Business Development Manager Emerging Channel

FrieslandCampina; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Competitive remuneration

Diversity & inclusion

Senior management exposure

Job summary

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) seeks a commercially astute Customer Development Manager to lead the Transforming School Nourishing Minds (TSNM) initiative in Malaysia. You will engage schools, government stakeholders, distributors and partners to scale the programme nationwide, driving growth and governance across multiple workstreams.

As Project Lead, you will ensure integrated business planning, commercial viability, and disciplined execution while collaborating with Corporate

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives in institutional or school channels.
• Strong stakeholder management across government, schools, and distributors.
• Experience shaping integrated business plans and governance for big programmes.
• Expertise in route-to-market strategies within school/institutional contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Transforming School Nourishing Minds (TSNM) initiative as Project Lead.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on milestones and governance.
• Engage with government bodies, schools, and partners to secure permissions and scale.
• Develop and manage the commercial business case and operating model.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Route-to-market

Distributor management

Sales operations

Marketing execution

Analytical thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional coordination

Job description

Shape the future of school nutrition in Malaysia.

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) is looking for a commercially astute and well-connected Customer Development Manager to lead the Transforming School Nourishing Minds (TSNM) initiative, a strategic programme designed to build a sustainable school channel while positively impacting children's nutrition and learning outcomes. This high-visibility role requires a strong understanding of Malaysia's education ecosystem, with the ability to effectively engage schools, government stakeholders, distributors, and commercial partners to scale the programme nationwide. Acting as the overall Project Lead, you will drive business growth, stakeholder engagement, governance, and cross-functional execution to establish TSNM as a scalable and commercially sustainable platform.

As the Customer Development Manager, you will serve as the overall Project Lead for the Transforming Schools Nourishing Minds (TNSM) initiative, accountable for the integrated business plan, commercial business case, and project governance. This role requires a strategic leader who can ensure coordinated delivery across multiple workstreams and maintain focus on achieving key milestones and scaling approved programmes sustainably.

The TSNM project functions within a unique school and institutional ecosystem, demanding a specialised approach distinct from conventional retail channels. Success hinges on securing institutional permissions, cultivating stakeholder trust, maintaining government and school relationships, aligning with relevant policies, and executing disciplined commercial strategies.

This role respects and supports the professional accountability and ownership of individual functions such as Corporate Affairs, Sales, and Marketing. Accordingly, you will collaborate closely with these teams, ensuring that all external engagements and functional commitments are upheld without encroaching on established decision rights.

Upon achievement of scale and a stable operating model, there will be a review of the organisational structure to determine the appropriate permanent position for this role within the School Channel or Key Account frameworks, based on management decisions.

If you are looking to lead a challenging and rewarding project that integrates strategic leadership, commercial acumen, and collaborative execution in dynamic institutional environment,

What We Ask

Shape the future of school nutrition in Malaysia.

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) is looking for a commercially astute and well-connected Customer Development Manager to lead the Transforming School Nourishing Minds (TSNM) initiative, a strategic programme designed to build a sustainable school channel while positively impacting children's nutrition and learning outcomes. This high-visibility role requires a strong understanding of Malaysia's education ecosystem, with the ability to effectively engage schools, government stakeholders, distributors, and commercial partners to scale the programme nationwide. Acting as the overall Project Lead, you will drive business growth, stakeholder engagement, governance, and cross-functional execution to establish TSNM as a scalable and commercially sustainable platform.

As the Customer Development Manager, you will serve as the overall Project Lead for the Transforming Schools Nourishing Minds (TNSM) initiative, accountable for the integrated business plan, commercial business case, and project governance. This role requires a strategic leader who can ensure coordinated delivery across multiple workstreams and maintain focus on achieving key milestones and scaling approved programmes sustainably.

The TSNM project functions within a unique school and institutional ecosystem, demanding a specialised approach distinct from conventional retail channels. Success hinges on securing institutional permissions, cultivating stakeholder trust, maintaining government and school relationships, aligning with relevant policies, and executing disciplined commercial strategies.

This role respects and supports the professional accountability and ownership of individual functions such as Corporate Affairs, Sales, and Marketing. Accordingly, you will collaborate closely with these teams, ensuring that all external engagements and functional commitments are upheld without encroaching on established decision rights.

Upon achievement of scale and a stable operating model, there will be a review of the organisational structure to determine the appropriate permanent position for this role within the School Channel or Key Account frameworks, based on management decisions.

If you are looking to lead a challenging and rewarding project that integrates strategic leadership, commercial acumen, and collaborative execution in dynamic institutional environment,

What We Ask

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Customer Development Manager to lead the TSNM project at Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad, within our Asia Business Group. This role demands exceptional leadership, project management, and cross-functional coordination skills. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of engaging with institutional ecosystems, including government, schools, and other stakeholders, to support scalable and commercially sustainable programme growth.

Key attributes include:

• Proven experience in project leadership and managing integrated business plans with a focus on driving commercial success and governance adherence.
• Strong stakeholder management capabilities, particularly in navigating complex institutional and government landscapes.
• Ability to coordinate multiple functional teams, including Corporate Affairs, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain, ensuring alignment and seamless collaboration.
• Expertise in route-to-market strategies, distributor management, sales operations, and marketing execution within a school or institutional context.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to monitor progress, manage risks, and ensure delivery against milestones.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills to serve as a key liaison across internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term business plans and scalable operational models with a commercial mindset focused on profitability and growth.
• A commitment to working inclusively within a diverse team, fostering an environment of mutual respect, trust, and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

Joining Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad presents a unique opportunity to be part of a reputable organisation dedicated to innovation and excellence within the dairy industry. We offer a supportive and inclusive work environment that values your expertise and development.

Benefits of the role include:

• Opportunity to lead a strategic and high-impact project with a clear vision of RM25 million annual sales targets and sustainable growth.
• A collaborative workplace culture committed to diversity and inclusion where your leadership and ideas can shape the future direction of our school channel initiatives.
• Access to structured professional development, allowing you to expand your skills across project management, cross-functional coordination, and institutional engagement.
• A competitive remuneration package aligned with your experience and performance, reflecting the critical nature of the role.
• Engagement with senior management and regional stakeholders, offering valuable exposure and networking opportunities within the industry.
• Involvement in shaping a novel business segment which combines commercial route-to-market initiatives with institutional partnership development.

For thousands of people every day, we are more than just a dairy company. To our farmers, our employees, the communities we serve, the businesses we work with and the people to whom we bring happiness, FrieslandCampina means something more. For them it's not just about what we do, but who we are. We value talented people from any background who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. We encourage all of our employees to make decisions that benefit our entire company.At FrieslandCampina we own our own career and act accordingly. We trust you to make a difference in your job and influence the bigger picture. Working at FrieslandCampina means you are contributing to a better world.