Manager, Customer Development - On Premise

What makes this a great opportunity?

The Manager, Customer Development – On Premise will provide internal support to the Suntory Global Spirits’ On Premise sales teams via data analytics, RFP (sales presentation) development, strategic meeting preparation, and translation of research and insights into actionable recommendations. This role will also leverage On Premise insights platforms to influence and impact customer decisions – including, but not limited to, assortment analytics, analysis of market trends and delivery of relevant consumer/shopper trends impacting the beverage alcohol category. The strategic insights provided to key On Premise external customers will be across Full Bottle Spirits, Ready to Drink, and Ready to Serve, positioning Suntory Global Spirits as the premier thought leader and preferred strategic partner among distilled spirits suppliers. The individual will as well guide and assess category management output delivered by our strategic distributor partners, ensuring their efforts are focused against the most strategic objectives in our portfolio.  

What Makes This a Great Opportunity

• Play an integral role in enhancing connectivity between Suntory Global Spirits (SGS) and key accounts by delivering solution-based recommendations, steeped in robust analytics and insights
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Shopper/Consumer Insights, Finance, Commercial Analytics, Channel Marketing and distributor partners to ensure SGS plays an oversized role while achieving their objectives within Distilled Spirits.
• Opportunity to join world class Distilled Spirits supplier:
  • Global leadership positions in Bourbon and Japanese whiskey
  • Recipient of 20+ employer of choice awards
  • 3rd largest Premium Spirits Supplier, globally.

Role Responsibilities

• Deliver category management fundamentals with an emphasis on influence, impact, and thought leadership to drive long-term strategy
• Mine data across multiple sources to analyze product trends, emerging segments, consumer preferences, and channel/market shifts and synthesize information into actionable insights
• Create and deliver impactful presentations, rooted in data insights, to impart strategic guidance
• Highly adaptable, working well in an environment of change, and the ability to lead autonomously in a fast paced, unstructured entrepreneurial environment 
• Continuously improve the quality of insights, reporting, and tools available for the On Premise sales team to drive impact and efficiencies
• Organized, able to manage multiple projects, customers and distributor partners simultaneously
• Ability to work effectively with cross functional teams, both internal (Sales, Finance, Marketing) and external (Distributor, Customer) to deliver SGS financial objectives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related discipline 
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in category management or associated work experience, experience in Category Advisor role an advantage 
• Experience with syndicated data, such as NielsenIQ, Circana, Technomic, Datassential, or relevant shopper data
• Experience working in beverage alcohol industry an advantage; previous On Premise experience a plus
• Strong commercial acumen and knowledge of retail practices and store environments  
• Proficient skillset with MS Office, Space Planning Software and data visualization
• Strong presentation and communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to travel when needed 

The salary range for this role, based in Illinois, is $95-105K, along with an annual bonus, 401K match, profit sharing, and medical and wellness benefits. The salary range is commensurate with the candidate’s location, experience, and skillset.