Regional Business Development & Partnerships Lead

KOS International Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

KOS International Limited is seeking an international business-development professional to accelerate expansion through distribution, franchise, and strategic retail partnerships across Southeast Asia and the GCC, with focus on Hong Kong and Singapore.

The role also develops select B2B opportunities in the local market, negotiates terms, ensures partner readiness, and drives ongoing performance through annual plans, sell-through analysis, and a network of commercial collaborations.

Qualifications

• At least 6 to 10 years in international business development, wholesale, franchise, distribution, key accounts, or retail expansion.
• Relevant background within fashion, apparel, footwear, accessories, lifestyle, premium consumer goods, or branded retail.
• Demonstrated experience engaging, negotiating, and managing distributors, franchisees, wholesale accounts, or other external partners.
• Existing connections with retail groups, distribution companies, franchise operators, or commercial partners in Southeast Asia and/or the GCC would be highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial understanding of wholesale economics, partner P&L, retail margins, inventory planning, open-to-buy, sell-through, pricing, and markdown management.
• Comfortable in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment where market-entry plans are still being developed.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Cantonese and/or Mandarin would be beneficial; additional Southeast Asian or Middle Eastern language capability would be an advantage.
• Willing and able to travel.

Responsibilities

• Develop a structured pipeline of distributors, franchisees, retail groups, and strategic partners across Southeast Asia and the GCC.
• Conduct commercial due diligence on prospective partners, including footprint, brand portfolio, finances, reputation, operations, and channel conflicts.
• Lead or support negotiations on territory rights, terms, commitments, pricing principles, formats, store-opening plans, and visual-merchandising requirements.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to understand market-entry requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Onboard new partners with brand knowledge, training, sales tools, processes, and retail standards.
• Own partner performance post-launch with annual plans, sales targets, and monthly reviews.
• Monitor pricing, promotions, markdowns, and compliance with brand standards.
• Travel to market sites for insights on competitors and opportunities.

Skills

International business development

Wholesale

Franchise development

Key accounts

Negotiation

Market expansion

Job description

KOS International Limited is seeking an international business-development professional to accelerate expansion through distribution, franchise, and strategic retail partnerships across Southeast Asia and the GCC, with focus on Hong Kong and Singapore.

The role also develops select B2B opportunities in the local market, negotiates terms, ensures partner readiness, and drives ongoing performance through annual plans, sell-through analysis, and a network of commercial collaborations.