Regional Business Development Manager – Starches & Hydrocolloids (Food Ingredients)

Caldic; Selangor; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global distribution leader is seeking a Business Development Manager in Malaysia to drive growth in the Food Ingredients sector, focusing on starches and hydrocolloids. The role requires at least 10 years of experience in business development, strong supplier management skills, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally. Fluency in English and a background in food science or technology are essential. This position offers opportunities for career advancement in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Global opportunities for career growth

Inclusive and dynamic work environment

Chance to shape the future of specialty ingredient solutions

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development or sales within food ingredients.
• Strong understanding of food formulation challenges and market dynamics in Asia Pacific.
• Fluency in English; additional Asian languages preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain supplier relationships for food ingredients.
• Execute go-to-market strategies for food segments.
• Achieve annual revenue and profitability targets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance.

Skills

Supplier partnerships

Commercial negotiation

Technical knowledge in food ingredients

Communication skills

Market evaluation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related fields

Job description

Position Overview

The Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategies to expand the company’s Food Ingredients business—primarily starches, as well as hydrocolloids and related functional systems—across the Asia Pacific region. The role focuses on driving growth through principal management, customer acquisition, and strategic development of value-added ingredient solutions. This position plays a critical role in strengthening Caldic’s position as a leading distribution partner by delivering value through supplier partnerships, technical expertise, and customer service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with global and regional suppliers of starches, hydrocolloids, and functional food ingredients.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to enhance the portfolio and address evolving market needs in texture, stability, and clean-label formulations.
• Negotiate and manage commercial terms, contracts, and distribution agreements to ensure mutual growth and long‑term collaboration.

2. Business Development

• Identify, evaluate, and develop new business opportunities across food segments such as bakery, dairy, beverages, Savory, convenience foods, confectionery, and plant‑based.
• Execute go‑to‑market strategies for targeted categories, leveraging technical insights and application capabilities.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline to deliver sustainable and profitable growth.
• Support local Caldic sales teams with technical knowledge, product positioning, formulation guidance, supply solutions, and value‑added services to drive both new account acquisition and increased share of wallet with existing customers.

3. Commercial Execution

• Achieve annual revenue, margin, and profitability targets.
• Develop competitive pricing strategies in collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.
• Provide timely and accurate sales forecasts, market updates, and business performance analyses.

4. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with supply chain, operations, finance, and regulatory teams to ensure compliance with food safety standards and efficient product delivery.

Collaborate with marketing to design promotional activities, campaigns, and events to increase visibility and market penetration within key food categories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development, sales, or account management within food ingredients—preferably starches, hydrocolloids, texturizing systems, or specialty distribution.
• Strong understanding of food formulation challenges, ingredient functionality, and market dynamics in Asia Pacific.
• Proven track record of building supplier partnerships and achieving commercial growth.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English; additional Asian languages preferred.
• Willingness to travel across the region (30–40%).

Competencies

• Commercial and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strategic thinking with strong hands‑on execution ability.
• Ability to build strong relationships and manage diverse stakeholders.
• Cross‑cultural adaptability and teamwork.
• Results‑driven with resilience in a competitive and fast‑evolving food ingredients market.

About Caldic

At Caldic, we’re a global leader in distribution solutions, serving diverse markets across the world. Joining us means becoming part of an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and innovation‑driven team.

We offer

• Global opportunities with rapid career growth and development
• An inclusive, diverse, and dynamic work environment
• The chance to shape the future of specialty ingredient solutions across industries like food, pharma, personal care, and more

We operate in 43 countries around the world. Our innovative solutions are tailored to meet the needs of industries such as food, pharma, personal care, and industrial markets, ensuring sustainable success for all stakeholders. To learn more, visit: www.caldic.com

Ready to Join Us?

If you're ready to take your career to the next level and join a global leader, apply now at Caldic!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Caldic celebrates diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or any other characteristic.

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