SEA Distribution Development and Real Estate Director

CHAGEE Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food and beverage firm in Singapore seeks a Distribution Development Director to drive growth across Southeast Asia through effective franchise acquisition and strategic partnerships. The role involves evaluating potential partners, establishing joint ventures, and guiding market entry strategies. Candidates should have 8-10 years of franchise development experience in the F&B or retail industry, with strong leadership and negotiation skills. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of significant market expansion initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 to 10 years of experience in franchise development or business expansion.
• Proven track record in franchise acquisition within Southeast Asia.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead partner acquisition and evaluate franchisee opportunities.
• Conduct feasibility studies for new market launches.
• Support franchise partners in real estate planning.

Skills

Franchise development

Business expansion

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Job description

The Distribution Development Director will spearhead Chagee’s SEA growth through strategic JV partner and Master Franchisee acquisition and network expansion across Southeast Asia. This position focuses on identifying, evaluating, and onboarding qualified JV or franchisee partners, establishing joint ventures, and driving market entry strategies in priority markets. The ideal candidate will possess deep experience in JV & franchise business development, multi‑market expansion, and commercial negotiations within the food and beverage or retail sector.

Key Responsibilities

Franchise Acquisition & Partner Development

• Lead end‑to‑end partner acquisition initiatives, from market mapping and lead generation to partner evaluation, contract negotiation, and onboarding.
• Identify qualified franchisees and strategic investors aligned with Chagee’s brand vision and growth strategy.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with potential and existing partners to ensure long‑term collaboration and success.
• Establish and refine the real‑estate strategy, investment model, JV or franchise operating model, standards, and performance framework across Apac markets.
• Provide commercial, operational, and strategic support to JV or franchisees to achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Market Expansion Strategy

• Conduct feasibility studies, investment analyses, and competitive benchmarking to support decision‑making for new market launches.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of markets and partners to identify opportunities for network optimization or reinvestment.

Distribution & Channel Development

• Identify and form strategic alliances or joint ventures to enhance market coverage and brand accessibility.
• Optimize distribution efficiency to support both franchise and company‑operated stores.

Network & Real Estate Planning

• Support franchise partners and internal teams in identifying prime store locations that maximize visibility and profitability.
• Oversee real estate negotiations and development planning where required, ensuring compliance with brand and operational standards.
• Leverage market insights to guide store rollout decisions and network scalability.

Leadership & Reporting

• Build and lead a high‑performing regional team focused on growth enablement and franchise partnership success.
• Represent Chagee Apac in external negotiations, trade discussions, and partnership events.
• Report regularly to the senior executive team on pipeline progress, partner performance, and regional expansion metrics.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 8 to 10 years of experience in franchise development, business expansion, or strategic partnerships within the F&B, retail, or hospitality industry.
• Proven track record in franchise acquisition and multi‑market growth strategy execution across Southeast Asia.
• Strong financial acumen with ability to build robust business cases and franchise proposals.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills across diverse markets.
• Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capability and high commercial awareness.
• Strong leadership skills with cross‑functional team management experience.