International Business Head (CG Foods)

Business scope: CG Foods businesses in Serbia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, including domestic and export sales, manufacturing and related business operations.

Location: India, with frequent travel to Serbia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh

Role Purpose:

Lead the overall performance and growth of CG Foods across the four assigned countries, with end-to-end accountability for sales, profitability and business operations. Translate Group priorities into country plans, build effective routes to market and drive execution through country teams. Deliver sustainable revenue growth, stronger margins and cash generation while protecting product quality, customer service and business continuity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business strategy and profitable growth

• Develop country strategies, annual business plans and growth priorities based on consumer demand, competitive position and business capability.

• Set revenue, volume, margin and profitability objectives with the CFO and country leadership.

• Identify new markets, export opportunities, categories, channels and partnerships; assess their commercial viability and convert approved opportunities into executable plans with clear ownership and milestones.

1. Sales distribution and market execution

• Lead domestic and export sales across relevant channels, including general trade, modern trade, key accounts and e-commerce.

• Strengthen distributor selection, coverage, outlet availability and sales productivity.

• Set pricing, trade terms, incentives and promotional plans within approved policies.

• Review primary and secondary sales, distributor stock and collections to ensure healthy sell-through.

• Conduct market visits and resolve customer, channel and execution gaps.

1. Profitability and commercial discipline

• Own country and consolidated business profit and loss, including revenue, gross margin, operating costs and EBITDA.

• Improve product and channel mix, pricing realization and promotional returns.

• Drive cost efficiency across manufacturing, procurement, logistics and overheads with functional leaders.

• Work with the CFO on budgets, forecasts, credit discipline and working capital; lead corrective action where growth, margins, cash generation or returns fall below plan.

1. Manufacturing supply chain and business operations

• Lead operating delivery through country, plant and functional teams.

• Align demand forecasts, production, procurement and distribution to improve availability, capacity utilization, delivery reliability and cost.

• Address raw-material and packaging supply, imports, inventory, wastage, downtime and operational bottlenecks.

• Ensure disciplined sales and operations planning, preventive maintenance, food safety, quality, employee safety and continuity of supply, with clear local accountability.

1. Brands portfolio and business investment

• Work with marketing and product teams on consumer insights, brand development, product quality, pack sizes, pricing and innovation suited to each market.

• Evaluate launch readiness and track sales, margins and repeat demand after launch.

• Sponsor capacity expansion, productivity improvements and other investment proposals with the CFO; secure approvals and ensure approved projects deliver agreed timelines, costs, commercial benefits and returns.

1. Country leadership and stakeholder management

• Lead and develop country heads and assigned sales, operations and functional leaders.

• Establish clear responsibilities, performance expectations, succession plans and capability-building priorities with HR.

• Build effective relationships with distributors, key customers, suppliers and business partners.

• Represent CG Foods in relevant leadership and stakeholder forums, resolve cross-country issues and share successful practices while respecting local market requirements.

1. Performance reviews governance and risk

• Run regular country and consolidated business reviews covering sales, profit, cash, operational performance and growth initiatives.

• Make structured country visits, including plants and markets, to validate execution.

• Track corrective actions to closure and escalate material issues with recommendations.

• Ensure country teams meet applicable operating, food safety, product, employment, environmental and commercial requirements with relevant specialists.

• Maintain approved authority, ethical conduct and business continuity plans.

Candidate Profile

• Senior business leadership experience in FMCG or packaged foods (Preferably Noodles), with demonstrated responsibility for sales, profitability and operations across multiple countries or substantial business units.

• Proven success in building distribution, scaling domestic and export sales, improving margins and delivering business growth or turnarounds.

• Strong understanding of food manufacturing, supply chains, commercial finance, brand and product economics, and the working-capital demands of distribution-led businesses.

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Business, Marketing or a related field preferred; strong commercial judgment, negotiation and multicultural team leadership.

• Experience in one or more of the assigned markets is an advantage. Willingness to be based in India and travel frequently across all four countries is essential.