Key Account Manager
Who We Are
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 - delivering quality products that honor our commitment to harmony with people and nature.
At Suntory Malaysia, we are proud to be part of the global Suntory Group, a Japanese multinational renowned for its unwavering commitment to health, wellness, and enriching lives. With a legacy deeply rooted in innovation and natural science, we deliver high-quality health enrichment and functional beverages tailored to the needs of Malaysian consumers.
Guided by our mission to “Inspire the Brilliance of Life”, we blend cutting-edge research with a profound respect for nature to support holistic well-being — from the inside out.
We are the proud brand owner of several iconic products with strong cultural heritage and consumer trust:
- Ribena – the beloved blackcurrant drink rich in Vitamin C.
- BRAND’S® – a trusted name in health supplements, including the renowned BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken.
- C.C. Lemon – a refreshing lemon-flavored drink packed with Vitamin C, offering a zesty boost for your daily wellness.
About your role
As a Key Account Manager – Modern Trade, you will be responsible for driving sales growth, profitability, and long-term partnerships with designated modern trade Local key accounts (TF Value, Econsave, NSK, Hero, Jaya Grocer). Reporting to the Head of Modern Trade, you play a critical role in shaping joint business plans, executing commercial strategies, and strengthening customer relationships across all SKUs and categories.
This is a highly commercial, hands-on role that sits at the heart of sales execution, cross-functional collaboration, and customer success.
Role Type: People Manager
Reporting Line Manager: Head of Modern Trade
Subordinate: Key Account Executive
Compensation and Benefits:
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- 17 days Annual Leave
- 16% Employer EPF contribution
- Medical and insurance coverage
- Optical and dental coverage
- Hybrid work mode
What You'll Do
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Deliver Commercial Results
- Achieve sales, profit, and market share targets for assigned key accounts
- Monitor performance vs targets and initiate corrective actions where needed
- Ensure accurate monthly sales forecasting and healthy stock availability
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Manage Trade Investment & Profitability
- Negotiate promotion costs, margins, and trade terms with buyers
- Optimize trade funds and deliver agreed trade spend KPIs
- Track promotion effectiveness to ensure strong ROI
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Drive Customer Programs
- Develop and execute annual joint business plans
- Lead regular business reviews with key customers
- Manage contractual agreements and customer commitments
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Execute Excellence In-Store
- Coordinate exclusive promotions, displays, and roadshows
- Work closely with Trade Marketing, Operations, Merchandising, and Logistics
- Conduct regular trade visits to ensure visibility, availability, and execution quality
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People & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and motivate merchandising / operations teams
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders
- Build long-term, mutually beneficial customer relationships
What's in it for you
- Ownership of strategic Modern Trade key accounts with significant sales contribution
- High exposure to senior stakeholders and major retailers
- Opportunity to shape business growth through commercial strategy and execution
- Strong cross-functional learning across Trade Marketing, Supply Chain, and Sales Ops
- A role with scale, impact, and clear performance-based recognition
What You need to be successful
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Education & Experience
- Business-related degree preferred
- 3–5 years of experience in FMCG, with proven exposure to Modern Trade
- Demonstrated sales track record
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Technical & Commercial Skills
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
- Experience managing promotions, trade spend, and forecasting
- Solid understanding of retail dynamics and category management
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Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Analytical, resilient, and results-driven
- Positive mindset with the ability to influence and negotiate
- Good understanding of business priorities and organizational direction
Our DEI Commitment
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 where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.
Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.