Assistant Manager Export & Import

What makes this a great opportunity?

Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with $5.5 billion in annual revenues and an ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. We have a strong vision and strategy, an incredible brand portfolio grounded in quality and craftsmanship, an unwavering commitment to sustainability and top talent across the organization. We are focused on driving value across key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Scotch, Tequila and Ready-to-Drink. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, which is world renowned for delivering quality and excellence across a range of products and categories.

Mission of Role

The Asst. Manager - Import, Export, drives the seamless execution of import and export operations, customs compliance for an alcoholic beverage company. The role involves managing the supply chain for raw materials (e.g., grains, packaging, bottles) and finished products (e.g., spirits, wines, beers) while ensuring compliance with India's complex regulatory framework, including excise duties, licensing, and international trade laws. The position requires coordination with internal teams, suppliers, logistics providers, and government authorities to ensure timely delivery and cost efficiency

Role Responsibilities

• Import and Export Operations
  
  
  

Plan and Execute Imports/Exports: Manage the import of Bulk (Raw material-Liquid) & BIO (CFG) export of alcobev CFG products, ensuring compliance with Indian and international trade regulations.

Customs and Compliance: Prepare & review the documents for customs, including Bills of Entry, Shipping Bills, and Certificates of Origin, ensuring adherence to the Customs Act, 1962, and Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) of India.

Excise and Licensing: Ensure compliance with state-specific excise laws, liquor permits, and licensing requirements for the movement of alcoholic beverages across India and internationally.

Duty Optimization: Leverage schemes like Advance Authorization, Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), or Duty Drawback to minimize import/export duties and taxes.

Vendor Coordination: Collaborate with international suppliers, freight forwarders, and clearing agents to ensure smooth cross-border logistics.

• Order Fulfilment
  
  
  

Order Management: Release timely orders & follow-up with vendors for timely shipments ensuring complete set to documents complying regulatory requirements.

Inventory Coordination: Work with warehouse teams to manage stock levels, ensuring availability of products to meet demand while minimizing overstocking or stockouts.

Logistics Management: Coordinate with internal Logistics teams & 3rd party logistics partner to optimize transportation, especially for temperature-sensitive or regulated alcobev products.

• Regulatory and Compliance Management
  
  
  

Participate in industry forums (e.g., CIABC, ISWAI) to stay updated on regulatory trends and engage in policy advocacy where applicable.

Excise and Tax Compliance: Ensure adherence to state and central excise regulations, GST, Custom & FSSAI and other tax requirements specific to the alco-bev industry.

Trade Compliance: Stay updated on changes in the Foreign Trade Policy, EXIM policies, and international trade agreements affecting the alcobev industry.

Documentation: Maintain accurate records for audits by excise, customs, or other regulatory bodies.

Liaisoning: Contract renewal & Commercial Negotiations with CHA & Freight forwarders

• Supply Chain Optimization
  
  
  

Cost Management: Monitor and optimize costs related to imports, exports, freight, and duties to improve profitability.

Process Improvement: Implement best practices and technologies (e.g., ERP systems, supply chain software) to streamline import/export and fulfilment processes.

Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks related to supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, or geopolitical issues affecting trade.

• Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
  
  
  

Team Supervision: Lead a team of import/export coordinators, logistics staff, and compliance officers, providing guidance and training.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with procurement, production, sales, and finance teams to align supply chain operations with business goals.

Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships with customs officials, excise authorities, freight forwarders, and international partners to facilitate smooth operations.

• New Product Development (Innovation)
  
  
  

Provide compliance inputs for new product launches, SKU introductions, packaging changes, and pricing decisions across states.

Participate In innovation related to packing/labels change to share inputs pertaining to Excise and FSSAI guidelines

• Reporting and Analytics
  
  
  

Performance Metrics: Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as order fulfilment rates, customs clearance times, and logistics costs.

Data Analysis: Use data to forecast demand, optimize inventory, and improve supply chain efficiency.

Management Reporting: Provide regular updates to senior leadership on import/export activities & compliance status

Qualifications

Experience

• A post graduate with approx 10 years of experience in Import & Export, operations, vendor handling, Warehousing, preferably in a similar industry/FMCG/Consumer Durables etc.
• Should have hands-on experience of MS Office, SAP & tEG or any other Transport Management system
  
  
  

Behavioral Competencies

• Delivers results (includes Planning & Execution)
• Demonstrates emotional resilience & influences others
• Demonstrates Financial Ability
• Lives the Values (includes Accountability & Collaboration
  
  
  

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge of demand forecast, inventory optimization and supply chain efficiency
• Having Knowledge of customs documents, including Bills of Entry, Shipping Bills, and Certificates of Origin.
• Well versed with Indian regulations, excise laws, and global trade standards
• Well versed with cost performance analysis. Expertise in preparing reports, dashboards.
• Experience in handling multiple service providers and driving the process execution as per business needs.
• Exposure to handling audits and adhering to key regulatory policies.