Portfolio Planning Lead

About your role

The purpose of this position is responsible for driving the voice of Seikushasha (consumer) into the long-term portfolio growth strategy combining deep consumer & business insights with disciplined portfolio planning and investment prioritisation working closely with BU Portfolio Leads to ensure Insights into Action.

This role ensures the organisation’s portfolio of brands, flavours, pack formats, and product innovations aligns with evolving consumer needs, category trends, and commercial objectives. The role leads the development of portfolio strategies in partnership with BU Portfolio leads that maximise category growth, brand equity and profitability across core brands, emerging segments, and innovation pipelines.

Working closely with marketing, consumer insights, business insights, innovation and finance teams, the Portfolio Planning Lead ensures the voice of the consumer translates into clear Seikushasha driven portfolio choices & plans —what to grow, where to innovate, which segments to enter, and where to rationalise.

The role acts as a key strategic advisor to the executive team on growth opportunities, portfolio optimisation, and long-term consumer trends ensuring Insight led growth across the entire Value Chain.

What You'll Do

• Define the strategic direction for the portfolio across brands, sub-categories, flavours, and pack formats in partnership with BU Portfolio Leads
• Ensure voice of the consumer (Seikushasha) embedded through the brand strategy planning & AOP process.
• Develop portfolio roadmaps that balance core growth, premiumisation, and innovation.
• Identify opportunities for portfolio expansion, brand stretch and category entry.
• Work in partnership with Category Development Lead to guide relevant portfolio optimisation, including advise on SKU rationalisation owned by RGM teams through Portfolio Review 
• Lead the development of long-term consumer and category strategies (in partnership with Category Development Team) for the portfolio.
• Identify emerging consumer trends (e.g., health, functional beverages, premiumisation, sustainability, convenience) and ensure CI championed to action.
• Translate consumer insights into clear strategic choices for brands, product formats, and innovation.
• Build a deep understanding of consumer occasions, consumption drivers and category growth spaces.

What You need to be successful

• 5-7+ years’ experience in consumer strategy, portfolio planning, brand strategy, or category management
• Experience within FMCG, beverages, or consumer goods industries
• Deep understanding of consumer behavior and category dynamics
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Proven ability to translate consumer insight into portfolio strategy.
• Experience leading cross-functional strategic initiatives.
• Consumer-first strategic thinking
• Portfolio optimisation and growth strategy
• Category and market foresight
• Innovation leadership
• Executive influence and storytelling 

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.