Project Manager / Franchise Development Manager (F&B)

Jobstreet Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail consulting firm is seeking a Project Manager / Franchise Development Manager in Kuala Lumpur. This role focuses on evaluating and negotiating franchise opportunities for entry into Malaysia's market, handling brand identification, commercial negotiations, and project management. The candidate should have 5–8 years of relevant experience in franchise development and retail operations. A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related fields is required, while Mandarin proficiency is a plus. Competitive salary and opportunities for local and international travel are included.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in franchise development, retail operations, or business expansion.
• Proven track record in market entry and store setup.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Identify and shortlist suitable franchise brands for the Malaysian market.
• Lead negotiations for master franchise or national distributorship agreements.
• Develop market entry assumptions and high-level financial projections.

Skills

Franchise development

Retail operations

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving abilities

Communication skills

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management or related field

Job description

Overview

Position : Project Manager / Franchise Development Manager

We are seeking a Project Manager – Market Entry to lead the evaluation, selection, and negotiation of China-based retail and snack franchise brands for entry into the Malaysian market. This role is brand-agnostic at the initial stage and focuses on commercial due diligence, deal structuring, and master franchise or distributorship decision-making prior to execution. The successful candidate will play a critical role in determining brand viability, commercial terms, and rollout strategy before launching 5–10 self-operated stores. Upon successful brand selection and contract execution, the role is expected to transition into a senior operational leadership position, overseeing market entry execution, retail operations, and franchise expansion in Malaysia.

Job Description

Brand Identification & Evaluation

• Identify and shortlist suitable China-based retail or snack franchise brands for the Malaysian market
• Evaluate brand strength, scalability, SKU structure, and supply chain readiness
• Assess export capability, overseas experience, and headquarters support model
• Prepare comparative analysis and recommendations for management decision-making

Commercial & Deal Negotiation

• Lead discussions and negotiations with shortlisted brand principals
• Negotiate master franchise or national distributorship agreements
• Secure key commercial rights including territorial exclusivity, pricing and SKU flexibility, and local market adaptation rights
• Work closely with legal advisors to structure commercially sound agreements

Market Entry & Financial Validation

• Develop market entry assumptions and rollout scenarios (1 / 3 / 5 / 10 stores)
• Prepare high-level financial projections, unit economics, and sensitivity analysis
• Validate commercial viability, cash flow sustainability, and scalability
• Identify key risks and propose mitigation strategies

Stakeholder & Project Management

• Act as the main liaison with China-based brand principals and suppliers
• Coordinate with internal teams and external consultants (legal, financial, operational)
• Provide structured updates, insights, and recommendations to senior management

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, or a related field
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in franchise development, retail operations, or business expansion (preferably FMCG or F&B retail)
• Proven experience in market entry, store setup, and franchise expansion
• Strong understanding of retail operations, supply chain management, and franchise models
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and external partners
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to liaise effectively with overseas brand principals and suppliers, particularly from China
• Analytical and strategic thinker with strong problem-solving abilities
• Results-driven, hands-on, and able to thrive in a fast-paced startup or growth environment
• Willingness to travel locally and overseas when required
• Mandarin proficiency is an advantage, as the role involves liaising with Mandarin-speaking partners

Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad.