Tequla Product Innovation Manager

Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Rooted in two centuries of family heritage, Beam Suntory 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. Beam Suntory is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

Tequla Product Innovation Manager  

The following position is open in Jalisco, Mexico.

What makes this a great opportunity?

This position reports to the Manufacturing Development Director (Casa Sauza's Master Blender) and assists the Master Distiller in the development of liquid innovation projects using an effective New Product Development (NDP) process (including materials and equipment requirements) that should be aligned with the overall Tequila Brand House strategy.

With this position Casa Sauza has a DNP service that goes from feasibility analysis to implementation and support, with an effective delivery of consumer and customer needs for new liquids.

Role Responsibilities

• Assists in identifying and creating innovative new products, platforms & processes aligned to overall Tequila Brand House and Casa Sauza strategy and go to market process.
• Directly accountable for technical development and implementation as part of cross functional project team, translating consumer/customer needs into relevant product/process design elements meeting consumer, cost, quality, and regulatory requirements, using an effective NPD process with supporting guidance of the Master Blender and Master Distiller.
• Plan and coordinate experiments using established laboratory/pilot plant/operations methods; interpreting results and translate into solutions.  Apply previous scientific work to experimental design and results. Follow best practices and Standard Operating Procedures for development and suggest improvements for procedures and practices.
• Work closely with Blending, Distillation, and other Operations team members to incorporate considerations of available liquid assets, plant capabilities and processes, into the work output.
• Participate actively in team building and broader Beam Suntory and external initiatives and share learnings and new science developed with other global technical partners for potential to adapt/adopt to other Beam Suntory products.
• Partner with external suppliers and development companies as required to extend product possibilities and identify evaluate and implement new enabling technologies and raw materials.
• Develop a solid technical and business understanding of the competitive set, supplier base and adjacencies, emerging technology, as well as on and off premise practices, trends and other external changes that could influence industry and product direction.
• Develop product design and operating specifications as well as provide input on ingredient, in-processes, and final product specifications on new or revised products as required; providing performance-based specifications, spec ownership and proprietary advantage where applicable to protect investments and block competitive potential.
• Share the commitment to Sauza’s performance levels in operational objectives (SQPDCME).
• Ensure compliance to all laws and company standards (IMS and OpEX).
• Ensure the effective closure of any CAPA issued for the NPD process

Qualifications & Experience

• B.S Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related with 2+ years’ experience preferred.
• Experience in assisting on research initiatives and in distilled spirits a strong plus.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in creating and working a plan for assigned projects.
• Ability to develop strong cross functional relationships within multiple functions such as, Marketing, Operations, Sourcing, Engineering, etc. to drive strong collaboration and results.
• Proficient with manufacturing scale equipment, process design and functionality.
• Proficient skills in Analytics for organizing and analyzing data and summarizing test results.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills.  Ability to develop strong working knowledge of lab operating procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including timely follow-up and commitment to deliverables, and openness to give and receive feedback.  
• Must be able to consume limited quantities of alcoholic beverage samples in accordance with evaluation/research needs.
• Self-starter, flexible, comfortable working in unstructured fast-paced environment, able to manage multiple priorities effortlessly.
• Team player with collaborative style and good listening and partnering skills.  Culturally sensitive, with ability to work effectively across cultures & time zones in a global multicultural cross-functional organization.
• Ability to travel globally to partner in project work with internal and external clients, as well as other BS facilities and global offices.

At Beam Suntory, 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. Beam Suntory 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.