Sr. Director, NA Insights & Commercial Analytics

What makes this a great opportunity?

This role can be located in Chicago or New York. 

The Sr. Director, North America Insights and Commercial Analytics is responsible for providing strategic guidance and actionable insights to drive the growth of Suntory Global Spirits portfolio in the Americas (US primarily with a halo into Canada) which includes a range of iconic spirits brands such as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Yamazaki, and Hornitos.  This role also oversees the insights and analytics requirements of Ready-To-Drink category led by OTR and -196 brands as well as Spirits brands extensions into RTDs.  This role will involve overseeing consumer and shopper insights, marketing analytics, business forecasting, category/brand insights, and performance analytics to identify and capitalize on present and emerging opportunities.

By leveraging deep category expertise and leading a talented team 10+ FTE’s, the Sr. Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business through opportunity identification and strategic decision-making. The successful candidate will need to have a proven track record of delivering impactful insights, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives. 

The role reports into the VP, Global Head of Insights and Analytics (New York) and is a key member of the insights and analytics leadership team.  The key stakeholders are heads of North America leadership (Marketing and Sales) , Head of Strategy, Global House Managing directors and Commercial Leadership Teams.

Role Responsibilities

• Impact: Lead a well-established and respected function and capability within the North America and Global organization 

• Leadership/People Management: Build and lead a team, providing vision to team structure and capabilities; ensuring we identify and recruit the right people in the right roles to be successful. 

• Strategy Development: Drive high-impact, high-profile strategic consumer and market projects to deliver regional growth aspirations utilizing insights and analytics and translating insights into clear implications and stories to rally the organization. 

• Complex Problem-Solving: Opportunity to structure clear processes and develop strategic models to address ambiguous challenges including category forecasting, consumption forecasting and innovation delivery

• Senior-Leader Exposure and Influence: Regular engagement with, and presentation to senior level audience, including the North America and Global Executive Leadership Teams. Including the Global CEO and the President of North America. 

• Stakeholder Management: Influences every business function (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Strategy, R&D, Supply Chain, IT) by providing insights and analytics solutions and recommendations on varied business questions.  

• Regional Perspective: Requires understanding of market dynamics and drivers of growth across the US market. 

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience building and leading insights & analytics teams ideally in the Client-side
• Extensive Industry experience in AlcBev is highly preferred and CPG a plus

• Relevant bachelor’s degree required – master’s degree a plus 

• Analytical and strategic mindset to think about the near- and longer-term team and evolution of analytics and insights capabilities 

• High degree of intellectual curiosity and creative insight, coupled with a drive for actionable, tangible impact on the organization 

• Experience setting, aligning, and delivering an insights agenda / learning plan and accountability, and ability to ensure agenda is delivered with excellence. 

• Team player with ability to work well in a fast paced, unstructured entrepreneurial environment 

• Demonstrated experience in managing teams / leader of leaders 

• Solid understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and suppliers with a broad range of research techniques (including new approaches to the world)  

• Experience leading custom research across a variety of methodologies and business applications  

• Proven experience in synthesizing information from multiple resources including syndicated data and analysis 

• Deep experience utilizing predictive analytics and predictive modeling, with experience in statistical analysis and modeling, e.g. causal inference, significance testing, regression analysis, etc. 

• Demonstrated experience in creating scalable, repeatable processes 

• Proficiency in reporting / analytics and AI tools required 

• Experience with syndicated sources (e.g. Nielsen, IRI, Panel data, MRI etc.) and ability to generate category or brand insights and to form recommendations 

• Strong communication, influence and presentation skills with proven track record of using insights to influence executives and colleagues 

• Experience developing, aligning, and owning a team research budget 
• Willing to travel to key markets in the US

The salary range for this role, based in Chicago, is $240,000-$265,000, 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.