VP - US RTD

What makes this a great opportunity?

Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with $5.5 billion in annual revenues and an ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. We have a strong vision and strategy, an incredible brand portfolio grounded in quality and craftsmanship, an unwavering commitment to sustainability and top talent across the organization. We are focused on driving value across key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Scotch, Tequila, and Ready-to-Drink. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, which is world renowned for delivering quality and excellence across a range of products and categories.

Role Responsibilities

MISSION OF THE ROLE
The VP, US RTD will lead the establishment and scaling of Suntory Global Spirits’ Ready-to-Drink (RTD) business in the United States, with full accountability for strategy, execution, and P&L delivery. This role will define and build the US route-to-market for RTD, with the ambition to become a leading player in the US across both spirit and FMB RTD.
Operating at the intersection of entrepreneurship and enterprise, this leader will build the business from the ground up while leveraging Suntory’s global brands, RTD expertise, and distributor network. The role includes shaping the portfolio, setting strategic direction, and building a high-performing, end-to-end organization.
Success will be defined by delivering strong financial results, winning in the marketplace, and building best-in-class partnerships with key distributors, including Southern Glazer’s and beer networks. Reporting to the President, Global RTD and serving on the America’s Leadership Team, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape a high-growth category in the US.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Vision & Commercial Strategy
•Define and lead the US RTD vision, establishing a clear 3–5 year strategic roadmap aligned with company growth ambitions and category leadership goals
•Build and operationalize the US RTD organization to enable scalable, sustainable growth
•Develop and execute consumer-led growth strategies, translating deep market, customer, and consumer insights into winning commercial plans
•Set and activate the US FMB strategy, ensuring competitive positioning and strong market penetration
•Continuously evaluate market dynamics and performance data to refine strategy, identify growth opportunities, and ensure the business is positioned to win in the marketplace
•Partner with Suntory Holdings and Brand Houses to leverage global expertise and drive innovation and portfolio expansion

2. Stakeholder & Distributor Management
•Build and sustain high-impact relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including a best-in-class partnership with key distributors
•Lead customer engagement strategies to drive execution excellence and achieve market share growth
•Collaborate cross-functionally and across regions to align on commercial and brand strategies, leveraging diverse perspectives to strengthen outcomes
•Establish strong distributor and customer partnerships to ensure consistent delivery against commercial and operational objectives

3. People Leadership & Culture
•Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, inclusive organization with a strong performance and accountability culture
•Provide clear direction, coaching, and ongoing development to unlock individual and team potential
•Foster a culture that balances high performance with employee well-being and long-term development
•Drive a results-oriented environment that continuously learns, improves, and raises performance standards
•Ensure all activities are conducted with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with company policies and regulations

4. P&L & Business Management
•Own full P&L accountability for the US RTD business, delivering against revenue, profit, margin, and market share targets
•Actively manage financial performance using all available levers to meet and exceed business objectives
•Lead day-to-day operations to ensure delivery of projects on time and in full, aligned with strategic priorities
•Balance short- and long-term priorities, identifying risks and opportunities to optimize performance
•Oversee the US RTD business and drive portfolio prioritization and innovation in partnership with Brand Houses

Qualifications

Experience:
•10+ years of progressive leadership experience with full P&L ownership in the spirits, alcohol, or broader consumer goods industry
•Proven track record of developing and executing long-term strategies that drive profitable growth in dynamic and evolving markets
•Strong experience leveraging consumer, customer, and market insights to inform business decisions and adapt strategies in changing environments
•Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity and drive results in complex, matrixed organizations
•Extensive experience managing internal and external stakeholders, including distributors, with a strong ability to influence and align diverse groups
•Experience working with third-party distributor networks, including knowledge of the three-tier system and FMB/beer landscape preferred
•Commercial and marketing leadership experience required; RTD experience strongly preferred
•Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred

Skills:
•Strategic Leadership: Ability to define vision, build robust strategies, and translate them into executable plans that deliver measurable business outcomes
•Consumer & Market Insight Orientation: Ability to stay close to the market and convert insights into competitive advantage
•Financial Acumen: Deep expertise in managing P&L, optimizing investments, and balancing short- and long-term performance
•Leadership & Talent Development: Proven ability to build, coach, and inspire high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive and growth-oriented culture
•Execution Excellence: Strong bias for action with the ability to drive initiatives from concept to completion, ensuring delivery on time and in full
•Collaboration & Influence: Exceptional ability to work across functions, regions, and external partners, breaking down silos and leveraging collective expertise
•Communication & Storytelling: Strong ability to clearly articulate strategies and influence stakeholders from executive to operational levels
•Resilience & Agility: Demonstrates persistence, adaptability, and composure in fast-paced, ambiguous environments