Assistant Scientist

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 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 unleash your spirit by making an impact each and every day.

• The spirits industry is an exciting, dynamic, and fast‑paced business. Suntory Global Spirits is a top player in the spirits business and focused on driving both category and brand growth.
• Opportunity to work closely with internal cross‑functional teams to help create and commercialize products and processes.
• This role enables SGS R&D teams to provide timely samples, testing and business commitments for new process and product development, pilot plant testing, product innovation, stability testing, sensory testing and analysis, sample preparation and other related day‑to‑day critical business requirements.

This position will report to the Group Manager of Product Innovation and Technical Research. The primary focus will be conducting experiments, analysis, maintenance, or testing processes based on standard operating procedures and guidance from scientists and engineers. The role supports the creation of innovative consumer and customer‑driven new products/platforms, quality improvements and cost savings to drive SGS’s profitable growth and business success.

• Executes responsibilities under broad guidelines set by the researcher; selects, sets up, and adjusts experimental materials and equipment appropriately.
• Manages own time, prioritizes work to meet the needs of scientists and engineers, and aligns to clear due dates with each requestor, tracking work, communicating variances, and proactively providing options for ways to move forward.
• Consistently and accurately provides data, tracking, samples, solutions, etc., for the supported project, observing and reacting to situations in the lab and adjusting/re‑calibrating as necessary.
• Communicates with manager and team members on a regular basis, with schedule updates and recommendations for efficiency and effectiveness improvements, and with other SGS and external personnel as needed.
• Supports sensory laboratory activities including sample preparation, evaluation, data system expertise and lab maintenance.
• Leads sensory training sessions for employees and customers.
• Plans and executes experiments using established laboratory/pilot plant/operation methods, interprets results, and translates them into solutions; follows best practices and SOPs for development and promotes process improvements.
• Leads and assists with laboratory clean‑up, including managing and discarding waste, proper disposal of sample materials, cleaning and organization of glassware and utensils.

• B.S. Food Science or related science required; M.S. Food Science or related science preferred. Experience with statistics, product development or sensory a plus.
• Experience in food and/or beverage industry preferred.
• Proficient in planning and performing experiments, data collection, analysis and interpretation; able to perform calculations, conversions, and basic math formulas.
• Solid analytical and problem‑solving skills; strong working knowledge of standard lab operating procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including timely follow‑up and commitment to deliverables, and openness to give and receive feedback.
• Desire to help build and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture within Global R&D and broader Beam Suntory.
• Team player with a cooperative, collaborative style supported by good listening and partnering skills; culturally sensitive and able to work in a global multicultural cross‑functional organization.
• Ability to travel to partner in project work with internal and external clients, and support implementation at SGS facilities – travel approx. 5‑10%,…