Assistant General Manager – Business Development (Lab-Grown Diamonds) Role Overview: In the context of India's rapidly expanding lab-grown diamond sector 32% annually and its position as the world's largest lab-grown diamond exporter, we are seeking an experienced Assistant General Manager (AGM) – Business Development to drive strategic growth. The AGM will spearhead B2B partnerships, expansion into new domestic and international markets, identification of new business opportunities, and management of strategic client relationships to achieve ambitious revenue targets in the lab-grown diamond industry.Job TitleAssistant General Manager – Business Development (Lab-Grown Diamonds)LocationPune, Maharashtra, India (with pan-India reach and international market focus)Reporting ToChief of Business Development – Sales, Strategies & Business Development Key Responsibilities• Business Development Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy for the lab-grown diamond vertical, targeting growth in both domestic and export markets. This includes setting sales goals, market positioning, and go-to-market plans aligned with company objectives.• B2B Partnerships & Alliances: Identify, pursue, and secure strategic B2B partnerships with jewellery retailers, manufacturers, and distributors in India and abroad – including international luxury brands looking to expand their sustainable lab-grown jewellery offerings. Build and nurture long-term relationships, negotiate win-win agreements, and coordinate onboarding of new partners.• Market Expansion: Lead expansion into new markets across India and internationally, focusing on major export regions such as the U.S. and Europe. Conduct thorough market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities, adapt strategies to local market needs, and successfully launch the company’s presence in untapped regions.• New Business Opportunities: Continuously scout for and evaluate new business opportunities and revenue streams. This includes exploring new customer segments (e.g. luxury retail chains, e-commerce channels), new product lines or services, and strategic alliances that complement the core lab-grown diamond business. Develop business cases and proposals to pursue high-potential opportunities.• Client Relationship Management: Oversee key strategic client accounts and partnerships, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction. Maintain regular communication with major B2B clients, understand their needs, and work on solutions to deepen the partnership. Resolve high-level client issues and ensure retention and growth of critical accounts through superior relationship management.• Revenue & Sales Growth: Drive and achieve sales/revenue targets for the business development function. Monitor sales performance metrics, pipeline and conversion rates, and take proactive measures to boost results. Work closely with the sales team to ensure leads are effectively converted and that the revenue goals are met or exceeded.• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams – including Marketing, Product Development, Operations, and Supply Chain – to ensure alignment in fulfilling business deals and delivering on partner expectations. Provide market feedback to product and production teams to help tailor offerings (e.g. specific cuts, certifications, or volumes) to market demand. Coordinate with the marketing team on co-branding or promotional activities with partners as needed.• Negotiation & Contract Management: Lead high-stakes negotiations with clients and partners, finalizing partnership terms, pricing, and contracts. Ensure that all agreements comply with company policies and profitability goals, and work with the legal department to manage contract reviews and secure favourable terms.• Market Intelligence: Keep abreast of market trends, competitor activities, and innovations in the lab-grown diamond and jewellery industry. Provide strategic insights and periodic reports to senior management, adjusting the business development strategy in response to industry shifts (e.g. changes in consumer preference toward lab-grown diamonds, new entrants, or regulatory changes). Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, and forums to network with potential partners and stay updated on market developments.• Team Leadership: If applicable, lead and mentor a small business development team. Provide guidance, set performance goals, and foster a results-driven, professional work culture. Conduct regular training or knowledge-sharing sessions to build team capabilities in product knowledge (e.g. diamond grading, certification) and sales excellence. Qualifications• Education: Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field. An MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is highly preferred.• Experience: 8–12+ years of experience in business development, sales, or strategic partnerships, with a substantial part of this in the diamond/jewellery industry (exposure to lab-grown diamonds or gems & jewellery sector in India is a strong advantage). Proven track record of driving revenue growth and expanding market presence in a B2B context is required.• Industry Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the gems and jewellery market, especially the dynamics of lab-grown diamonds versus natural diamonds. Familiarity with the diamond supply chain, cutting & polishing process, and industry certifications (IGI, GIA, etc.) for diamonds. Up-to-date on market trends and consumer preferences in both Indian and global jewellery markets.• Market & Export Familiarity: Demonstrated experience in expanding into international markets. Knowledge of key export markets and trade dynamics for diamonds/jewellery – for example, understanding demand in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and the regulatory/import requirements for those regions. Experience working with or within Indian market context (e.g. knowledge of major jewellery retail hubs, trade fairs, and local business customs) is essential.• Business Acumen: Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop business cases, interpret market analytics, and make data-driven decisions. Proficiency in using CRM software and sales analytics tools to manage pipelines and forecast sales.• Track Record: Proven success in negotiating and closing high-value deals or partnerships. References or examples of scaling a business unit, entering new markets, or significantly growing a client base will be a plus. Preferred Skills (Soft Skills)• Communication & Presentation: Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and strong presentation abilities for influencing high-profile stakeholders and representing the company in front of clients and at industry events.• Negotiation: Exceptional negotiation and persuasion skills to secure favourable terms and close deals successfully. Able to find win-win outcomes in contract discussions and handle objections or complex deal terms with ease.• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership and people management skills. Capable of inspiring teams, driving performance, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional departments. A proactive, lead-by-example approach to guide junior team members and rally them around business goals.• Networking: Strong industry networking abilities with an extensive network of contacts in the gems & jewellery sector. Well-connected with industry associations and trade bodies (e.g., GJEPC in India) and able to leverage these relationships to create new business opportunities and stay ahead of market trends.• Strategic Thinking: Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to think big-picture while also paying attention to detail. Skilled in developing long-term plans, spotting market trends, and aligning business development initiatives with the company’s broader strategy.• Interpersonal Skills: High level of interpersonal skills, including relationship-building, empathy, and cultural awareness. Comfortable working in a multicultural environment and handling clients from different regions. Strong customer-centric approach to understand and fulfil partner needs.• Adaptability: Agility and adaptability in a fast-evolving industry. Able to handle ambiguity, adjust strategies based on market feedback, and innovate in approach as the lab-grown diamond market matures. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)• Revenue Growth: Achieve and exceed targeted revenue growth (e.g., year-on-year percentage growth in sales) for the lab-grown diamond business line. Performance will be measured against quarterly and annual revenue targets set by the company.• Partnership Acquisition: Number of new strategic B2B partnerships or key accounts acquired in domestic and international markets. This includes successfully onboarding new high-value clients (e.g., jewellery retail chains, exporters, or brand partners) per quarter/year, contributing to expanded market reach.• Market Expansion Milestones: Timely achievement of market expansion goals, such as entering a defined number of new domestic regions or export countries within the fiscal year. Hitting these milestones (for example, launching operations in a new city or country by a set deadline) will be a crucial measure of success.• Lead Conversion Rate: The percentage of business leads/prospects converted into actual sales deals or partnerships. This will be tracked from initial contact or inquiry through to signed agreement, with targets for improving conversion rates (indicating efficient sales funnel management and effective pitching).• Client Retention & Growth: Maintain high satisfaction and retention rates among strategic clients, and achieve growth in revenue from existing key accounts. This can be measured by repeat business, contract renewals, and the increase in order volumes from top clients over time. Note: The AGM – Business Development is expected to embody the company’s values of professionalism, integrity, and innovation. The role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of India’s lab-grown diamond revolution, driving sustainable business growth in a cutting-edge industry. The compensation package will include a base salary aligned with the above KPIs, reflecting the importance of this role in achieving the company’s strategic objectives.