Manager - Data Science & AI

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 the Manager of Data Science & AI, you will play a key leadership role in delivering AI and advanced analytics solutions that translate complex business challenges into measurable business impact. Reporting to the Director of Data Science & AI, you will lead multiple Data Science workstreams end-to-end, from problem definition and scoping through development, deployment, experimentation, and measurement. This role requires a highly technical, hands-on leader who can manage multiple resources and projects while effectively partnering with business stakeholders in a highly ambiguous environment. Qualifications General Qualifications Education: Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related quantitative field. Advanced degree strongly preferred.

Minimum of 5 years in Data Science, Machine Learning, or Advanced Analytics with progressive responsibility and demonstrated leadership impact. Four or more years building and deploying production AI/ML solutions in enterprise environments. Proven success leading data science programs in a global CPG, beverage, or similar fast-moving consumer-goods environment preferred.

Deep expertise in machine learning, AI, and statistical modeling with proficiency in Python, PySpark, SQL, and advanced analytics platforms. Working proficiency in cloud-native AI architectures (Google Cloud Platform, DataBricks), and scalable AI deployment. Experience with generative AI, deep learning frameworks, and modern AI development practices is nice to have. Strong background in A/B testing, attribution modeling, demand forecasting, and recommendation engines preferred.

Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and communicate complex data concepts to non-technical stakeholders effectively. Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to scope, prioritize, and deliver complex data science and AI initiatives on time and within resource constraints. Outstanding PowerPoint and presentation skills required.

Strong strategic thinking and business acumen with the ability to translate AI/ML capabilities into measurable business value. Track record of delivering advanced analytics solutions that drive revenue growth, cost optimization, and competitive advantage.

A strong track record of leveraging emerging AI technologies and data science methodologies to drive transformational business outcomes and establish competitive differentiation. Preferred Qualifications

Deep understanding of the beverage and alcohol manufacturing sector, including global market dynamics, consumer behaviors, regulatory constraints, and distribution complexities.

Extensive experience in revenue growth management (RGM), brand investment optimization, and pricing analytics for CPG companies. Background in leveraging AI to drive commercial decisions, optimize promotional effectiveness, and enhance portfolio management in the beverage and alcohol sector.

Understanding of data protection laws, AI ethics, compliance regulations, and responsible AI practices within the global beverage and alcohol industry.

Experience with multimodal AI systems, computer vision for product and marketing applications, LLMs for consumer insights, and advanced forecasting and optimization models. Role Responsibilities

Help define and execute the Data Science & AI strategy in alignment with corporate objectives. Lead and manage multiple Data Science resources across concurrent projects, providing direction, coaching, prioritization, and accountability for delivery.

Serve as a hands-on technical leader with strong programming capabilities. Drive the development of scalable Data Science solutions using Databricks, PySpark, Python, SQL, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Oversee data pipelines, machine learning models, ML Ops frameworks, and production deployments while establishing strong engineering practices including Git/GitHub, code reviews, unit testing, documentation, reproducibility, and CI/CD.

Lead the development, deployment, and continuous improvement of product recommendation engines, next-best-product, next-best-action, ranking, and other decision-support solutions. Apply machine learning, statistical modeling, business rules, and commercial data to generate actionable recommendations and measurable business value.

Design and lead A/B testing, test-and-control methodologies, experimental design, statistical analysis, and business impact measurement. Establish rigorous frameworks to quantify incremental sales impact, ROI, and effectiveness of Data Science solutions.

Serve as a trusted advisor to business and technology stakeholders. Work effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to translate complex business problems into actionable Data Science opportunities. Strongly manage stakeholder expectations, communicate clearly, facilitate decisions, and maintain alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

Operate effectively in highly ambiguous environments with messy, incomplete, or fragmented data. Bring structure to loosely defined problems, assess data feasibility, define realistic scope and success criteria, and independently lead projects and workstreams from end-to-end with minimal managerial oversight.

Establish and monitor KPIs for adoption, data quality, system performance, and business impact. Drive continuous improvement while ensuring solutions are scalable, reliable, reproducible, and appropriately governed.

Promote Data Science best practices and build team capabilities through coaching, knowledge sharing, technical standards, and development processes. Help scale the Data Science function to support future organizational growth.

Lead advanced analytics initiatives that drive sales productivity, revenue growth management (RGM), product recommendation effectiveness, consumer insights, forecasting, and operational efficiency. Apply strong business judgment to identify where Data Science can create meaningful commercial value. The salary range for this role is $130,000-$150,000 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.

Chicago

Outside Sales, Statistics, Marketing Manager, Compliance, Data Management, Sales, Data, Marketing, Legal