WHO WE ARE
Avolta is the world's leading and largest Travel Experience (Retail, Convenience, F&B) company (https://www.avoltaworld.com/en) with >5,500 outlets, >1,200 locations, >77,000 employees in more than 70 countries and annual revenue of Swiss Francs CHF 13.9 Billion in 2025 and operate predominantly at airports as well as other travel channels, including motorways, railways, cruises, border shops and downtown.
We are on a journey towards our Destination 2027 strategy, creating a travel experience revolution by putting the traveler at our core. Based on four strong pillars of delivering the Travel Experience Revolution, diversifying our Geographical Presence, further fostering a Culture of Continual Improvement, and Sustainability, our strategy is ultimately powered by our people.
In Asia Pacific (APAC), we are present in more than 10 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Category Manager - Liquor has a dual reporting structure:
- Direct report to the Global Category Management team (Liquor) for alignment with global category strategy.
- Indirect report (dotted line) to the Vice President, Commercial for APAC strategy and implementation.
This role is responsible for establishing and executing relevant global category strategies and commercial plans within the APAC region. Additionally, the position may involve representing the company to various airport governing agencies, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with vendors and distributors serving airport and transportation locations across APAC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development and Strategy:
- Provides specialized leadership for the Liquor portfolio, maximizing efficiency and strategy alignment within the Liquor Category.
- Support Business Development to qualify Liquor business opportunities in APAC markets and locations where Avolta has or is developing concessions with the Regional Commercial Director.
- Support Global Liquor Strategy implementation and adjust into a more region-specific Commercial Plan for this category in APAC countries, for both international brands and particularly for regional brands.
- Develop new business and suggest new brands relevant to the region.
- Support tender processes and negotiations for global and regional brand agreements to improve business terms.
Supplier and Brand Relationships:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key global suppliers and brand partners regional contacts.
- Liaising with brands together with the regional shop development team for any shop construction/refurbishment processes.
- Ensure timely submission of brand documentation and listings.
Category Management and Performance:
- Review and refine assortment extensions and de-listings in line with global strategy.
- Review and fine-tune promotion and markdown strategies for APAC region needs and report overall performance.
- Define and confirm action plans with local operations for stock exit post-markdown period and low-performance depletion strategy.
- Analyse sales data, trends, and some other relevant KPI´s to improve business performance.
- Follow up on weekly sales & margins performance reviews by brand and operations.
- Accountable for Advertising income as per agreed Global budget.
Planning and Coordination:
- Support the Global Demand Planning team in preparing the Open to Buy by coordinating sales plan reviews and confirmations with countries.
- Partner with country commercial teams to resolve issues and ensure assortment and inventory objectives are met.
Team Leadership and Communication:
- Ensure that category is equipped with the necessary skills and resources to succeed in executing the strategy and plans
- Facilitates joint decision making with Global and Region and across both categories to ensure vendor priorities and promotional activities are aligned with business objectives.
- Reinforce the connection between the Category and each respective country GM.
Market Intelligence and Data Management:
- Develop consumer and market intelligence for the relevant categories. Identifies trends and pivots the strategy in real time, ensuring that the company remains competitive in the fast moving APAC market.
- Supervise the item creation process for locally managed global brands.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Demonstrated experience of at least 10 years in Liquor (from duty free/duty paid business) with significant exposure to APAC region
- Excellent negotiation and business development skills
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills
- Strong communicator who can present and share information with diverse stakeholders
- Demonstrated customer focus and cultural intelligence
- Reliable, results driven and great relationship builder
- Possess analytical and critical thinking
- Adept negotiator with deal structuring skills
- Excellent capabilities in Excel
- Languages: Fluent in English and Chinese
