Lead - Business Development - FMCG - South Region

As a BD Lead - South, you will be responsible for driving the store expansion strategy across South India for a leading, fast-growing, technology-driven food and beverage retail company operating one of India's largest organized tea caf networks.

The role involves identifying high-potential locations, leading site acquisition, and managing stakeholder relationships, and ensuring the successful execution of new store openings in alignment with business growth plans.

Key Responsibilities:

- Market Mapping & Expansion Strategy: Identify and evaluate high-potential markets across South India for new store expansion through market research, competition benchmarking, and business feasibility analysis.

- Site Identification & Acquisition: Lead end-to-end site sourcing and evaluation based on footfall, catchment, visibility, accessibility, rentals, and commercial viability.

- Broker & Landlord Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, landlords, mall developers, and property consultants to ensure a strong pipeline of potential locations.

- Commercial Negotiation & Closures: Drive rental negotiations, commercial discussions, LOIs, and closure of lease agreements in alignment with company standards and business targets.

- Lease & Legal Coordination: Coordinate with legal and finance teams for documentation, lease finalization, registrations, and compliance-related activities.

- Cross-Functional Coordination: Work closely with design, projects, operations, procurement, and finance teams to ensure timely store launches and smooth project execution.

- Project Tracking & Execution: Monitor expansion timelines, approvals, fit-outs, and handovers to ensure stores open as per planned schedules.

- Data & Reporting Management: Maintain trackers, MIS reports, site databases, market intelligence, and expansion dashboards for management reviews.

- Regional Market Intelligence: Stay updated on market trends, competitor movements, rental benchmarks, and upcoming commercial developments across South India.

Skills:

- Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.

- Excellent analytical and market assessment capabilities.

- Good understanding of lease agreements and commercial negotiations.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.

- Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.