Main purpose of job:

To grow Scottish food & drink exports to China by proactively identifying trade opportunities for Scottish companies with key buyers and importers/distributors in the retail and foodservice sectors as well as leading the delivery of complex specialist support to Scottish food & drink companies looking to significantly grow their international exports.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

The successful candidate will focus on increasing exports from existing food & drink exporters while supporting new exporters where appropriate. In doing so, they will be expected to contribute to Scottish Development International’s range of measures including:

• The value of expected international sales of companies achieved, as a result of our support.
• The number of companies supported into new markets and the launch of new products

Specific responsibilities will include:

1) Trade Development (at least 50% of role)

• dentify key customers operating in the retail and foodservice sectors in China and take a strategic account management role, understanding any specific procurement and supply chain requirements whilst looking to identify potential opportunities for Scottish companies
• Develop partnerships with stakeholders and trade associations – both in Scotland and in-market to identify platforms for collaborative or strategic engagement in the food & drink sector (Chefs Associations; restaurant/hotel industry groups etc).
• Identify and attend sector-specific trade shows, exhibitions and conferences in the market/region to promote Scotland as a Land of Food & Drink; expand your network of contacts; and identify opportunities for Scottish companies
• Produce data driven insight from market intelligence to scope/explore new opportunities for Scottish companies. Report trends to the Global Food & Drink team in Scotland and to trade organisations as appropriate (eg Seafood Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland).
• Identify and articulate specific business opportunities to colleagues in Scotland including trade advisers and trade organisations and work with Scottish companies to help them respond to these opportunities.
• Deliver webinars and use social media, including LinkedIn, to highlight key market opportunities to raise awareness of key market opportunities for Scottish companies
• Take a creative approach to trade development work, supporting colleagues by looking for innovative ways to create demand for Scottish goods and services in your market/region

2) Trade support

• Act as overseas lead within a wider account team approach working to provide trade advice and guidance to Scottish companies looking to access opportunities in market within the sector
• Support Scottish companies with market entry and growth strategies and develop a deep understanding of routes to market, business environment and regulatory framework
• Work with colleagues in Scotland to deliver visit programmes, trade missions and learning journeys for Scottish companies, providing added value for participating companies by introducing them to your network of contacts and setting up 1-2-1 meetings for them while in market
• Update SDI’s internal reporting system with details of all company support provided and how it has helped to deliver against SDI’s objectives. Update account team members on the impact of any support provided
• Develop close working relationships with other partners including DIT, British Chambers of Commerce, GlobalScots, and other in-market industry trade bodies who can add value to SDI’s work with Scottish companies in-market

3) Other

• Travel within market and at times across the geography and to Scotland. Attendance at evening and other events
• Deliver presentations, respond to enquiries and produce briefings when required
• Provide accurate, up-to-date management information via internal systems
• Support performance improvement initiatives by adopting new approaches and contributing ideas

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

No people management however budget management of your events is required.

• Excellent spoken and writtern English and Mandarin
• A strong commercial understanding
• Proven customer relationship management skills
• Diagnostic, strategic challenger, influencer and facilitation skills
• Ability to apply analytical skills in complex situations
• Knowledge and understanding of the food & drink sector and ability to engage credibly with senior industry representatives in the sector
• Market and sector knowledge in relation to international trade to enable the provision of advice to companies, colleagues and partners
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Excellent written skills, IT literate and comfortable using Microsoft packages such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word plus SE/SDI internal management systems (dynamics CRM)
• A relevant degree level qualification (or equivalent level of experience)

• Knowledge of international trade (to Institute of Export level) and experience of supporting companies to export

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 27, 596/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 35, 959/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Beijing is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local employment law.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.

The Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.