Senior Marketing Manager

What makes this a great opportunity?

Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with $5.5 billion in annual revenues and an ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. We have a strong vision and strategy, an incredible brand portfolio grounded in quality and craftsmanship, an unwavering commitment to sustainability and top talent across the organization. We are focused on driving value across key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Scotch, Tequila and Ready-to-Drink. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, which is world renowned for delivering quality and excellence across a range of products and categories.

Purpose and Scope of Role

Lead the development and expansion of the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) portfolio in Greater China by formulating effective strategies to generate demand, building a robust innovation pipeline, developing successful channel strategies, and actively supporting the leadership team in establishing a business model and route-to-market for the RTD category.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the 3-year and annual brand plan for China (a priority market), aligned with global ambitions and in strong collaboration with the Global Brand Team and the China Marketing Director.
• Drive portfolio strategy development and execution. Collaborate with the Global RTD Team to develop a mid-term innovation pipeline, including China-specific innovations.
• Serve as an owner and inspirational leader for the new product development (NPD) pipeline, ensuring deep market and consumer insights, a focus on innovation, and a proactive search for business opportunities and consumer demand spaces.
• Support the leadership and Global RTD teams in enhancing the profitability of the category through Revenue Growth Management and production localization.
• Assist the leadership team in tailoring the route-to-market, enabling the creation of demand and effective competition.

Long Description

• Champion the development and execution of channel and pricing strategies.
• Deliver on key performance metrics: net sales, gross profit, and brand health. Adjust brand strategies and activation plans in response to a volatile environment.
• Develop and implement local communication and creative strategies to build brand equity in line with the brand’s DNA. Ensure the development of activation guidelines for different channels and regions.
• Provide consolidated and structured feedback from markets to global teams regarding strategic needs and key activities/initiatives.

Long Description

• Engage with China leadership and global teams to support supply and inventory management.
• Foster superior relationships with key stakeholders: internal (Commercial, Finance, Legal, etc.) and external (distributors and agencies) throughout their organizations.
• Own the brand investment strategy, ensuring planning, management, and close monitoring of annual brand investment as per budget. Ensure continuous improvement of marketing spend effectiveness and efficiency towards brand objectives.
• Proactively support the growth and development of direct and cross-functional team members.

Qualifications

The candidate should have a strong foundation in brand marketing, gained in multinational organizations. This profile is expected to lead the transformation of one of the key pillars of local and global strategies. Given the importance and level of exposure associated with this role, it presents an opportunity to develop a world-class marketing career at Suntory Global Spirits.

This role offers an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate and develop collaborative and inspirational leadership skills while achieving ambitious goals in a truly entrepreneurial manner. The ideal candidate will possess brand management experience in FMCG, beverage, or beer categories, with responsibilities that include China and international markets.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of consumer marketing experience
• Proven track record of success in a global matrix organization
• Strategic thinker with the ability to turn data into insights and actionable business strategies
• Strong commercial acumen
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and inspire
• Collaborative leadership style, excellent listening skills, and cultural sensitivity; proven ability to build credibility and excel in an international and cross-functional environment
• Ability to develop communication platforms and winning marketing assets from scratch
• Passion for digital and social marketing, along with familiarity with key digital marketing drivers
• Sound judgment paired with excellent adaptability, a strong willingness to learn, and a hands-on management style

Key Relationships

• Internal:  China commercial and brand teams, Suntory RTD Company, Supply chain/Operations, Procurement, Finance, Global Insights,  Global Innovation, Regional Leadership and Strategy team

• External:  Agencies; Distributor Partners, E-Commerce trade partners and platforms