#1276232800
d 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
Lead the strategy at a 3 year and 2030 level across a broad variety of Ready to Drink innovation projects including planning and prioritizing resources to execute agreed upon timelines.
Ensure the innovation pipeline meets the growth ambition capturing an expected level of failure
Lead development of new to world RTD's including concept development, brand identity, positioning, and in-market asset development for all consumer touchpoints
Partner with core marketing teams to influence the core brand innovation pipeline to unlock best in class innovation plans on a 3 year rolling basis and ready for strategic account timelines
Manage a cross functional, multi-market team to deliver projects efficiently and effectively, from initial ideation, through concept development, liquid and packaging design, to commercialization in market
Work side by side with key marketing and consumer insights partners to inspire and facilitate development of products that target emerging and unmet consumer needs
Direct and influence the R&D product and packaging teams to develop excellence in taste delivery and pack presentation
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.
Identify and implement best practices within innovation from seed to sip, to develop even better ideas and a more efficient development cycle
Unlock significant improvement in the cross functional ways of working and closer alignment between the marketing top downsize of prize and sales forecast
Lead the projects through the gate stage in a timely manner ensuring stakeholders are managed in a timely way.
Coach, develop and lead direct and indirect reports to building innovation capabilities for all innovation roles and across the RTD business. Partner with the marketing director to unlock best in class core marketing plans.
Qualifications
• 7+ years Consumer Marketing or Brand innovation experience or a similar amount of solid experience in a related field
• BA required, (MBA preferred). Up to 30% travel
• Excellent interpersonal & leadership skills, with ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural, cross functional organization and a strong ability to develop and foster internal and external partnerships.
• Experience in FMCG, beer, beverage, RTD categories where highly agile innovation and strong competitor intensity exists
• 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.
• Strong capability in effective decision making and influencing of stakeholders including ability prioritize resources against the biggest wins
• Experience of influencing commercial teams and driving alignment
• 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 $170,000 to $190,000, 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.
Outcomes/Success Criteria
Grow our top line and profitability to help deliver financial goals for target RTD brands
Apply competitive, category, consumer, shopper, and retailer insights to identify opportunities and validate and optimize concepts
Help advance expansive innovation strategy, identifying white spaces, unmet consumer needs, and sources of future growth
Drive for fewer bigger better innovation projects through PDCA and cross functional working
Support ongoing innovation tracking and performance monitoring
Competencies - Organizational, Role Specific & Leadership
Organizational Competencies
Entrepreneurial Approach
Creating Innovative Solutions
Beating the Competition....Together
Role Specific Competencies
Adaptability/Flexibility
Problem solving/Resolution
Influence/Negotiate
Self motivation
Organizational skills/Planning/Time Management
Tenacity
Collaboration
Leadership Competencies
Delivers impactful results with integrity
Thinks and acts like an owner
Inspires engagement, passion and performance
Builds a winning team
Consumer centricity and deep understanding of how to assess and deliver against consumer unmet needs
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
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