VP, Channel Strategy & Planning

About the Company

Suntory Beverage & Food strives to be the most locally beloved beverage company in every market we serve. Guided by our founding principles of "Growing for Good," "Yatte Minahare" (the spirit of bold ambition), and "Giving Back to Society", we pursue sustainable growth, bold innovation, and meaningful social impact. Across the Asia Pacific region, we proudly offer trusted brands including Ribena®, Lucozade Sport™, BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken, Tea+, BOSS Coffee, V Energy.

About the Role

As Vice President, Channel Strategy & Planning, you will define and lead the strategic channel growth agenda across Asia. This role is accountable for developing channel frameworks, planning methodologies, and execution governance that enable Business Units to deliver sustainable growth and profitability. You will act as a key integrator across Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain, translating corporate strategy into actionable channel and customer plans through insights-led planning, segmentation, and investment prioritisation. This role will be based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement structured channel segmentation frameworks based on growth potential, shopper behaviour, and strategic importance.
• Leverage data and insights to identify channel dynamics, purchase drivers, and growth opportunities.
• Partner with RGM, RTM, and BU channel leaders to develop differentiated channel strategies and establish prioritisation frameworks to optimise resource allocation and maximise ROI.
• Develop and deploy regional playbooks for Traditional Trade (TT) and Modern Trade (MT) channels and lead integrated annual planning (MTP & AOP) ensuring cross-functional alignment.
• Establish structured frameworks for situation assessments, trend analysis, opportunity identification, and drive joint business planning with customers through tools, templates, and governance.
• Contribute commercial inputs into innovation pipelines and ensure strong business cases aligned with channel strategies.
• Define performance scorecards, governance mechanisms and KPIs to track execution and outcomes, and establish real-time tracking systems in partnership with BU teams and IT.
• Develop shopper marketing strategies and frameworks for the Perfect Store / Perfect Outlet Programme, define channel-specific Picture of Success (PoS) and translate PoS into measurable KPIs (distribution, visibility, pricing, execution quality).
• Integrate execution frameworks into CRM/SFA tools and field routines, enable capability building through training, playbooks, and incentive alignment.
• Identify performance gaps and root causes, lead corrective actions, and implement structured governance and review cadences to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in FMCG or beverage industry with a proven track record in multi-channel strategy, commercial planning, or sales transformation.
• Experience working across regional or international markets; role based in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen with experience in channel segmentation and investment frameworks, joint business planning, category growth, and Perfect Store programmes.
• Highly analytical with experience in KPI design, dashboards, and performance tracking, and familiarity with planning systems, CRM/SFA tools, and analytics platforms (e.g., Power BI, Nielsen, IRI).
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape the regional commercial excellence agenda across Asia.
• High visibility role partnering with senior leadership across multiple markets.
• Drive impactful transformation through data-driven decision making and channel innovation.
• Be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to sustainable growth.

Additional Information

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and encourage candidates from varied backgrounds to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available during the interview process as needed.