The posting
REGIONAL RESEARCH AND OPERATIONS MANAGER – Asia Pacific Expansion (Hands-On Management and Operator Only)
We are looking for a hands-on Regional Research and Expansion Manager with strong research skills and retail expansion, business development, and multi-country operations experience. Since the person will be responsible for setting up operations in New York, New Zealand, and Australia from scratch, the ideal candidate should possess resourcefulness in obtaining needed knowledge and information, as well as manage the entire process independently, from ground up research about the economic, social and business contexts of the locality, finding retail locations to launching stores, recruiting teams, and establishing operating procedures. He or she must be willing to stay overseas indefinitely and not leave the projects especially at their beginning stages.
The role is for someone who can be the lead person, not someone who “supported” or “assisted” before.
Expectations:
• Establish baseline knowledge through in-situ research about the social and business environment of the target locations; • Oversee the setting up of physical retail stores in 3 countries (site sourcing, renovation, launch) based on sound research; • Build and launch online sales channels in each market; • Source and negotiate with landlords, contractors and suppliers at the lowest possible cost; • Hire, train and manage overseas sales teams; • Monitor operations remotely (including implementing surveillance systems); • Create and enforce SOPs and operational standards across all countries; • Drive execution from zero to fully operational by mid next year.
Familiarity with Grants and Cost Optimization (Non-Negotiable)
You must know how to use grants to reduce expansion cost.
• Proven experience securing and managing Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant and Enterprise Development Grant; • Ability to structure projects to maximize claimable expenses and approvals; • Experience working with Enterprise Singapore is expected; • Exposure to Singapore Economic Development Board is a plus (not mandatory).
Who We Are Looking For (Strict Requirements)
Qualifications & Requirements
• Relevant Research and Management Experience: Minimum 8 to 10 years of experience in doing on the ground research and social and economic scanning of the community needs and business climate; in order to plan the framework for retail operations, business expansion, store development, or regional management based on obtained baseline knowledge and research; preferably with a proven track record of launching new retail outlets or entering new markets.
• Knowledge in Policies in different Settings: Demonstrated ability to research and understand relevant policies that will impact and shape the future of the projects and oversee compliance with relevant existing policies.
• Experience in living in an international setting for multi-country expansion: Demonstrated ability thrive in various settings internationally and lead the scaling of retail operations across multiple countries, including site selection, lease negotiations, store renovation, setup, and grand opening execution.
• Retail Site Research, Sourcing & Development: Experience identifying suitable retail locations, evaluating foot traffic and commercial viability, negotiating lease terms, and coordinating renovation and fit-out projects from start to completion.
• E-commerce & Digital Sales: Research and explore ways of launching and managing online sales channels, including e-commerce platforms, local online marketplaces, payment gateways, logistics, and fulfilment arrangements.
• Project Budget Management: Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure competitive rates from landlords, contractors, suppliers, and service providers while maintaining quality and meeting project budgets.
• Recruitment & Team Leadership: Proven ability to recruit, train, supervise, and motivate local sales teams and store managers across different markets, with a focus on sales performance, productivity, and accountability.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Experience developing, implementing, and enforcing SOPs, internal controls, reporting systems, and consistent operational standards across multiple locations.
• Project Management & Execution: Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, establish timelines and milestones, coordinate local stakeholders, resolve operational issues, and deliver projects within agreed deadlines.
• Financial & Commercial Acumen: Ability to prepare and manage operating budgets, monitor expenses, analyse performance, and identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Research on Local Market Knowledge: Ability to study and understand labour requirements, and business environments in New York, New Zealand, and Australia.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent English communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with overseas employees, landlords, contractors, suppliers, and local business partners.
• Adaptability & Independence: Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, start-up environment with minimal supervision and frequent travel when required.
• Education: Master’s Degree in any of the following fields: International Relations, Business Administration, Retail Management, Operations Management, Project Management, or a related discipline. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
• Travel Requirements: Willingness and ability to travel internationally and stay overseas indefinitely as required to oversee store development, conduct site visits, train local teams, and ensure successful market launches.
Additional requirements
1. Proven track record of conducting sound research for launching new businesses
The candidate must have personally led at least one new store opening or market-entry project, ideally from site selection through launch and initial operations.
2. Strong cost-control mindset
Must demonstrate the ability to work within tight budgets, compare vendor quotations, negotiate commercial terms, prevent unnecessary expenditure, and deliver projects cost-effectively without compromising essential standards.
3. Deadline-driven execution
Must be capable of developing a detailed market-entry plan with clear milestones and taking full ownership of delivering operational stores and online sales channels in all three markets by June/July 2027.
4. Strong systems and accountability
Must be comfortable establishing measurable KPIs, regular reporting routines, inventory controls, staff performance reviews, and lawful security-monitoring procedures to maintain oversight of overseas operations.
5. An owner-operator mentality
Must be willing to handle both strategic planning and ground-level execution, including visiting properties, meeting contractors, resolving launch issues, recruiting staff, and troubleshooting day-to-day operational problems.
You must be able to show:
• Past projects you personally managed • Countries, timeline and results • Your exact role and decisions made • Evidence of grants secured and claimed • Contactable references
