Brand Manager, Flavored Malt Beverage RTD - Chicago or NYC

Suntory Global Spirits • New York, NY

43d • $120,000 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Brand Manager will serve as an integral member of Suntory Global Spirits’ North America Ready to Drink (RTD) team, helping drive growth in the Flavored Malt Beverage (FMB) category. The role supports the development and implementation of strategic marketing for new-to-the-world FMB brands, contributing to long-term brand and portfolio development and to the assets and strategies needed to recruit consumers and achieve RTD ambitions. The position may be performed from the Chicago or New York City office.

The Brand Manager will help develop short- and long-term marketing objectives, analyze business performance, support budget management and forecasting, and contribute to annual brand planning. The role also supports marketing program and asset development, cross-functional and agency collaboration, commercialization projects, and ongoing brand stewardship. It requires working with local teams, distributors, field partners, and internal stakeholders to create actionable plans and evaluate their results.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of consumer marketing or brand/commercial strategy experience.
• Bachelor of Arts degree required.
• Ability to turn brand guidelines and concepts into actionable programs that excite consumers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to conduct structured financial analysis and turn data into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and execute projects aligned with overall strategy.
• Strong project management experience, including budget management.
• Ability to work in a complex environment with many stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively across functions.
• Experience working cross-culturally or desire to learn about different cultures.
• Ability to collaborate with agencies and other stakeholders to bring ideas from briefing through planning and execution.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment under pressure and time constraints.
• Knowledge of the alcohol and beverage industry, particularly the three-tier system and distributor partnerships.
• Willingness to travel to pilot markets as needed, up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

• RTD or beer experience preferred.
• Experience in field sales or field marketing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with creating short- and long-term strategic marketing objectives, strategies, and asset development for new-to-the-world FMB brands.
• Analyze business metrics such as depletions, distribution, velocity, consumption, pricing, and profit; prepare analyses and recommend actions.
• Help lead budget management and forecasting, including return-on-investment evaluation.
• Assist with strategic and annual brand planning, leading key plan elements and working with local teams to develop locally relevant marketing plans.
• Lead post-activation reviews to assess KPIs, identify what worked or did not, and recommend improvements.
• Support brand planning and concept creation for experiential, sampling, on- and off-premise point-of-sale, and other programming and assets.
• Assist with creative briefs, manage timelines, establish KPIs, and ensure programs align with national brand strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners and agency partners to identify media and partnership opportunities, develop recommendations, and execute plans.
• Ensure field teams, distributors, and other key partners understand and support plans, and gather their input during planning.
• Oversee end-to-end commercialization projects for masterbrand product and package updates in the Planisware system.
• Organize the annual brand planning process and ensure key deliverables are completed on time.
• Maintain regular contact with local teams and exchange competitive, regional, and inventory information to ensure plans follow a brand-led, market-fed strategy.
• Inform the central team about relevant developments in the FMB category and broader alcohol and beverage industry.
• Develop trade promotion materials, including sell sheets and educational materials.
• Build relationships with cross-functional partners, including Innovation, Insights, Finance, PR, and local field teams.

Benefits

• Annual bonus
• 401(k) match
• Profit sharing
• Medical benefits
• Wellness benefits
• Relocation, immigration, and/or tax compliance assistance may be offered to successful candidates depending on role requirements and company guidelines.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level