Job Title: Franchise Manager Asia Pacific

Company History 

Illy caffè was founded in Trieste in 1933; the company manufactures and markets a unique blend of 100% Arabica espresso coffee and is the leading brand in top quality coffee. Almost 7 million cups of Illy coffee are consumed daily throughout the world. Illy coffee is sold in more than 140 countries and is served in over 100,000 of the world’s finest restaurants and cafés. There are over 230 Illy caffès and Retail shops in 43 Countries.

Illy purchases green coffee beans directly from growers of the highest quality Arabica, based on partnerships underpinned by the principles of sustainable development.  Illy encourages long-term partnerships with the world’s best growers in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa, sharing know-how and technology alongside paying premium for the best coffee beans to our growers.

The company also set up and runs the University of Coffee (Università del caffè) with a view to fostering and spreading the culture of coffee.  These centres of excellence provide comprehensive academic and hands-on training for coffee growers, baristas and fans covering every aspect of the product.

The company has approximately 1,177 people on its global payroll, and in 2016 posted consolidated revenues of €470 million.

Job Role: 

To work as part of the Illy Team based in Hong Kong in our further expansion of Illy Caffe in Asia Pacific. The role will work with our current franchisees to develop each existing country alongside developing new opportunities in APAC. Key focus areas:

1. To deliver the most customer focused coffee brand in the world through in-store customer experience
2. Operational Consultancy to our franchisees to maximise Sales and Profits growth
3. Manage compliance of our brand by our franchisees
4. Support delivery of new country and store openings within APAC
5. People Development: lead continuous operational improvement in our franchisee businesses
6. Professional Business Management: managing regular business review meetings, liaison between APAC and colleagues internationally, share best practices with Illy Trieste

Experience:

• At least 5 years Retail Operations Role, P&L accountability within multinational branded F&B business.
• Brand audit experience
• Experience of working within an internationally focused business environment, ideally experience of working within the APAC region.

• Has consistently delivered or exceeded commercial targets in their career.

• Ideally a mix of experience in both equity and franchised businesses.
• Structured Training or Coaching Experience is desirable

Skills

• Results oriented. 
• Customer Focused
• Must have an deep understanding of operational detail and know how frontline actions affect business performance
• Able to transfer best practice, both from and to franchise businesses
• Ability to coach positively and influence both peers and franchise operational managers
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Strong influencing skills, and the ability to build positive arguments.
• Analytical ability with all types of information.
• Presentation skills
• Proficiency in Asian language(s) preferred

 Qualities

• Energetic and Engaging
• An eye for detail

• Practical – hands on style and approach

• Entrepreneurial
• Credible, Articulate and well presented – must have gravitas, will be an ambassador for the brand 
• Resilient
• Proactive and self-managed
• Culturally aware
• Good team player and also able to work on own initiative
• Understands the value of good business processes and able to contribute to building them

Other

• Based in Hong Kong
• Willing to travel in Asia 50-70% of the time