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

Role Mission:

This position will report to the Senior Director Product Innovation and Technical Research within Global R&D. This role will work with cross-functional partners in the creation of innovative consumer and customer driven new products/platforms, quality improvements and cost savings, to drive SGS profitable growth and business success. This is a technical leadership position providing broad exposure to operations, marketing/business teams, finance, sourcing and other internal and external partners, providing R&D support on cross functional teams especially in relation to Product Development of Ready-To-Drink products.  This position will serve as an internal expert on technical processes, procedures and ways of working within the global team. 

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 focused on driving both category and brand growth. 

·      The Principal Scientist role is a key leader related to liquid innovation, optimization, quality and production of Suntory’s Global spirits portfolio, and provides broad exposure to operations, marketing/business teams, finance, sourcing and other internal and external partners, providing R&D support on cross functional teams globally.

·      This role will be instrumental in the building and development of our R&D capabilities in the region in support of our market growth in the region. 

·      This role is responsible for leading high-complexity, development related to the enhancement & expansion of product development capabilities, alongside cross-functional teams, to drive key strategic priorities.

·      In this role, there is opportunity to provide global product development expertise, coaching & input into a variety of straight spirit & RTD category initiatives through the broader team.       

Key Responsibilities

·      Initiate and/or lead large global, regional, or cross-functional projects that pertain to the exploration, improvement, development or implementation of new or existing products and solutions, specifically providing leadership in various aspects of product development for formulated products. 

·      Build and maintain relationships across the organization, cutting across functional and location boundaries. 

·      Manage the Gemba Laboratory in Shanghai, collaborating with the global team on equipment, materials, and processes.  

·      Collaborate with external suppliers and develop concepts to extend product possibilities and identify, evaluate, and implement new enabling technologies and raw materials. 

·      Proactively seek, demonstrate, and share understanding of the alcohol and non-alcohol market. Effectively incorporate this learning into business plans to drive new idea and technology potential. 

·      Partner with the Global Center of Excellence in Kentucky, USA on project support and execution.

·      Participate actively in team building and broader SGS and external initiatives. 

·      Continuous improvement mindset and ability to learn from past projects and find ways to reduce complexity, utilize learnings, and increase efficiencies within the process. 

·      Serve as internal technical expert with broad technical & scientific knowledge. High emphasis on coaching and mentoring other scientists and engineers, often leading team initiatives and complex experiments.  

·      Actively partner with external suppliers and development companies to extend possibilities and identify, evaluate and implement new technologies and raw materials.   

·      Must be fluent in Mandarin and English (speak, read, write). Understanding Japanese a plus.  

·      M.S Food Science or related field preferred with 6 years experience, or B.S. degree with 8+ years experience. 

·      Minimum 6 years work experience in food and/or beverage industry. Experience in research initiatives and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages or carbonated soft drinks preferred. 

·      Ability to develop strong cross -functional relationships within R&D as well as with Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, etc. to drive strong collaboration and results.

·      Culturally sensitive, with ability to work in a global multi-cultural & cross-functional organization, requiring ability to work effectively across cultures &/or time zones to accommodate global responsibilities. 

·      Must be able to taste limited quantities of alcoholic beverage samples in accordance with evaluation/research needs.

·      Ability to travel globally to partner in project work with internal and external clients, as well as support implementation at Suntory Global Spirits facilities – travel approx. 10-30% globally to various SGS locations, vendors, etc.

·      Must train in Kentucky, United States, for 30 days as soon as reasonably possible after beginning employment. After training is completed, this role will be based in Shanghai, China. 

·      Physically fit for work primarily in a lab, pilot plant and manufacturing environments, which includes long periods of standing, moving, and carrying or lifting up to 20 kilograms.