Manager, US RTD Innovation - On the Rocks

At Suntory Global Spirits, we craft spirits of the highest quality and deliver brilliant experiences to people around the world. Suntory Global Spirits has evolved into the world's third largest leading premium spirits company ... where each employee is treated like family and trusted with legacy. With our greatest assets - our premium spirits and our people - we're driving growth through impactful marketing, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Suntory Global Spirits is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

Suntory Global Spirits inspires human connections, memorable stories and family legacies by Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Rooted in two centuries of family heritage, Suntory Global Spirits has evolved into the world's third largest premium spirits company... where each employee is treated like family and trusted to be custodians of our world-class portfolio of brands steeped in legacy. With our greatest assets - our premium spirits and our people - we're driving growth through impactful marketing, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Position Location: New York or Chicago

Role Mission

On The Rocks is an award-winning Ready to Drink cocktail, pioneering a new standard in the category combining craft cocktail quality with endless convenience. Founded by bartenders but made for everyone, the brand has set the standard in what Ready to Drink cocktails should be, both for bottles as well as cans. The On The Rocks Innovation Manager will work on the Brand team to set and execute an innovation agenda that propels an already high-growth brand into its next stage of growth, working collaboratively across teams to ensure the brand executes on the right concept at the right time with the right level of support to ensure successful new product launches that are sustainable over time.

What makes this a great opportunity?

• The Alcoholic Beverage industry is an exciting, dynamic, and fast-paced business. Suntory Global Spirits is a top player in the spirits business and focused on becoming a top player within the Ready to Drink category, capturing new consumers and occasions not currently being serviced by our full bottle strength spirit brands in our key markets
• This individual will serve as an integral part of the North America’s RTD team to drive growth in an exciting category will have the opportunity to shape Suntory Global Spirits’ long-term ambitions in the Ready to Drink Space in the US
• Opportunity to work on an exciting, priority category – to set and implement brand strategies in conjunction with cross-functionals (R&D, Finance, Consumer Insights, etc.), and to partner with sales / commercial teams to ensure execution of strategies and tactics
• Serve as lead brand steward in developing plans to extend Suntory Global Spirits’ presence in the Ready to Drink space in the US Role Responsibilities
• On the Rocks Innovation: Drive the innovation agenda for the On the Rocks brand, from ideation to commercialization. Collaborate with brand marketing, insights, R&D, supply chain and commercial stakeholders to bring new products to market
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Manage cross functional team to deliver projects efficiently and effectively, from initial ideation, through concept development, liquid and packaging design, to commercialization in market
• Excellent Products: Direct and influence the R&D product and packaging teams to develop excellence in taste delivery and pack presentation
• Insights: Monitor consumer trends in needs, occasions, flavors and drink experiences, and recommend activities and projects to maintain our position of leadership within the spirits industry
• Project Management: Oversee the end-to-end management of innovation projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with Market Development and Commercialization Team to ensure our sales teams are set up for success for new innovation launches
• Innovation Strategy Support: Support the innovation strategy for the RTD business through leadership of On the Rocks innovation recommendation, ensuring alignment Suntory RTD Company ambition

Qualifications & Experience

• 3-5 years Consumer Marketing or Brand innovation experience or a similar amount of solid experience in a related field
• BA required, (MBA preferred). Up to 20% travel
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural, cross functional organization and a strong ability to develop and foster internal and external partnerships
• Self-starter, flexible and comfortable working in unstructured environment, and able to manage multiple priorities effortlessly
• Passionate and determined, committed to delivering projects on-time and above expectations
• Demonstrated experience in working across and up, within the organization, gaining credibility amongst peers, managers and other commercial leadership
• Resourceful, with a problem-solving attitude and willingness to think creatively to reach resolutions
• Collaborative and able to build bridges across cross-functional teams and geographies; more specifically strong communicator, active listening skills, ability to listen for feedback and validate and address concerns; and excellent influencing and presentation skills

Salary Range - The salary range for this role, based in Chicago is $130,000 to $140,000, 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. 

At Suntory Global Spirits, people are our number one priority, and we believe our people grow together in diverse and inclusive environments where their unique insights, experiences and backgrounds are valued and respected. Suntory Global Spirits is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, military veteran status and all other characteristics, attributes or choices protected by law. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant’s skills and experience.