Strategy Development Head (FMCG)

Our client is a leading-invested food manufacturing company, recognized for its commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability. 

A Strategy Development Director is a pivotal role in leading the development and implementation of the company's strategic initiatives. Setting up this new role aims at increasing company's mid & long-term GPS (Growth, PAT and Share), identify and drive transformational opportunities including organic initiatives and new business development, M&A etc.

Key Responsibilities:

• Knowledge & Insights - The Strategy Development Director is responsible for obtaining and evaluating information about industry and market trends, competitive analysis and possible business opportunities.
• Strategy Development Process - setting mid-term or long-term business strategy is a collaborative process conducted by a team of leaders. A strategy might include decisions about entering new markets, developing products or stopping production of existing products. The Strategy Development Director should support CEO and Division GMs in mid-term and long-term strategy development process though he/she may also contribute to short-term tactical discussions. In the strategy development process, he/she mainly focuses on the following activities:

1. Develop and align with the executive team on recommendation of strategy development processes especially for mid-term and long-term strategies.
2. Facilitate the strategy development process together with the executive team.
3. Contribute insights derived from his/her knowledge and analysis of the industry and competitors.
4. Make recommendations and tests ideas that are put forward by other members of the executive team.
5. Draft strategy papers and presentations to be made to the Board or other key stakeholders in the company.  

• Planning and Execution

1. Once the mid-term or long-term strategy is identified, The Strategy Development Director works with Executives to do regular tracking and review of aligned strategies to ensure the strategies are implemented.
2. If the strategy does not work well, the Strategy Development Director should step in to do diagnosis together with the related business leader, and identify revisions of strategy to meet the business goals.
3. If necessary, the Strategy Development Director may be assigned to take responsibility for the delivery of a particular project that forms part of the strategy, such as the development of a new product or service or expansion into a new territory.
4. The Strategy Development Director may be asked to supervise ad hoc research projects or feasibility studies that do not clearly fall within an existing business unit.
5. The Strategy Development Director support CEO and GMs to sharpen the business presentations for important meetings.

• M&A
  The Strategy Development Director may work with CEO and Division GMs to search possible M&A, partnership or other strategic alliance opportunities, do proper market/competitor/trend analysis and feasibility study, and recommends to senior executive on any M&A initiatives to support the organization's mid-long-term growth and expansion.
• Overall, the role of a Strategy Development Director is critical in shaping the mid-long-term success and competitiveness of an organization. They must possess strong strategic, analytical, leadership, and communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of business strategy and market dynamics.

Key Leadership Competencies: 

• Strategic agility
• Dealing with ambiguity
• Planning and P&L management
• Stakeholder communication and influence
• Drive for results

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills:

• With full picture perspective, being analytical while balancing with creativity (out of the box), versatility (can deal with ambiguity) and not easily get flustered (can deal with stress & ambiguity and with self-initiative)
• Important traits: strategic thoughts, strong analytical skill, curiosity; can make things happen with EQ
• >8 years of experience preferred in reputable consulting firms, or key positions in planning, marketing, strategic project management in multi-national companies
• Strong experiences and insights in China consumer goods industry, familiar with consumer goods route-to-market business model and financial analysis/management
• Be well versed in developing analytical and executive reports.
• Strong communication and presentation skills (both verbal and written). Able to shape and articulate strategic initiatives to senior management
• Prefer master's degree in business administration.
• Able to work in a matrix and collaborative environment.
• Good command of spoken and written English.