Manager, DRP Business Process & Systems, Global SCP&F CoE

At Suntory Global Spirits, we craft spirits of the highest quality and deliver brilliant experiences to people around the world. 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. Suntory Global Spirits is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

What makes this a great opportunity?

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark Bourbon brands and Suntory Whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's and Legent Bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese Whisky; Teacher's, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch Whisky; Canadian Club Whisky; Hornitos and Sauza Tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle Vodka; and Sipsmith and Roku Gin.

The Manager of Business Systems, Global SCP&F CoE, is a manager-level role responsible for supporting and advancing Suntory Global Spirits global Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) transformation, with a specific focus on DRP. This position centers on the integration and continuous improvement of distribution planning, inventory deployment, and analytics systems across the enterprise. The role is pivotal in ensuring the successful implementation and ongoing optimization of business applications that enable end-to-end distribution planning processes, supporting the company’s strategic objectives and operational excellence.

Role Responsibilities

The Manager of Business Systems, Global SCP&F CoE, is a manager-level role responsible for supporting and advancing Suntory Global Spirits global Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) transformation, with a specific focus on DRP. This position centers on the integration and continuous improvement of distribution planning, inventory deployment, and analytics systems across the enterprise. The role is pivotal in ensuring the successful implementation and ongoing optimization of business applications that enable end-to-end distribution planning processes, supporting the company’s strategic objectives and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
• Global S&OP Transformation: Support the multi-year, cross-functional transformation roadmap for S&OP, with a focus on integrating supply, distribution, and inventory planning processes and systems. Collaborate with global and regional supply chain leaders to ensure alignment and adoption of DRP and inventory best practices across DRP locations.
• Implementation Management: Lead and coordinate the implementation of business applications that support S&OP, DRP, and inventory deployment. Document system changes, upgrades, and process enhancements, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged.
• Distribution Requirements Planning: Support the deployment and optimization of DRP systems, including inventory positioning, replenishment planning, and network optimization. Ensure these processes are seamlessly integrated with supply, production, and demand planning to drive operational efficiency and responsiveness.
• Capability Building & Training: Develop, coordinate, and deliver comprehensive training programs for S&OP, DRP, and inventory planning applications. Monitor system usage, identify knowledge gaps, and provide ongoing support and education to users globally.
• Data & Analytics: Partner with IT and business leaders to enhance system and analytics capabilities for supply, distribution, and inventory planning. Lead data cleansing, validation, and problem-solving initiatives to ensure data integrity and global consistency in reporting and decision-making.
• Business Systems Support: Monitor user adoption and system performance, resolve issues, and maintain thorough documentation for all DRP systems. Serve as the primary liaison between the CoE and IT support teams, ensuring timely resolution of technical challenges.
• Continuous Improvement: Leverage business metrics and KPIs to identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities across distribution and inventory planning. Support the development of business cases for new projects and translate business needs into technical requirements.
• People Management & Leadership: Support the assessment and development of talent within the S&OP, DRP, and inventory planning user communities. Foster a culture of engagement, collaboration, and inclusion, in line with Suntory’s leadership behaviors and values.
Major Interfaces
• Global and regional supply chain leaders
• Global CoE leaders
• Regional and operating unit supply chain leaders
• Distribution and inventory planning teams
• IT leaders for planning, finance

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of demonstrated operational experience supporting S&OP, DRP, or inventory planning software applications for a major business unit, preferably in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) or spirits industry
• End-to-end supply planning knowledge (production, materials, inventory, distribution requirements)
• Hands-on experience with SAP ECC, SAP APO, and SAP IBP (including DRP and inventory planning modules) strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of digital technology and best practices in supply, distribution, and inventory planning
• Proven ability to develop and deliver cross-functional training materials and programs
• Technical proficiency to diagnose, correct, and test software and data issues in partnership with IT
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build effective business partnerships
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and facilitation skills
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field preferred
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with globally dispersed cross-functional teams at any level of the organization; acute business acumen & understanding of organizational issues or challenges
• Strong leadership qualities & organizational skills with ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities & assignments
• Comfortable navigating high change, unstructured environments that require creative approaches to influence & communicate to a broad base of cross-functional stakeholders and peers with varying stakeholder needs

The salary range for this role, based in Chicago, is $105,000-$115,000, 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.

While relocation, immigration, and/or tax compliance support are not guaranteed, we may offer assistance to successful candidates depending on factors such as role requirements in accordance with company guidelines.

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.