Group Distilleries Manager

International Beverage was established in 2006 as the international sales and marketing subsidiary of Thai Beverage PLC (ThaiBev), South East Asia’s leading beverage producer. Thai Beverage Plc has more than 49,000 employees world-wide and is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation worth more than $15.7bn SGD. International Beverage operates from international offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Poland and the UK. International Beverage sells to over 90 countries and territories worldwide with total sales of over 1m cases of spirits and 4m cases of beer.

IBHL Spirits comprises an award winning portfolio of premium Scotch Whisky, Gin, Vodka and Thai Spirits.

Founded in 1964, IBHL UK (formally Inver House Distillers) is the Group’s wholly owned Scotch Whisky subsidiary headquartered in Scotland. Within its portfolio there are five distilleries: Pulteney, Balblair, Knockdhu, Speyburn and Balmenach, each distilling its own single malt whisky. As well as producing malt whisky, Balmenach Distillery distils our premium, small batch gin brand, Caorunn.

IBHL UK has its main headquarters and warehousing facility located at Airdrie. This also includes blending, laboratory and bottling facilities with warehousing for over 500,000 barrels.

International Beverage is currently undergoing a period of significant and ambitious growth, and it continues to invest in these operations and its overall growth strategy, including both organic and acquisitive growth.

Two of these acquisitions to date include

• The Cardrona Distillery and visitor centre near Wanaka in New Zealand’s Crown Range Mountains, as well as the producer’s portfolio of super-premium brands including Cardrona single malt whisky, The Reid Vodka, The Source Gin, and Rose Rabbit liqueurs.
• The acquisition of The Larsen Cognac business including both its production site and eau-de-vie maturation stock in Cognac, France, as well as its Cognac brands Larsen, Renault and Monopol, plus brandy brand Ibis.

The latter marks a first move into the Cognac category, and forms part of a wider strategy to expand its portfolio of premium spirits as well as highlighting the reason behind more investment in key functions, bolstering the leadership team and a number of critical appointments recently made.

One of these key appointments is a new Group Distilleries Manager.

To develop and execute a distillation strategy (in conjunction with Operations Director), including long term capital & capacity planning, which is aligned to the business strategy and focused on corporate sustainability objectives. To manage the distilleries group (5 sites) at a strategic level, in an efficient and effective manner to maintain product quality, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

• Develop distillation strategy to support the long-term aspirations of the business.
• Lead and support the Distillery Management Team to deliver agreed production plans and functional KPIs. Identify and promote continuous improvement in operational performance, implementing industry best practice where possible.
• Set and manage annual budgets, including CAPEX, to meet strategic objectives.
• Develop and deliver Distillery Environmental Sustainability Strategy in key areas:
  • Carbon Emissions
  • Water use
  • Moving to a circular economy
• Support sustainability reporting:
  • Work with SWA on sustainability strategy reporting
  • Liaise with ThaiBev group and the IHD team to collate and report on bi-annual DJSI data requirements.
• Lead compliance and risk management for all aspects of IHD distilling operations, ensuring all sites are compliant with relevant authorities:
  • Licencing Authority
  • HSE
  • HMRC
  • SEPA
• Ensure continuous improvement in management systems, identifying improved methods for all systems employed in the distilleries in the fields of production, quality, purchasing, H&S, HMRC, environmental practices, security, IT, etc.
• Responsibility for maintaining and improving (where necessary) the spirit character of all five distillates.
• Reviewing and implementing innovative techniques and technology in distilling operations to meet strategic objectives.
• Define and approve scope of works to engineering consultants/contractors for major capex projects. Act as client with project management teams to ensure major capex projects are delivered on time and on budget.
• Lead supplier contracts negotiations in specialist fields of malted barley, yeast, utilities and effluent treatment and haulage. Management of service level agreements where implemented.
• Lead and develop the Distillery Team, ensuring that they are supported, have training and development plans in place, and are motivated and inspired to deliver great work. Support Distillery Managers to ensure company policies and relevant HR procedures are followed.
• Participate in strategic decision-making process as a member of the Leadership Team and provide performance information for the distilleries at the monthly meetings.
• Represent the company on key external boards and associated groups, maintaining appropriate and active networking contact with the industry.:
  • Scotch Whisky Association Groups
  • Board Director of Combination of Rothes Distillers Limited.
  • Management Committee member of Malt Distillers Association of Scotland
• Work closely with the Marketing Team to drive brand awareness through tutored tastings, master classes and other consumer shows. Support the Visitor Centres to deliver 5-star customer experience and drive sales.
• Participate in multi-functional projects to drive improvements in business processes and results.
• Manage and own your professional development to achieve your work objectives and your career and personal goals.

• Consideration of strategic problems and outcomes are a key part of the role.
• Consideration of technical process problems require creative and intuitive thinking.
• Acting as the link between distilleries and Airdrie head office to ensure that distilleries receive the support required, both in financial resource and management support.
• Full responsibility for information on all aspects of production, budgeting requirements, staffing issues etc. provided to senior management team.
• Creative and innovative approach required to challenge long held traditions of the industry in general and promote continuous improvement in all aspects of distilling operations.
• Virtual autonomy to operate business units within agreed quality and cost standards with support from Managing Director and Distillery Managers.
• Prioritisation of risk and compliance issues is a key part of the role to ensure Inver House Distillers operate within legal framework.