Customer Relationships

  • Maintain existing relationships and build a strong network of trade contacts in the foodservice and retail sector in Hong Kong and South China with known potential, including importers and distributors, food and beverage retail procurement managers, trade associations, -e-commerce channels, regulators and chefs to help identify new growth opportunities for Scotland and connect Scottish companies with contacts in the market.

 

Market Insight 

  • Fully research the F&D supply chain from port of entry to final foodservice or retail customers to understand each stage and the role of each intermediary.
  • This includes understanding of current market envirornment for Scottish food and drink products in the local markets (price, market share) and understand international competitors
  • Identify the individuals and companies within the supply chain which SDI and the Scotland F&D partnership need to engage with to open up new opportunities for Scotland.
  • Gather market intelligence and regularly report back to partners, to provide further detail on key trends, industry developments, policy updates and opportunities so as to inform Scottish industry.

 

Build Scotland’s Reputation as a Land of Food & Drink

  • In collaboration with marketing colleagues and the Scotland F&D partnership, develop targeted marketing activities to initiate a favourable environment and reputation for the Scottish F&D industry. This will include supporting inward visits to Scotland of buyers, journalists, trade press and potential ministerial visits to Hong Kong and South China.
  • Contribute to SDI and SF&D partners social media activity to promote Scottish food and drink in the local markets. 

 

Company Support

  • Work with colleagues to support Scottish F&D companies with their entry/export strategies by providing market research, intelligence and introductions to business contacts.
  • Work with Scottish F&D companies to support their effective operation in the market, e.g. help find/appoint a distributor etc.

 

Partnership Working

  • Support the development and maintenance of good working relationships with the Scotland F&D partnership and other key partner organisations, stakeholder networks, trade press and business contacts throughout Hong Kong and South China and in Scotland.
  • Highlight opportunities to expand food and drink exports as part of a cross-sector approach and work with relevant partners to deliver.
  • Potentially lead in the ongoing development of the Greater China Food & Drink market plan

 

International Market Events

  • Lead on identifying appropriate market events for Scottish companies to participate in and establish how we can secure maximum benefit from these engagements.
  • Participate in the project team for all F&D international market events taking place in Hong Kong, South China and where appropriate, Greater China.

 

Candidates will be expected to spend time in each market and to travel to Scotland to meet with companies and partners and to attend all relevant training.

Essential on arrival:      

  • Experience of international business;
  • Practical experience in the F&D market/ industry and supply chain in Hong Kong and South China, as well as legislative and regulatory requirements;
  • Extensive networks within the F&D industry in these markets including retailers, importers, distributors, agents, chefs and association leaders;
  • Track record in establishing market entry strategies and developing international business for the F&D industry, either working within the industry or with supporting organisations;
  • Strong relationship managements skills, ideally acquired in a foodservice or retail context;
  • Excellent project management skills from scoping an idea to evaluating the results, with the ability to deliver with pace;
  • Research and analysis skills, acquired in an international market development context;
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
  • Strong team- working ability, with experience of working within a multi partnership context;
  • The ability to work independently, and take personal responsibility for developing and delivering plans to increase F&D exports from Scotland, including developing recommendations for action;
  • Fluency in English and Cantonese, preferably in Mandarin. 

 

  • A knowledge of Scotland and the Scottish F&D industry;
  • Practical experience of working in the economic development environment.
27 July 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
41
Asia Pacific
Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong SAR
British Consulate General
1
HKD
43,477.00
1 September 2017
  • Learning Scottish F&D industry and its products
  • Regular training provided by SDI

All applications must be received on or before 23:55, 27 July 2017.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible.


The British Consulate-General in Hong Kong does not provide visa/ work sponsorship. Applicants must have an appropriate residence status in Hong Kong to be considered. 

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This opportunity is closed to applications.