Global Technology & Process Innovation Lead - AGH Supply Chain

This role will ideally be based from Japan (AGH) for a 3 year assignment. Remote working arrangements from Oceania may be considered.

Role Purpose

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Supply Chain Technology & Process Innovation Leadership

• Develop, own and execute a multi-year supply chain process innovation strategy and technology roadmap aligned to Asahi Group Holdings global supply chain, R&D and commercial objectives.
• Develop game changing process innovations that defines the future manufacturing footprint for Asahi Group Holdings and generate competitive advantage and cost reduction.
• Lead strategic partnerships with global technology vendors, AQI/CRDO, start-ups & external research institutions to secure exclusive access to disruptive manufacturing technologies.

2. Process Innovation & Standardisation

• Deliver the "Global Blueprint" for process excellence, ensuring that innovations in one region (e.g., a high-gravity brewing technique from one region is scalable and standardized across other regions.
• Lead the mandatory standardisation of `Best in Class Manufacturing and engineering processes across diverse regional markets, eradicating local inefficiencies.
• Optimise Global asset base: Deploy operational audits of existing manufacturing assets and processes to eliminate bottlenecks and develop solutions to enhance both operating and capital efficiency.
• Standardise ' Best-in-Class' processes across diverse regional markets.

• Act as the primary interface with global technology vendors, startups, and academic institutions to scout for disruptive technologies.
• Manage a multi-million dollar global innovation budget, ensuring high ROI on capital expenditures (CapEx) in order to meet AGH ROIC targets.

• Drive sustainability initiatives including packaging lightweighting, waste reduction, renewable energy adoption and Scope 1&2 carbon footprint reduction across the global supply chain in order to meet AGH sustainability targets.
• Partner with the Chief Sustainability Officer to design and enforce process and engineering solutions that deliver carbon footprint reductions and sustainability initiatives to meet targets.
• Drive the integration of circular economy principles into manufacturing, focusing on water reduction, heat recovery and energy use optimisation, and valorization of by-products
• Develop game changing supply chain innovations that support delivery of sustainability targets.

• Deploy the plant of the future: Set the global technical specifications for next generation automated manufacturing, integrating advanced AI and deep data analytics into foundational plant design.
• Data-Driven Operations: Lead the implementation of advanced analytics across all regional supply chain networks to systematically improve forecast accuracy, eliminate waste, and optimize asset utilization.

• Lead an Expanded Global Footprint: Direct, inspire, and grow a multi-layered global team of Technology Thought Leaders and Regional Technical personnel.
• Design the Future of Work: Partner with Global HR to define the organizational capabilities, upskilling paths, and leadership pipelines required to operate highly automated, AI-driven environments.
• Build Succession Depth: Actively sponsor and mentor high-potential technical talent globally, building resilient succession depth for critical executive supply chain roles.

• Secure C-Suite & Board Alignment: Communicate operational strategies, digital maturity roadmaps, and technology investment requirements directly to the Asahi Group Holdings Board and Executive Committee.
• Support Regional Execution: Align Regional Supply Chain Officers (R-CSCOs) and Regional Technical Directors, ensuring localized regional execution matches global functional requirements.
• Understand and work within AGH corporate governance processes, including capital approval frameworks and strategic review cycles ensuring that regional SC capex plans are effectively represented and resourced.

Desired Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience in supply chain leadership, gained within Beverages and/or Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, with at least 5 years at a senior Supply Chain leadership level.
• Proven track record managing large and complex operational budgets and projects for Capex and Opex.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with and influence senior leaders and major external commercial stakeholders.
• Ability to evaluate complex supply chain, commercial and financial data to form clear strategic insights and well reasoned recommendations.
• Highly developed project and program management capability, ideally including multi-workstream transformation initiatives.

Leadership & Strategic Skills

• Experience leading and developing high-performing, cross functional teams in a complex, matrixed organisation.
• Prior experience setting strategic vision and translating into executable plans that inspire and align large, diverse teams.
• Cross cultural interpersonal and communication skills
• Comfort operating with a high level of ambiguity
• Champions new thinking and challenges the status quo

This role reports to Jaideep Chandrasekharan who is based in Japan. For a copy of the PD or for assistance with your expression of interest please contact Matthew DeSalvo. Applications close 4:00 pm (AEST) Wednesday 8 July.