Sr. Director, US Brands - Jim Beam
Beam Suntory
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?
As the Senior Director of Jim Beam at Beam Suntory, you will be a key leader in shaping the marketing strategies that drive our brands’ success in a highly competitive market and category. Reporting directly to the Vice President of American Whiskey for the US, you will act as the P&L owner for all Jim Beam Family which comprises one of Beam Suntory’s largest US sales priorities. You will lead a team of 4 -5 and be responsible for the delivery of our Annual Operating Plan for your brands, including budget planning and deployment guardrails, and the brand P&L. You will help the brand portfolio achieves sales, consumption, and share objectives for the Franchise. You will also serve as the key point of contact for any Jim Beam-related questions that come from the Global Brand House. As the Sr. Director, you will be able to marry creative acumen, media excellence, strategic prowess grounded in insights and consumer-centricity with a balanced understanding of culture relevancy and commercial levers to lead Jim Beam into the future.
Location: Chicago or New York
Role Responsibilities
• Lead development, deployment, and financial delivery of Annual Operating Plan across the Jim Beam portfolio
o Lead the US Jim Beam portfolio strategy (JBTDs, strategic imperatives)
o Lead performance management, evaluation, diagnosis, and associated action planning
o Lead identification and evaluation of risks/ opportunities through S&OP
o Accountable for raising any above-threshold variations to plan
o Partner with Field Marketing, business intelligence, and Commercial Marketing to maximize BI effectiveness, address gaps in planning, and support delivery of commercial P&L.
o Develop & align on gap fill programs when there is a void in national programming or commercial timelines can’t be met
o Determine budget allocation at GBU level, owning GBU brand budget broken out by market
• Serve as “first point of contact” for the Global Brand House Managing Director for all US portfolio needs / question areas related to Jim Beam • Lead the in-market execution of new product launches partnering with commercial marketing to plan and execute retail programs; provide support for future pipeline development partnering with innovation and global brand house team to ensure proper insights, ideation, positioning and subsequent transition to brand team for launching; partner with insights and commercial teams to ensure KPIs for success are defined and tracked
• Lead U.S. wide programming and experience development, including:
o Define and develop end-to-end national programs for brands, including strategic oversight of brand media planning and execution (w/support from Media planning team)
o Core market leader as consult/partner on Creative Review Team (CRT) in development of Global Experience Blueprint
o National alignment with key national customers both in-store, eCommerce, and Third Party (3Ps)
• Build robust programming that drives portfolio growth and works both nationally and at a local level
o Build and develop national and local sponsorship strategy
o Spend time in the market/s and consistently seek feedback from Field Marketing, Distributor, and Consumer to gain understanding of needs, trends, customer expectations and the competitive landscape
o Ensure timely communication flow to the Field Marketing team, and commercial marketing teams around important marketing updates
• Ensure consistent and cohesive asset development process:
o Manage iterative process of where and who is defining / developing assets between Global Brand House and North America Marketing
o Own agency relationships needed to facilitate adaptation and/or execution of local or portfolio asset and program needs
o Provide detailed marketing briefs to Commercial Marketing team to ensure delivery of all portfolio assets through the buy
o Define U.S. portfolio insights learning agenda for Jim Beam in conjunction with global insights and dedicated insights resource
o Partner with Consumer Connections team to help define the US social strategy and content requirements working with the Global Brand House
• Plans and directs performance of 4-5 reports: motivates employees, assists in goal setting, provides development opportunities and performance feedback, addresses issues and resolves problems.
• Creates a high-performance culture that instills integrity, creativity, teamwork, insight and excellence throughout the marketing organization.
Qualifications
14+ years of consumer marketing experience with premium, luxury goods, packaged goods or services
Experience leading a large, iconic priority brand in a local market within a matrixed organization and a large brand budget
MBA preferred
Proven ability to execute flawlessly on brand/marketing projects that align with the overall Brand strategy
Strong understanding of how to build brands that intersect with culturally relevant moments and touchpoints for today’s modern consumer
Understanding/experience in building brands that intersect with and move at the pace of culture
Self-starter with an ability to manage through ambiguity and transformation in a new strategic role within the organization
Experience in repositioning of brands locally
Demonstrated experience in working across and up, within the organization, gaining credibility amongst peers, managers and other commercial leadership
Strong collaborator across teams and functions
Proven ability to analyze and diagnose brand and market performance
Experience working in or with commercial sales or field marketing is a plus
Multicultural marketing experience is a plus
Experience with beverage alcohol industry and/or three-tiered distribution system a plus (soft drinks, beer, and other wholesale-distributed products)
Flawless communication skills in writing, meetings, and presentations
Demonstrated personal characteristics to be brand evangelist to local teams
Experience directing and managing multiple agency partners is preferred
Prior people management experience is required
Salary Range for New York, NY is $220k-$265k, plus bonus, along with a 401k match, profit sharing, and medical and wellness benefits. The salary range is commensurate with the candidate’s location, experience, and skillset. The range will vary if outside of this location.
While relocation, immigration, and/or tax compliance support are not guaranteed, we may offer assistance to successful candidates depending on factors such as role requirements in accordance with company guidelines.
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.