Sr. Brand Manager, US Brands - Maker's Mark (Finance)

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.

What makes this a great opportunity?

The spirits industry is an exciting, dynamic, and fast-paced business. Suntory Global Spirits is a top player in the spirits business and is focused on driving both category and brand growth. This is a great opportunity for you to work on one of the fastest growing, highest priority categories in spirits - to set and implement regional brand strategy in conjunction with cross-functionals (Sales, Global Brand Marketing, Finance, Consumer Insights, etc.). In this role, you will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams and external agencies to develop compelling plans that elevate this prestigious portfolio of Japanese spirits. You will lead a key strategic priority portfolio for Suntory Global Spirits in one of the top global markets. This role includes ownership of key regional projects, with the autonomy to drive decisions and the opportunity to provide category expertise, develop and deliver a national portfolio strategy, and provide input into the national American Whiskey Portfolio strategy.

Role Responsibilities

Developing and leading the Maker's Mark portfolio strategy, delivering compelling brand programs and experiences that elevate brand equity and meet annual KPIs on volume/sales/profit growth objectives.
• Lead brand building efforts for the Maker's Mark portfolio, sharpening the regional strategy and elevating brand experiences to build and strengthen strong consumer connections.
• Serve as critical in-market liaison to facilitate communication, planning, and execution between Global & market specialist teams, including channel, insights, and sales.
• Deliver market-relevant insights to Global brand teams to drive strategic alignment and portfolio optimization further.

Business Analytics:
• Analyze key business metrics (brand equity, consumer sentiment, distribution, velocity, profitability, pricing, etc.). Prepare analysis and make recommendations for action.
• Analyze and make recommendations on brand experiences and activities, including product, pricing, promotion (consumer and trade), and distribution
• Detailed budget management and forecasting, working closely with finance partners to actively and accurately monitor ROI and spending based on critical brand and business objectives based on brand and portfolio objectives
• Lead strategic and annual brand planning

Project Management:
• Lead market communication plans to include writing compelling creative briefs to deliver a clear point of view of how we will bring this diverse and pioneering portfolio to life in one of our most important global markets.
• Lead the discussions with customer marketing and critical cross-functional partners on program development and excellence in execution. Ensure all touchpoints (Experiential, PR, Media, Sampling,
etc.) align with the brand objectives and portfolio role, allowing for cohesion and customization when/where needed.
• Lead our cross-functional partners in identifying opportunities for elevated thinking, delivering innovative and immersive experiences that deliver on the Maker's Mark positioning and our portfolio objectives

Brand Stewardship:
• Provide brand expertise to our cross-functional partners and Global Brand House representatives.
• Provide strategic guidance based on local consumer and channel insights as well as market and category analytics to Global Brand Teams to bring stronger strategic alignment to mid-term plans
• Ensure our brand and promotion materials are clear, compelling, and up to date, including but not limited to Program overviews, educational experiences, digital assets, etc.
• Facilitate the exchange of information through your innate curiosity and passion for luxury consumer goods and spirits (competitive, product quality, etc.)
• Build relationships with cross-functional partners, including Marketing, Insights, Channel teams, market specialists, Commercial Planning, Sales, and Distributors

Activation:
• Partner with the Channel Teams to ensure omnichannel plans are on brand, innovative and worthy of the status Maker's Mark has created and continues to define
• Lead in the development of programs that effectively meet with and engage our key stakeholders (in-market specialists, bartenders, distributors), ensuring they are on strategy
• Develop local programs that support our annual plans and elevate the brand across every touchpoint

Qualifications

• 8-10 years consumer marketing/brand experience
• MBA preferred
• Travel 15-20% mainly domestic
• Proven ability to execute brand/marketing projects that align with overall Brand strategy
• Self-starter with an ability to deal with ambiguity and lead a team within a new strategic role within the organization
• Experience repositioning brands locally
• Demonstrated experience in working across and up an organization, gaining credibility amongst peers, managers and other commercial leadership
• Experience working in or with commercial sales or field marketing
• Multicultural marketing experience a plus
• Experience with beverage alcohol industry and/or three-tiered distribution system a plus (soft drinks, beer, and other wholesale-distributed products)
• Sound written & verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated personal characteristics to be brand evangelist to local teams

Salary Range - The salary range for this role based in Chicago is $165,000 to $180,000 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.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Senior Brand Manager, Marketing Manager, Field Marketing, Brand Manager, Branding, Marketing