Brown-Forman Hiring for Country Head – India at Gurgaon, Haryana, India Full Time

Imagine working for a company that welcomes you in, inspires you to bring your best self to every opportunity, and encourages you to grow and develop your career in a resilient and fun industry. Brown-Forman offers our employees this kind of career and environment and has for more than 150 years. Together, we proudly live and work by our values, striving each day to be better and do better as people, as a company, and as members of the communities we call home. Come have a seat at our table.

Meaningful Work From Day One

Country Head (General Manager) India is the primary representative for Brown-Forman and oversees all business activity in the market. This position will be responsible for the development and growth of Brown-Forman’s business in India and be responsible for the creation and execution of the market’s long-term strategic plan. A key task for this position will be to grow Brown-Forman’s business in India. This includes assessing the structure, ensuring resources are deployed effectively and capabilities are acquired and built to deliver on critical objectives to achieve the market’s short and long-term goals.

This role will be an active member of the ANZPI (Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands) and IMENAT (India, Middle East, Africa, Turkey) regional leadership team, providing leadership to the commercial, route to consumer and brand-building strategies of the organisation and engagement in regional strategies, issues and opportunities.

The General Manager (GM) will be expected to have high-level visibility with senior B-F management, operate with a growth mindset, operate with high standards of integrity and transparency, and adhere to all legal, regulatory & compliance policies, and practices.

What You Will Do In This Role

• To be the pivotal in-market resource for B-F, managing all aspects of the business, driving growth and maximizing brand profit in a challenging and competitive marketplace.
• Responsibilities include building capabilities and a structure to support sales, marketing, and functional team operations
• The role will work closely with B-F colleagues, including the India leadership team, supply chain, logistics, finance, production, tax, legal and compliance.
• Responsible for all aspects of B-F’s route to consumer activities, including leading the development and implementation of the distribution strategy.
• Responsible for determining the region’s optimal portfolio and, where applicable, will take the lead in exploring any local production opportunities.
• Work closely with the Managing Director of Global Travel Retail (GTR) to align B-F’s strategy across travel retail in the market.
• Work closely with B-F’s government affairs operation and represent the company at various trade associations.
• Organization Leadership:
• Leads by example, role models the company’s values and ways of working.
• Establishes an enabling culture based on strong collaboration and common objectives.
• Leads the business operation and organisation in all aspects of the business anddevelops and leads the strategic direction of B-F business in country.
• Establishes clear vision and business priorities to ensure consistent, profitable growth.
• Leads the overall business planning process and champions the market in all internalresource allocation discussions.
• Ensure compliance with B-F Code of Conduct, responsible marketing guidelines, andother such codes that may be issued.
• Build a succession plan in the organisation.
• Strategic Planning:
• Lead the development and maintain long-term strategic plans for brands, portfolio, channels, and the organisation. Build mid-term plans with investment proposals to seekgrowth opportunities.
• Annual planning: lead the development and implement annual budgets in accordancewith mid-term and long-term plans.
• Business operations and results:
• Working with regional leadership, lead a comprehensive review of the company’s India operations and execute a long-term strategic plan, including a complete RTM review, exploring strategic alliances, and determining optimal resource requirements, portfolio and potential local production opportunities.
• Lead the team to develop and implement organisational processes and systems to ensure operational excellence in all aspects of the business, building on existing best practices from other Own Distribution markets.
• Provide appropriate reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis regarding planning, performance, evaluation of activity, and other relevant environmental issues such as competitor activity, customer conflicts, market conditions, legislation changes, etc.
• Support the commercial and marketing teams by establishing appropriate relationships with key customers, industry, and respective government authorities.
• Ensure that all local administrative requirements are undertaken efficiently and effectively, complying with local legal requirements and B-F corporate guidelines.
• Negotiate, implement and monitor contracts with multiple distribution partners and oversee contract processes with numerous agency vendors ensuring all legal, regulatory and compliance practices are followed.
• Operates effectively with and through key stakeholders, including regional marketing and finance directors, credit, customer service and legal.
• Working with Brown-Forman legal resources seeking to minimize the effects of inbound and outbound parallel trade and counterfeit products.
• Takes complete ownership and responsibility for territory-wide adherence to all B-F legal and financial compliance requirements, including training of B-F, distributor and agency personnel.
• Takes complete ownership and responsibility for all B-F Internal Audit discussions and distributor negotiations.
• B-F point person to all external parties, government agencies, lobby groups, legal, trade bodies, etc.
• Key contact for all issues involving the B-F office and licensing in India.

We Are Looking For People Who

• Education: Masters Degree (M.A., MBA or Equivalent); Business Administration.
• Experience: Minimum 5-10 years experience in General Management.
• Experience in beverage alcohol industry or similarly regulated industry.
• Minimum eight years of combined marketing and sales experience in beverage alcohol, preferably in wines and spirits.
• Experience in international sales and brand management of FMCG in more than one country.
• Knowledge and experience in dealing with distribution channels.

What Makes You Unique

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or related area plus at least 10 years of packaged goods sales experience.
• Proven general management experience with FMCG, including P&L responsibility.
• Strategic development and planning skills/awareness and championing international strategy.
• Excellent leadership skills to inspire and build a strong team connected to a clear vision and providing direction to the team.
• Proven negotiating skills.
• Excellent written, oral and presentation and communication skills.
• Aptitude to learn quickly and to apply learning to tasks.
• Ability to build internal and external relationships across various cultures.
• Influencing skills to operate in cross-border international/multi-market operations.
• Ability to perform under minimum supervision, with well-developed initiative and ability to exercise independent judgement.
• Willingness to travel.

Nothing Better in the Market

Total Rewards at Brown-Forman is designed to offer our people a Premium Experience to ensure our sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay & bonus based on individual and company performance. We offer a range of benefits that reflect company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.

Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.

Business Area: Emerging International Division

City: Gurgaon

State: Haryana

Country: IND

Req ID: JR-00006052