Date: 25 Aug 2026
Location: Paris, J, FR
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Company: Suntory Global Spirits
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 key member of the France Leadership Team, the Head of Sales partners closely with the General Manager to accelerate one of the fastest-growing spirits businesses in the French market. Success requires the ability to seamlessly switch between high-volume FMCG execution and luxury brand stewardship.
The role is accountable for delivering sustainable, profitable growth across the entire French commercial ecosystem, including Modern Trade, On Trade, E-commerce, Wholesalers and Prestige distribution partners.
This role requires operating with the mindset of a business owner rather than a functional leader, combining strategic thinking with a relentless focus on execution.
France is one of Suntory Global Spirits' fastest-growing businesses in Europe. With c.$50M in market value and the ambition to more than double our business over the coming years, France is expected to become one of the company's key growth engines. The Head of Sales will play a pivotal role in making this ambition a reality.
This position will become available on January 1, 2027.
Role Responsibilities
People leadership
Build and lead a high-performing, challenger culture focused on accountability, execution and collaboration.
Develop future leaders through coaching, empowerment and continuous feedback.
Build an organization where talented people thrive and perform at their best.
Contribute actively to the France and Central & Northern Europe leadership agenda beyond functional priorities.
Commercial leadership
Own the commercial P&L, delivering sustainable, profitable growth across all channels.
Lead the entire French commercial ecosystem, including Modern Trade, On Trade, E-commerce, wholesalers and prestige distribution partners, through internal teams and external route-to-market partners.
Lead and maximize the performance of the outsourced field sales organizations across Modern Trade and On Trade, ensuring flawless execution and consistent delivery of commercial priorities.
Build winning customer and channel strategies to outperform the market through distribution, pricing, revenue growth management and commercial execution.
Shape the France business agenda alongside the General Manager and Leadership Team, contributing beyond Sales to overall business performance.
Accelerate commercial transformation by simplifying ways of working and continuously identifying new growth opportunities.
Represent Suntory Global Spirits externally and build trusted relationships with France's most strategic customers, distributors and industry partners.
Qualifications
10-15+ years of progressive commercial leadership experience within FMCG, Spirits or Premium Consumer Goods, including senior customer-facing and people leadership roles.
Demonstrated track record of consistently outperforming the market and delivering profitable growth.
Experience leading complex route-to-market models involving distributors, wholesalers and outsourced sales organizations.
Strong customer negotiation, Revenue Growth Management and commercial investment capabilities.
Proven ability to lead transformation and build high-performing teams.
Strategic thinker with strong financial and business acumen.
Fluent in French and English, with the ability to operate effectively in an international matrix organization.
Exposure to broader business leadership or general management is a strong advantage.
SKILLS & BEHAVIOURS
Business Leadership – Thinks and acts like a head of sales, balancing growth, profitability, people, priorities and long-term ambition.
Execution Excellence – Combines strategic thinking with flawless execution. Moves rapidly from ideas to action.
Entrepreneurial – Demonstrates ownership, resilience and resourcefulness in a fast-changing environment.
Influencing – Builds commitment without relying on hierarchy and effectively navigates complex matrix organizations.
Customer Obsessed – Builds trusted relationships with customers and partners while constantly seeking to create mutual value.
People Leadership – Strong and proven people management and development skills. Ability to create an environment where everyone can be at their best, championing an inclusive and outperformance culture.
Agility – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability across a wide range of situations. Embraces change and adapts external best practice to the organization's context.
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.
