Market Development Director Service

Many Australian food and agribusinesses have the brands and products which are in demand and have the potential to succeed in export markets – but lack the time, resources and international network required.

For the first time, we’re offering the opportunity to access our highly respected and experienced market development directors. At a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee, this service provides you with a wealth of international market knowledge, commercial acumen and buyer networks that will drive positive export sales results for food and agriculture businesses of all sizes.

Together, our Market Development Director Service will help you to identify and enter new markets, grow existing markets and ensure profitable outcomes.

This is an exclusive service with limited availability. To submit an application, please get in touch today.

Service Inclusions

Where you play and how well you execute your strategy matter the most for business growth. Get practical support from our Market Development Directors with over 40 years of experience in the F&B and agribusiness industry across South East Asia, Northern Asia, the Middle East, the USA and here in Australia. The service is tailored for your business to support growth domestically and globally.

The targeted insights from the Market Development Directors allow for nuanced analysis, sustainable strategy development and positive business outcomes.

Identify the markets that present the best commercial opportunity for your business based on current and detailed competitor analysis, consumer, channel and category trends, category and trade data, and market access requirements.

Engage the channels (distribution, retail, foodservice, e-commerce, industrial, private label and traders) that will maximise your market potential. 

Develop the export pricing models to deliver optimal volume and value outcomes for each market.

Design market-specific pitch decks that highlight your brand’s USP to attract buyer interest.

Pre-qualify buyers based on sales/distribution capabilities, and brands represented.

Negotiate pricing, KPI’s, activation programmes, etc.

Facilitate market compliance and registration.

Initiate sales orders and audit buyer performance across all agreed KPI metrics.

Inform new product development opportunities.

Maintain transparent and open communication to align export market development engagement with your commercial objectives and long term export success.

Meet our Directors

Najib Lawand

Founding Director

Najib Lawand founded Export Connect in June 2017 in order to use the skills, connections and expertise he acquired over 25 years in the industry to help food & agribusinesses prepare for the right markets and connect with the right buyers and grow.

Najib is highly experienced in export market development, having spent a quarter of a century leading Australian food-export businesses and agri-food industry development teams. The value of Export Connect’s services to Australian businesses is proven by our work. Since founding in June 2017, we’ve delivered 255+ projects for 150+ clients covering 20+ markets.

Howard Hurwitz

Market Development Director

Howard is a highly experienced FMCG sales and business development expert with an an outstanding record of achievement across Australian national key accounts as well as international export market development, specialising in the Asian, Pacific, and Middle East regions. He’s developed and launched proprietary and private label brands in national accounts across different categories and trade channels.

Howard has over three decades worth of experience in food marketing, having worked as the Export Manager for Cerebos Australia and more recently, as the the International Sales Manager and National Account Manager for Birch & Waite, where he was responsible for profitable sales and business growth nationally and across a range of international markets.

Cost Benefits

A fraction of the cost of training and employing a full time employee.

Breakeven point very early in Sales P&L.

Benefit from a fresh, objective perspective built on decades of expertise.

Access Export Connect’s network of buyers and suppliers, and extensive market research

This is an invaluable service which is limited to a select number of companies

To submit an application, please get in touch.

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