Research Scientist I

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?

This position will report to a Group Manager on Product & Sensory team 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 Suntory Global Spirits profitable growth and business success. This position provides 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 Ready to Drink products.

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.

• Responsibility to help further develop RTD capabilities alongside cross-functional teams and external agencies to drive a key strategic priority for Suntory Global Spirits.
• Opportunity to work closely with internal cross-functional teams to help create and commercialize products and processes.
• Opportunity to provide global category, development, and production expertise and provide input into strategies to capitalize on the growth of RTDs.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead low complexity cost savings and line extension with guidance from managers and senior scientists as part of a cross functional project team.
• Collaborate with Global Satellite labs to translate Satellite Lab needs into relevant product design elements to maintain consumer, cost, quality, and regulatory requirements. Effectively partners on requests to execute responsibilities under broad guidelines set by the researcher.
• Manages own time, prioritizes work, and aligns on clear due dates with each requester. Responsible for tracking work, communicating variances from expectations, and implementing next steps to ensure progress is made to move the team forward.
• Consistently and accurately provides data, tracking, samples, solutions, etc. on projects, observing and reacting to situations in the lab and adjusting/re-calibrating as necessary. Plan and execute experiments using established laboratory/pilot plant/operation methods: interpreting and translating results into solutions. Follow best practices and SOPs for development and promote process improvements for procedures and practices.
• Communicates with manager and team members on a regular basis, with schedule updates and recommendations for efficiency and effectiveness improvements. Builds and maintains relationships across the organization, cutting across functional and location boundaries.
• Participate actively in team building and broader Suntory Global Spirits and external initiatives.

Qualifications

• M.S Food Science or related preferred with minimum 1 year experience, or B.S. degree with 2+ years experience.
• Minimum 2 years work experience in food and/or beverage industry. Experience in research initiatives and in ready to drink alcoholic beverages or carbonated soft drinks a plus. 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.
• Proficient skills in planning and performing experiments, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including timely follow-up and commitment to deliverables, and openness to give and receive feedback.
• Desire to help build and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture within Global R&D and broader Suntory Global Spirits.
• Ability to work in office at least ~60% of time, balancing work from home, as business needs require.
• 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. 5-15% with half local Kentucky operations and Chicago/NYC corporate offices, and balance other Suntory Global Spirits locations.
• 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 50 pounds.
• Must be able to taste limited quantities of alcoholic beverage samples in accordance with evaluation/research needs.
• Preferred: Familiarity with systems and data analysis, including experience with Power BI, and demonstrated ability to quickly learn and leverage technology and digital tools

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.