Job description
Category: Consulting
Location:
RegionalTrade & Marketing Lead
VirginiaDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) MarketingConsulting Services in Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific
Location:Must reside in ASEAN or APAC region
Anticipated Periodof Performance: January 1, 2027-December 31, 2027 (with option offour one-year renewals)
IDGis currently seeking a RegionalTrade & Marketing Lead to serve on the VirginiaDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) MarketingConsulting Services in Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific project. Please note that this position is contingent upon the awardof the proposal.
IDGis preparing a proposal to serve as the in-region marketingconsultant for the Commonwealth of Virginia's agricultural andforestry export promotion program across 14 Target Markets: SoutheastAsia (Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) and Asia Pacific (SouthKorea, Taiwan, Australia, Japan).
TheRegional Trade & Marketing Lead is the program's face in theregion and its primary point of contact. The role's core mandate iscommercial: generate new export sales for Virginia companies — manyof them small and medium-sized businesses requiring hands-on support— by building buyer relationships, executing trade promotionactivities, and converting leads into transactions. Success ismeasured in sales.
KeyDuties and Responsibilities:
Buyer development and matchmaking
Identify, qualify, and maintain relationships with importers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, and food ingredient buyers across the Target Markets
Build and maintain a buyer/partner database with contact details, engagement history, and viability assessments, updated monthly
Arrange one-on-one buyer meetings for Virginia companies during inbound and outbound trade missions, including buyer recruitment, scheduling, agendas, and logistics
Conduct due diligence on prospective buyers and advise Virginia companies on distribution, warehousing, and payment mechanisms
Trade promotion and events
Recommend and support participation in regional food and agribusiness trade shows: pre-show research (pricing, import regulations, competitor analysis), targeted buyer invitations, pre-arranged appointments, on-site exhibitor support, and post-show lead qualification and follow-up
Plan and execute at least one outbound trade mission to the region and one inbound buyer mission to Virginia annually
Develop and implement promotional activities: in-store promotions, retail and foodservice campaigns, digital and social media marketing, and promotional materials
Escort buyer delegations to Virginia and travel to the U.S. for meetings as requested
Market intelligence and advisory
Monitor and report on market conditions, tariff and non-tariff barriers, import regulations, labeling and ingredient requirements, and competitor activity affecting Virginia products
Deliver a monthly market intelligence report with actionable recommendations
Liaise regularly with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service posts and USDA Cooperator organizations in the region
Reporting and performance
Submit weekly activity reports (client interactions, buyer outreach, outcomes) and per-event activity reports with performance metrics
Track progress against annual program targets: 25 documented sales/marketing presentations, one outbound mission, one inbound mission, and four documented new sales accounts
Document export success stories on an ongoing basis
Copy VDACS on all correspondence with Virginia companies and maintain transparent, responsive communication with VDACS staff in Richmond
RequiredQualifications:
8+ years of experience in agricultural commodities, food, beverage, seafood and aquaculture products, and/or forest products trade in Asia — in import/distribution, export promotion, trade representation, or marketing
Demonstrated track record of generating export sales or closing trade deals, with specific, referenceable examples
An active network of food and agribusiness buyers, importers, and distributors in at least three of the Target Markets, including at least one of Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan (the region's highest-value import markets)
Hands-on experience organizing trade show participation, trade missions, and/or B2B matchmaking programs
Working knowledge of food import regulations, labeling requirements, and distribution channels in key regional markets
Full professional fluency in English (written reports are a weekly deliverable); professional proficiency in at least one regional language (e.g., Thai, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia/Malay, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin)
Based in SEA or APAC; ability to travel frequently within the region and periodically to the United States
Residence in the region for the duration of the engagement; absences from the Target Markets exceeding 30 consecutive days require advance notice and a designated alternate point of contact
PreferredQualifications:
Prior work with U.S. departments of agriculture, USDA Cooperators (e.g., SUSTA, U.S. Grains Council, American Hardwood Export Council, Food Export associations), USDA FAS, or comparable export promotion bodies (e.g., Austrade, KOTRA, JETRO counterpart engagement)
Experience representing U.S. food and agricultural products specifically, including familiarity with U.S. supplier expectations and trade financing/payment practices
Familiarity with forest products and hardwood trade in addition to food and beverage
Experience with digital trade marketing and social media campaign management in Asian markets
Existing relationships with regional food trade show organizers (THAIFEX, FOODEX Japan, Seoul Food & Hotel, Fine Food Australia, Food & Hotel Asia)
DetailsOriginally posted on Himalayas
Who can apply
Eligible countries: United States. Accepted UTC offsets: UTC-10, UTC-9, UTC-8, UTC-7, UTC-6, UTC-5, UTC+14. Review the full description for employer-specific work authorization, residency and schedule requirements.