Head of Strategy and Strategic Businesses

Responsible:
1. Developing and executing the mid-term Growth Strategy for Generation Next to build a dominant and sustainable business in Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In this capacity, you are expected to prepare and execute a multi-year strategic plan that focuses on building our presence in each market “the right way” and engaging the entire organization towards these objectives. This includes:
a. Market Growth Strategy: With the Managing Director and Senior leaders, developing a 5-year plan for each market beyond sales targets and numbers, and including actual qualitative and operating objectives and achievements. To develop the strategy, you will secure and evaluate market data and competitive information to identify and address growth opportunities, market trends, and risks. The objective is to establish Gnext as a dominant distribution partner, like “Erajaya”, in each of these markets.

b. Strategic Projects & Initiatives: You will be tasked with identifying, assessing, and prioritizing strategic initiatives across different functional areas that will support our Strategic plans. You will lead cross-functional strategic projects (e.g., new market entry, business model innovation).

c. Stakeholder Alignment: Work closely with the MD, Country Managers, Directors and business unit leaders to ensure alignment on strategic goals. Communicate the strategy to stakeholders and ensure it is understood and acted upon throughout the organization.

You are expected to leverage your years of experience with MNCs to bring in “best practice” and to assess the state of our current practices in all our qualitative functions and define a clear strategic path for each of our local organizations to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in each market (rather than just tactical wins). You will be measured on how dominant the company becomes in each market over a 24 to 36 month period.

2. Leading the new “cradle to grave” initiatives of the company including the (a) Trade-in and (b) Second hand product programs. This includes establishing the grading system, identifying trade-in partners, identifying sources for second hand products, and rolling out distribution in key markets (e.g., PK) where there is large potential. You will be in charge of scoping each market as well as developing a strong market entry plan for the company.

3. Leading the Affordability program development for Gnext including working with BNPLs, Financing companies, Banks, and other alternative lenders to improve the accessibility and affordability of our products, including Apple and non-Apple devices. You are expected to sign partnerships in each of our operating markets (BD, LK, MN, NP, PK) with these NBFIs and Banks to grow the base of consumers through innovative affordability initiatives. The KRA is to secure signed deals and operationalized programs with at least 1 NBFI and/or other lenders in each of these markets within the first 12 months, and to expand on this each year.

4. Managing the marketing team to build the “Gnext” brand of official product across the countries to show value versus lower priced parallel imports. Oversee aspects like a distribution data portal, concept stores / experience stores, ATL, BTL and social media marketing while closely following the guidelines of the Principal Brand Owners.

5. Supporting the channel development team to ensure that channel strategies and channel mapping are fully in place for every country to help the company penetrate deeper into the market. Overseeing channel expansion across tier-2 cities, building up retail players, and expanding to new trade partners as needed.

Experience and Qualifications
- At least 20 to 25 years of experience with leading mobile device manufacturers and distributors in leadership positions, including experience as CEO, Country Head or General Manager of the business responsible for P&L, Strategy and Operations.
- Direct experience in new business development specifically in the fields of second hand devices, including sourcing, trading and building a channel for these products to move in South Asia (e.g., Nepal, Pakistan, etc) as well as in Dubai.
- Strong understanding of handset trade-in market and familiarity with the key players, channel partners, financing models, grading software, as well as all other skills needed to build a device trade-in business
- Experience with developing affordability programs, including working with banks, carriers and NBFIs to create affordability programs to drive mobile device sales beyond the natural replacement cycle
- Experience in Channel Development and a strong understanding of best practices in both Channel and Retail.
- Strong leadership skills and people management capabilities. Can demonstrate ability to manage teams across multiple geographies.