:Constantly looking for better ways to nourish the world, General Mills has been operating in the Middle East for almost 20 years. Managing businesses in more than 20 countries, we offer trusted, quality brands and exceptional opportunities for those with the entrepreneurial spirit, initiative and cultural awareness to excel. We have been innovating in significant ways, not just in our brands and products, but also in adapting to the communities we proudly serve. Exceptional employee engagement happens when an organization is conscious and purposeful about it. In a bid to make food the world loves, we pay utmost attention to the capabilities of our people and the strengths of our culture. We ensure a workplace that enables learning to happen anytime, anywhere. Some of our big brands are Betty Crocker, Nature Valley, Green Giant, Old El Paso & Haagen Dazs.Functional OverviewLeads Emerging Markets for Middle East and Africa to achieve net sales, delivered margin and targets. Identify and develop business opportunities, build partnerships with distributors for enhancing the reach of our brands in the existing and new geographies. Be the key proactive driver of fast long-term profitable growth within their markets and distributors. Owns delivery of the business plan numbers within the related markets.Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of market/distributor vision and strategic plan to enable General Mills to take advantage of profitable growth opportunities. Own relationship with distributors in the related markets.
• Build effective Joint Business Plans with key external business partners that drive our ambition of fast long-term profitable growth. Working effectively crosses functionally with Marketing/Finance/Supply Chain.
• The setting and achievement of specific objectives for the market for existing and new products. Drive increased distribution for our brands to optimally position our brand/business strategies.
• Influence strategies and guidelines to effectively develop General Mills business in the MEA Emerging Markets
• Control and manage through others prices and trading terms in accordance with General Millsxe2x80x99 guidelines and policies that enhance our commercial position and drive long term profitable growth. Partner with Marketing and finance teams to deliver against this objective.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and senior level market/distributor contacts to support the achievement of the customer plan.
• Ownership of the market/distributor sales and promotion outlook on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis and to be the key point of contact with Supply Chain / finance team to ensure accurate demand & financial forecasting as well as identifying vulnerabilities and opportunities linked to build blocks.
• Works to drive continuously improve forecast accuracy.
• Working closely with agencies and distributors to develop and execute winning trade marketing solutions that drive enhanced ROI
• Develop and recommend strategies and tactics in new markets to maximize the opportunity to GM and execute agreed plans to the highest possible level.
• Involved in specific project work as directed by the Head of Emerging Markets MEA

The RoleTo operate as a strategic commercial leader within the business, driving the overall accelerated growth strategy for MENAT in relationship to geographic expansion.The key purpose of this role is to ensure that GM Emerging Markets business maximises its growth opportunity to the full by ensuring that opportunities outside the standard Brand/Market plans are developed and delivered.Geographic expansion is one of the corner stones of our long-range business plan. As part of this the BDM will have responsibility for frontier markets.The BDM is expected to be highly consumer and shopper aware combined with a very strong business/commercial mind, and to work closely with the rest of the MEA team particularly marketing, shopper, sales and supply teams. The BDM has a clear understanding of the region and business challenges and opportunities in the area. It would also be helpful if the individual had clear understanding of the distributor business modelSkills and Requirements

• Team player both in commercial team and wider team
• Commercial minded linked to strong understanding of consumer and shopper drivers
• Highly numerate and financially minded in order to deliver our business objectives and able to work closely with finance.
• Strong influencer at all levels and powerful negotiator at all levels with their markets
• Ability to lead and inspire others
• Effective communicator
• Ability to build strong business relationships
• Innovative and entrepreneurial
• Self-Motivated and flexible
• Tenacious and results orientated
• Ability to problem solve and xe2x80x9cthink outside the boxxe2x80x9d
• Role model of GM values and Leadership expectations. Highest possible levels of personal integrity.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum of 8-10 yrs experience in similar role
• Multinational FMCG background- Strong understanding and experience of working in Middle East Markets
• Fluent in English, French & Arabic
• Preferably an MBA. Must have at least a Bachelorxe2x80x99s Degree
• Problem Solving & Analytics: Quickly grasps and analyzes complexities in data while perceiving the relationships and the relevant insights; Demonstrates proficiency in analysis and reporting quantitative and qualitative data; Uses experience and intuition to identify and implement creative approaches and solutions
• Strategic Business Planning: Demonstrates a well-rounded understanding of business through cross-functional relationships; Develops sound business plans for customers which meet corporate business objectives
• Market, Customer and Category Expertise: Aggressively searches for new ideas both inside and outside the company to bring innovation to the team; Uses knowledge and feedback from an external perspective to improve his/her own products and services; Delivers products or services that exceed customer expectations. Is commercially savvy and understands commercial drivers of all business partner both internally and externally.
• Communication skills: Delivers and develops clear and concise presentations to internal and external audiences; Adapts communication style or method to situation or audience; Demonstrates candor, courage and challenge
• Selling and Negotiatingxe2x80x94 Understands customers & distributor key xe2x80x9chot buttonsxe2x80x9d ; Applies understanding of companyxe2x80x99s competitive advantages to deliver insights; Demonstrates resilience to pressure and re-states value of concessions and opportunity for the customer/distributor
• Team Player: Works highly effectively in sales team and cross functionally helping build team cohesion and always striving to win as a team rather than purely as an individual. Able in particular to work well with Market Managers and Marketing plus additionally linking to both distributors/customers/agencies to ensure class A execution. A team player at core.

General Mills