Business Development Executive – Tea & Beverage Solutions

Target Territory: China Market

Industry: Food & Beverage / FMCG / Tea & Beverage Solutions

Location: Based in China (with Initial training in Colombo, Sri Lanka)

About the Company

Our client is a world-renowned global pioneer in tea and beverage solutions, boasting a rich heritage of agricultural excellence, sustainable sourcing, and cutting-edge processing technology. With an extensive footprint across major international markets, the group is a trusted B2B partner for some of the world’s leading food and beverage brands, quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains, and ready-to-drink (RTD) manufacturers.

To support their strategic expansion and market penetration efforts within the high-growth China market, they are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and commercially sharp professional to join their international network.

Role Summary

The Business Development Executive – Tea & Beverage Solutions will drive the commercial footprint of premium Ceylon Tea and customized tea-based solutions in China. Operating as an independent, commission-based indirect sales representative, you will have the autonomy to build a high-yield sales pipeline, establish strategic B2B partnerships, and act as a key market ambassador.

This role sits at the heart of market creation, requiring a self-starter who can map the territory, identify high-potential B2B customers, and transition leads into long-term commercial accounts.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Generation, Prospecting & Market Mapping

Identify and proactively engage high-potential B2B customers through systematic networking, cold calling, industry referrals, and targeted market research.
Conduct extensive market mapping across major provinces to identify emerging niches and business opportunities within the tea and beverage sectors.
Develop, qualify, and maintain a robust sales pipeline of prospective clients (including QSR chains, RTD brands, and wholesale distributors).

2. Product Presentation & Consultative Sales

Present and pitch premium tea portfolios and tea-related ingredients/solutions to prospective B2B clients.
Translate complex product parameters (such as extraction profiles, leaf grades, and flavor characteristics) into clear, value-driven solutions tailored to customer requirements.
Support internal teams in preparing customized commercial proposals, product quotations, and technical sales presentations.

3. Negotiation & Deal Closing

Lead and support the sales cycle from the initial introductory pitch through to successful contract closure.
Negotiate pricing, logistical arrangements, and commercial agreements with international clients in close alignment with the Head of Department.
Maintain rigorous, consistent follow-up across long B2B sales cycles to maximize conversion rates.

4. B2B Client Relationship Management

Build and sustain strong, high-trust, long-term relationships with newly acquired and existing business partners.
Act as a reliable, consultative point of contact, ensuring premium customer service and prompt issue resolution.
Identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities to expand the wallet share of active accounts.

5. Market Reporting & Competitor Analysis

Actively monitor and analyze trends in the Ceylon Tea sector, competitor moves, and regional pricing developments within China.
Deliver actionable market intelligence, mapping consumer preferences, potential regulatory shifts, and emerging go-to-market opportunities.
Provide strategic feedback and data-backed recommendations to the corporate management team to refine regional strategies.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Coordinate closely with Colombo-based teams, including Sales, Marketing, Quality Assurance, and Logistics, to ensure flawless order fulfillment.
Facilitate seamless, transparent communication between Chinese clients and the corporate headquarters to guarantee an outstanding customer experience.

Candidate Profile

Required Skills & Experience

Professional Experience: Minimum of 2 years of proven B2B sales, business development, or marketing experience in the Tea, Beverage Solutions, FMCG, or a closely related industry.
Linguistic Versatility: Flawless written and verbal communication skills in both Mandarin and English are mandatory to facilitate high-level cross-border negotiations.
Negotiation Mastery: Proven capability to lead B2B negotiations, manage complex client expectations, and close long-cycle sales contracts.
Industry Acumen: Strong understanding of market research, CRM tools, sales pipelines, and business reporting frameworks.
Mobility & Training: Absolute willingness to travel to the company's headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka for comprehensive on-site product, process, and company orientation.

Preferred Experience

Prior work experience or an established network with Bubble Tea manufacturers, café chains, or RTD (Ready-to-Drink) beverage producers in China.
Deep familiarity with the local regulatory requirements for importing food/beverage ingredients into China.

Behavioral Attributes

Entrepreneurial Drive: Self-motivated, proactive, and exceptionally resilient in target-driven environments.
Analytical Mind: Ability to break down complex market dynamics into actionable business growth tactics.
Organizational Excellence: Strong project management and rigorous, systematic follow-up capabilities.

What We Offer

An opportunity to represent a world-class, globally respected tea and beverage brand.
A highly lucrative, uncapped commission structure directly tied to your sales performance.
Comprehensive product, processing, and company training sponsored at our headquarters in Colombo.
Autonomy to manage and grow one of the world's most dynamic beverage markets.

Business Development Executive – Tea & ...