Business Development Manager (Fruit)

Key Responsibilities

1.Local Channel Development & Maintenance

• Expand fruit sales channels across Kazakhstan and surrounding Central Asian markets, with a focus on developing key clients in major cities such as Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent, including fruit & vegetable wholesale markets, retail chain supermarkets, and foodservice/ HoReCa buyers.
• Develop localized sales strategies for imported Chinese fresh fruit categories including but not limited to citrus and Shine Muscat grapes, achieving channel deployment and sales targets.
• Establish and maintain long-term strategic partnerships with core local distributors, conducting regular visits to strengthen business relationships.

2.Client Acquisition & Business Negotiation

• Proactively identify and develop potential B2B clients (wholesalers, retailers, catering groups, corporate cafeterias, etc.), independently managing the full sales cycle from prospecting and quoting to negotiation and contract signing.
• Track order fulfillment, coordinate payment collections, and ensure high levels of client satisfaction.
• Collect client feedback on product quality, packaging, pricing, and other factors, communicating insights to the domestic supply chain team for continuous improvement.

3.Market Intelligence & Analysis

• Continuously monitor changes in Kazakhstan's and Central Asia's fruit import policies, quarantine standards, currency fluctuations, and competitor activities.
• Regularly produce market analysis reports to support domestic procurement and pricing strategy decisions.

4.Supply Chain Coordination

• Collaborate with the domestic supply chain team to ensure seamless integration of origin direct sourcing, cold-chain transportation, and customs clearance at Khorgos Port.
• Familiarize with the China-Kazakhstan "green channel" fast-track customs clearance policies for agricultural products, assisting in logistics efficiency optimization.

Qualifications

1.Experience & Resources

• Associate degree or above, preferably in Marketing, International Trade, Agricultural Economics, or related fields.
• 3+ years of local channel sales or client development experience in Kazakhstan, with a preference for candidates with a background in fruits & vegetables, fresh produce, or FMCG industries.
• Core requirement: Established local sales channel resources in Kazakhstan's fruit & vegetable sector (wholesale markets, supermarket chains, foodservice procurement, etc.), with solid understanding of the local fruit trade ecosystem.

2.Language & Communication

• Proficient in Russian or Kazakh as a working language, capable of fluent business negotiations and presentations.
• Basic English or Chinese communication skills, facilitating coordination with the internal team.
• Familiar with Kazakhstan's business culture and possessing strong cross-cultural communication and negotiation abilities.

3.Professional Skills

• Basic understanding of international trade processes (inquiry, order fulfillment, payment collection, etc.) and working knowledge of imported fruit customs clearance and inspection/quarantine procedures.
• Data analysis capability to identify market opportunities through sales metrics.

4.Core Competencies

• Self-motivated and results-oriented, capable of working independently and achieving targets.
• Willing and able to travel frequently within Kazakhstan and neighboring Central Asian countries.
• Valid local driver's license and personal vehicle preferred (facilitates market visits).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in selling imported Chinese fruits (citrus, grapes) within the Kazakhstan market.
• Existing cooperation relationships with core channels such as the Altyn Orda fruit & vegetable wholesale market in Almaty.
• Knowledge of the China-Kazakhstan "green channel" customs clearance process and cold-chain logistics operations.
• Experience in building or managing a local sales team.