Company Description
AKASO focuses on delivering high-quality, affordable action cameras that empower individuals to capture and share their special moments. Within less than nine years, AKASO has become a leading global brand in the action camera market, with annual sales exceeding half a million units. Guided by the spirit of “Go Beyond,” the company inspires people to explore, enjoy, and capture the excitement of outdoor sports and recreation. AKASO is dedicated to encouraging adventure and making memorable experiences accessible to everyone.
Job Purpose
The Channel Development Manager will be responsible for establishing and managing the physical distribution network for the AKASO action camera brand across key cities and regions in India. This includes distributors, wholesalers, and retail points of sale. The objective is to drive rapid market penetration and enhance terminal visibility while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities1. Channel Network Development and Expansion
- Conduct market research to identify and evaluate exclusive or non-exclusive dealers and wholesalers with strong credibility in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
- Develop and execute channel recruitment plans, negotiate business terms, define cooperation models, credit periods, and finalize distribution agreements.
- Drive product placement and visibility across major sports stores, electronics retail chains, Large Format Retailers (LFR), and camera specialty stores.
2. Sales and Performance Management
- Achieve Primary Sales (sales to distributors/wholesalers) and Secondary Sales (sales to end retailers/consumers) targets for the offline channel.
- Monitor distributor and retail inventory levels to maintain healthy stock turnover and avoid overstocking or stockouts.
- Coordinate with internal logistics teams to ensure timely supply.
- Plan and implement offline promotional activities, in-store displays, demonstrations, and deliver ROI-based reporting.
3. Brand Image and Training
- Oversee installation and maintenance of Point of Purchase (POP) materials and all retail display elements to ensure consistent and high-quality brand presentation.
- Conduct product knowledge training for distributor and retail sales staff to enable effective communication of product value and features.
4. Risk Control and Compliance
- Monitor retail prices across offline channels to ensure alignment with online pricing and prevent price conflicts.
- Ensure compliance with company financial policies, local regulations, and anti-corruption standards in all transactional processes.
Qualifications1. Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Marketing, Business, or related fields.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in channel development and sales management in India.
- Preferred experience in Consumer Electronics, Mobile Accessories, Cameras, or Durable Goods sectors.
- Strong track record in establishing or expanding offline distribution networks for new brands or products.
2. Skills Requirements
- Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
- In-depth understanding of retail market structures, channel margins, and competitive dynamics across Indian states.
- Strong financial acumen, including P&L understanding and channel economics.
- Fluency in English and relevant regional languages (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, etc.).
- Existing connections with major offline distributors, wholesalers, and key retail chains will be considered a significant advantage.
3. Core Competencies
- Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work independently.
- Strong result orientation with a focus on achieving sales and distribution targets.
- High integrity and compliance awareness in financial and contractual dealings.
Travel Requirement
- Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned territory to visit distributors and retail partners.
- If you want, I can also compress this into a shorter LinkedIn-friendly version.