Business Development Trainee

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading Asian sauce brand as a Business Development Graduate Trainee, where you'll undergo a structured 18-month program focused on developing your leadership skills. Work in a dynamic environment supporting business growth, collaborating with distributors, and participating in key projects that drive market success. Ideal for proactive, motivated graduates eager to take ownership and excel in a multicultural setting.

Benefits

Structured training and rotation plan

Hands-on experience with real commercial projects

Mentorship from experienced leaders

International collaboration opportunities

Pathway to leadership roles

Qualifications

• Recent graduates or candidates with less than 2 years of related experience.
• Passionate about food and cooking culture.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of a European language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support execution of business development plans across key European markets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet business objectives.
• Conduct market and sales performance analysis.

Skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing, Communications

Job description

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Lee Kum Kee is one of the largest Asian sauce brands, and the inventor of the famous Oyster Sauce. The brand features authentic Chinese and Asian-inspired sauces and is loved by Michelin chefs and families around the world. Lee Kum Kee Europe’s vision is to bring the most original Asian flavours to Europe households, and to provide a quality choice for adventurous cooks in the West.

Position Summary

As part of the Lee Kum Kee Global Talent Program, the Business Development Graduate Trainee 2025 will be developed into a future leader through an intensive, structured 18-month journey. Based in London and reporting to the Business Development Manager, the trainee will have opportunities for on-the-job training, cross-functional exposure, project leadership, and mentorship.

The trainee will support business and distribution growth, assist in the creation and execution of commercial strategies, work side-by-side with distributors, and support the delivery of designated P&L targets across various channels.

This role suits individuals who are proactive, entrepreneurial, fast learners, and passionate about growing in a multi-faceted international business environment.

We are looking for those who demonstrate the potential and aspiration to grow into future leadership roles within Lee Kum Kee.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the execution of business development plans across key European markets to drive growth in mainstream channels.
• Work closely with distributors to support business planning, implement strategic initiatives, and coordinate successful new product launches.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and delivery of business objectives.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and deliver against defined business goals and timelines.
• Conduct market and sales performance analysis to identify opportunities, challenges, and generate actionable insights for business planning.
• Participate in key customer and distributor meetings, supporting the Business Development Managers in driving customer engagement and execution.
• Monitor category trends, competitive activity, and channel developments to support strategy refinement and market responsiveness.

What You’ll Gain

• Structured rotation and training plan, with exposure to sales, marketing, and operations
• Hands-on experience managing distributor relationships and working on live commercial projects
• Direct mentorship from experienced leaders
• International exposure through collaboration with global teams
• A pathway to future leadership opportunities within the business

Requirements and Skills

Education:

• Fresh graduate (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) or with less than 2 years of work experience, preferably in Business, Management, Marketing, Communications, or related fields.
• Highly proactive, curious, and self-motivated individual who takes ownership of learning and driving results.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Agile and resilient in a fast-paced, multi-cultural business environment.
• Analytical and creative thinker with a problem-solving mindset.
• Fluent in both spoken and written English. Knowledge of a European language is advantageous.
• Other: Passionate about food and cooking culture. Willing to travel occasionally for business needs.
• At Lee Kum Kee, career progression is a key focus of the Graduate Trainee Programme. Trainees who demonstrate strong potential, learning agility, and leadership capabilities will have clear opportunities to grow and develop into future leaders, contributing meaningfully to the company's long-term success.