Brand Director, US RTD - On the Rocks

• A brand builder who brings both strategic rigor and powerful execution, linking brand strategy to operating plans that deliver on an ambitious growth agenda
• An inspiring people leader who effectively leads through ambiguity, building new ways of working problem-solving, inspiring, influencing teams, and working with executive and board-level leaders.
• A leader with experience managing brand P&Ls, who brings financial acumen and has the ability to turn data and insights into compelling marketing and growth strategies.
• A people leader with a passion for developing talent and capabilities, who proactively and creatively leads teams through growth and problem-solving.
• Strategic business and marketing acumen, reflected in the strategy development and execution/operating plans and results.

POSITION LOCATION: New York, NY or Chicago, IL

UNLEASH YOUR SPIRIT

• The OTR Marketing Director will be accountable for transforming one of the fastest growing franchises in US spirits into a global, iconic brand, propelling the franchise into the ranks of the top 100 global spirits brands.
• This leader's focus in the immediate term will be driving exponential growth in the United States, growing the franchise from $100MM NNSV to $250MM NNSV, setting up OTR as a share leader in premium+ spirits and a critical growth driver for Suntory Global Spirits North America.
• This role is a high-profile position that requires senior level stakeholder management with high exposure to the Suntory Global Spirits Executive Leadership team, the SHD Chairman and the Global Brand House and RTD Managing Directors.
• Managing the OTR portfolio involves a high degree of operational complexity and connectivity, requiring liquid planning & negotiations across multiple global brand houses and a high degree of connectivity and collaboration across strategy, innovation, data/insights, finance supply chain and US sales.
• This role requires championing, building, and embedding capabilities that are new and/or nascent to the US organization.
• This person will lead a team of 4-5 direct reports to deliver on clearly defined vision and prioritized brand initiatives.
• Success will be measured by sales performance (NNSV), consumer response (awareness & purchase behavior) and operational metrics and budget oversight of $30+MM
• External stakeholders for brand partners and agency management
• A resourceful self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, strong work ethic and adaptability towards change.

Role Responsibilities

STRATEGIC PLANNING
• Lead the brand strategy & execution that will exponentially grow the NA OTR franchise from $100MM to $250MM+ NNSV
• Lead development of 3-year strategic growth plans and annual operating plans for OTR.
• Build market/channel/ key account strategies, connection moment planning, and product mix and pricing

EQUITY BUILDING
• Build an iconic brand with a clear vision and brand world. Lead packaging, vis ID and brand foundation work.
• Translate insights into powerful brand narratives that engage consumer cohorts, elevate OTR's mission and promote OTR's unique equities.
• Deliver marketing strategies & execution plans that put OTR on the map as loved, widely recognized brand.
• Establish and lead cohort of agencies (packaging, viz ID, creative, PR, media, promotions) to build an iconic, cohesive, and differentiated brand world. Effectively manage relationships working collaboratively to deliver compelling results

P&L MANAGEMENT
• Manage the OTR P&L, balancing in-year growth with long term value, aligning brand investment plans against priority jobs to be done
• Lead team in tracking and analyzing business performance to identify areas of focus for plan optimization.
• Lead sales and operations planning process for the brand, including forecasting, base liquid allocations and inventory management.
• Lead Brand Investment effectiveness and efficiency initiatives to maximize brand investment impact.
• Partner closely with region and channel marketing leads to drive market/region/channel priorities and investment guidance in support of commercial execution and depletion plans

MARKETING EXECUTION
• Lead consumer strategy, working with Insights team to leverage consumer data to drive action, growth, and revenue, including for MC consumers and growth opportunities.
• Identify investment strategy to deliver growth plan and P&L management.
• Lead communications strategy and plan - define role of paid and earned media in delivering brand objectives, defining the requirements for a strong agency brief.
• Develop overarching Commercial Marketing strategy; to ensure alignment and connectivity between North America brand strategy and all on & Off Premise programming.
• Lead planning, funding, and deployment of innovation, linking back innovation strategy to overall brand strategy and growth plans
• Embed 'plan do check act' best practices, leveraging data and insights to set KPIs and to elevate sales and marketing planning & sales execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required, MBA a plus
• 10+ years of brand marketing / brand management
• Experience developing brand strategies and targeting a diverse set of consumers
• Team leadership: experience building and developing high-performing teams
• Strong analytical skills and inquisitive personality to dive into untapped opportunities and details
• Strong understanding of cross-functional roles to enable collaboration including finance, supply chain, sales, innovation, and strategy.
• Experience leading agency partners to guide teams in taking ideas from brief to plan and execution
• Flexibility in approach to enable strong collaboration across cross-functional partners and multiple senior stakeholders
• Able to deliver in a fast-paced environment under pressure/time constraints
• Experience working cross-culturally and/or desire to learn about different cultures
• Experience in fast moving beverages, RTD alcohol a plus
• Exhibit creative problem solving

The salary range for this role, based in New York, is $160,000 to $200,000, 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. The range will vary if outside of this location.

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: Manhattan
Nearest Secondary Market: New York City
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