Country Manager

KIRIN HOLDINGS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. is the regional headquarters of Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, a globally recognized and publicly listed group headquartered in Japan, operating across three core business pillars: Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Science. As part of the Kirin Group's strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, the Singapore office plays a key role in regional coordination, business development, and the launch of new growth businesses across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania.

We are seeking an experienced Country Manager to drive the commercial launch and expansion of Kirin's Health Science business in Singapore and selected Asia-Pacific markets. This role requires hands-on ownership of go-to-market execution, including market entry planning, distributor and key account management, channel and pricing strategy, and cross-functional coordination with regional subsidiaries, distributors, and external partners. The successful candidate will work closely with the Health Science Business Department at the Japan headquarters and contribute to the establishment and growth of the business across multiple jurisdictions.

Job Description

• Develop and execute go-to-market (RTM) strategies for Health Science beverages in Singapore and selected Asia-Pacific markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, including distributor-based sales models, channel strategy, pricing architecture, and trade execution to enable scalable commercial expansion.
• Manage distributor and key account relationships across on-premise, retail, and other channels such as developing tailored growth execution frameworks and a performance management system to standardize commercial performance evaluation, strengthen partnerships, and drive consistent sales growth.
• Plan and execute marketing, sampling, and consumer activation initiatives to build brand awareness and communicate product value based on scientific evidence and health-related insights, in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners (including academic, municipal, and hospitality partners where relevant).
• Identify, evaluate, and develop new business opportunities across Asia-Pacific, including market scalability assessment, partnership and distributor agreements, and new product/packaging launch support by supporting end-to-end business design from product concept to commercial model and financial planning.
• Assist in preparing and delivering regular business performance reports, financial forecasts, and strategic recommendations to senior management at the Japan headquarters, a publicly listed parent company, ensuring alignment with group reporting standards, governance frameworks, and consolidated strategic objectives.
• Travel regularly across the Asia-Pacific region (approximately once or twice per month) to oversee market operations, engage with distributors and partners, and support subsidiary establishment, with potential future relocation to other markets in the region as the business expands.

Job requirements

1. More than 15 years of experience in the beverage and nutraceutical industry with a strong track record in business development, sales, marketing, and distributor management, of which at least 3 years as a Manager and above position. The successful candidate must have held the Manager role in the industry within the last 5 years.
2. More than 3 years of experience in developing and executing go-to-market (RTM) strategies, including distributor-based sales models, channel development, pricing architecture, and trade execution across on-premise and retail channels.
3. More than 3 years of experience in international business operations in the beverage and nutraceutical industry, with demonstrated responsibility for business operations across three or more countries in Asia, the Middle East, or other overseas markets.
4. Demonstrated experience managing key accounts and major wholesaler/distributor partnerships, with a track record of driving sales growth, strengthening commercial partnerships, and implementing data-driven performance management practices.
5. Strong cross-functional execution capability, including collaboration with regional/global headquarters and external partners across quality, regulatory, supply chain, and customer support functions with an experience supporting new product or new market launches. Must possess in-depth knowledge of local regulations for new beverage and nutraceutical product development in Singapore, Malaysia and other ASEAN Countries, including direct experience navigating product registration and substantiating health claims under ASEAN regulatory regimes.
6. High proficiency in both verbal and written English is essential. Japanese language skills (JLPT N1 or equivalent) are an added advantage for stakeholder coordination as a senior managerial role, including direct reporting to the listed parent company in Japan.
7. Willingness to travel regularly within the Asia-Pacific region (approximately once or twice per month), and openness to relocation to other countries within the region in the future as business needs require.
8. Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Communication, Commerce, Economics, Science, or equivalent.