NG1 - International Business Project – China Focus - MANDARIN SPEAKER

Placement:NG1 - International Business Project – China Focus - MANDARIN SPEAKER
Placement Location:Nottingham
Application Deadline:31st July 2012

Vacancy Description

Start date:  JULY
Duration: 3-6 months
Location: Nottingham  

The Host Company

The Host Company is an export-led niche manufacturer of static control equipment for hazardous areas, incorporating an innovative range of earthing and bonding equipment, monitoring systems and accessories. The company has a growing reputation in the worldwide chemical processing sector as a reliable supplier of products and services, and already has sales into China, currently via an official distributor based in Shanghai. The Host Company would like to have more available access to detailed market information, as well as raising awareness of their products and branding in China.The Placement

The Placement

The project the company envisages will last 3 - 6 months and incorporate desk research (based at our Nottingham offices) and at least one field trip, probably accompanied by our Export Sales Manager or other Company Executive. The ideal candidate would be a Chinese National who is studying a business or marketing related degree, with Mandarin Chinese as their mother tongue and also good command of English language.

Key areas the placement covers include:
• Potential market size for the Host company
• How is the market structured in terms of channels of distribution - End-Users, Resellers, Contractors, State Controlled Organisations.
• Identifying other market influencers and gate-keepers (consultants, regulatory etc)
• Identify any local technical standards
• Regional issues - where are the major concentrations of Chemical Process Industry
• Research the feasibility of covering the whole country with a single distributor, or suggest and investigate if the host company should divide the territory along regional/cultural lines with its own distribution accordingly.
• Identify competitors and alternative/substitute technologies, including comparison of pricing and technical features for local and imported products
• Identify any potential targets for cooperation, JV or acquisition, or innovative related products that could find markets elsewhere (Europe/North America etc)
• Review of marketing materials, website and tactics used to engage the Chinese market.

The Ideal Student

• Native Mandarin speaker
• Fluent in English at all levels
• Understanding of Chinese culture and how to do business in China
• International business studies and or Marketing background
• Good communication and people skills
• The ability to work well on your own and also as part of a team
• Good organisational, planning and time management skills
• Confidence, initiative, enthusiasm and determination
• Ability to develop and implement a marketing plan
• Good project management skills
• Knowledge of web technology and its effective use in business
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Good problem solving skills, an eye for detail
• Demonstrable ability to self motivate, work in cross-functional teams and remain flexible
• Willing to travel