Business Development Manager – Retail Expansion, Site Acquisition & Leasing
We are looking for an experienced and well-connected Business Development Manager to support the Group’s expansion across its beverage, bakery and retail brands. This role will be responsible for identifying and securing suitable retail locations across Singapore, with a strong focus on shopping malls, retail developments and high-traffic commercial locations. The ideal candidate should have strong knowledge of Singapore’s retail and shopping mall landscape, including mall positioning, tenant mix, rental rates, footfall, customer demographics and available retail spaces. You should also have an established network and strong working relationships with major shopping mall landlords, developers, leasing teams and property representatives, with the ability to identify opportunities and negotiate favourable commercial terms for the Group. This is a hands-on role covering the full process from site identification and evaluation to lease negotiation, store expansion and lease renewal.
Responsibilities:
- Retail Site Identification & Expansion
Identify and source suitable retail locations for the Group’s beverage, bakery and retail brands across Singapore. Proactively monitor upcoming vacancies, new developments, mall repositioning projects and potential retail opportunities. Build and maintain a pipeline of potential locations suitable for different brand concepts and store formats. Evaluate locations based on mall positioning, footfall, customer demographics, tenant mix, accessibility, visibility, unit size and commercial potential. Recommend suitable locations based on each brand’s target customers, business model and expansion strategy.
- Shopping Mall & Landlord Relationships
Develop and maintain strong relationships with major shopping mall owners, landlords, developers, leasing teams and property agents. Leverage existing industry networks and market resources to gain access to suitable retail opportunities and upcoming vacancies. Maintain regular communication with landlords and leasing representatives to stay informed of new opportunities, rental movements and mall developments. Establish the Group as a preferred and reliable retail/F&B tenant.
- Rental & Lease Negotiation
Lead negotiations with landlords on rental rates, lease terms, security deposits, rent-free periods, fitting-out periods, turnover rent, service charges, marketing fees and other tenancy terms. Analyse and benchmark rental rates across comparable malls and locations. Negotiate commercially favourable terms while considering the long-term viability of each site. Review and evaluate Letters of Offer, tenancy agreements and other leasing-related documents together with relevant internal teams and professional advisors. Identify potential commercial or contractual risks and highlight them to management.
- Lease Renewal & Existing Store Portfolio
Manage and monitor the Group’s existing retail lease portfolio and upcoming renewal timelines. Lead lease renewal negotiations with landlords and seek improved or commercially sustainable terms. Review rental increases, lease conditions, renewal options and other tenancy changes. Recommend whether to renew, relocate, renegotiate or exit a location based on business performance and market conditions. Maintain a clear database of lease expiry dates, renewal options, rental rates and key tenancy terms.
- Market & Rental Intelligence
Maintain strong knowledge of Singapore’s retail property and shopping mall landscape. Track rental rates, mall performance, footfall trends, tenant mix, new developments, competitor expansion and market movements. Conduct regular market and location analysis to support the Group’s expansion strategy. Provide management with insights on suitable malls, locations and commercial opportunities. Benchmark proposed rental rates and tenancy terms against comparable locations.
- Site Evaluation & Commercial Analysis
Conduct initial commercial assessments of potential locations. Work with Finance, Operations and Management to evaluate projected sales, rental costs, occupancy costs and overall store viability. Prepare site comparison and investment analysis for management review. Assess the suitability of different locations for different brands based on brand positioning, customer profile and expected sales potential.
- Cross-Functional Coordination
Work closely with Management, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Design, Procurement and Project/Renovation teams throughout the site acquisition and opening process. Coordinate site visits, landlord meetings, commercial discussions and handover requirements. Support the team from initial site selection through to lease execution and store opening. Ensure key commercial and tenancy information is clearly communicated to relevant stakeholders.
- New Business & Strategic Partnerships
Identify potential strategic opportunities with shopping malls, landlords, developers and other property partners. Explore opportunities for new store formats, pop-ups, kiosks, flagship stores and other retail concepts. Build long-term partnerships that support the Group’s expansion across Singapore and potentially the wider Southeast Asian market. Requirements: 5–8 years of relevant experience in Business Development, Retail Leasing, Property Leasing, Site Acquisition, Retail Expansion or a related field. Strong understanding of the Singapore shopping mall and retail property landscape. Proven network and established relationships with major shopping mall landlords, developers, leasing teams and property agents in Singapore. Strong knowledge of retail rental rates, mall positioning, tenant mix, footfall and retail market trends. Demonstrated experience in lease negotiation and commercial tenancy negotiations. Experience managing lease renewals and existing retail portfolios. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to evaluate the financial viability of potential locations. Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills. Able to work independently, identify opportunities proactively and drive projects from initial discussion through to completion. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with good attention to commercial and contractual details. Experience in F&B, beverage, bakery, retail, lifestyle or consumer brands is highly preferred. Strong knowledge of Singapore’s retail market; regional Southeast Asian experience will be an advantage.