Business Manager - Brewery operations

Duties & Responsibilities 

Business Growth & Commercial Strategy 

Develop and execute robust commercial strategies to drive sustainable revenue growth, market penetration, and business expansion across assigned portfolios.  

Identify, evaluate, and capitalize on emerging business opportunities within Beverage, Dairy, Distilleries, Water Treatment, Flavour Houses, and other strategic industry segments.  

Drive customer acquisition, retention, and wallet share expansion through strategic account management and value-driven customer engagement.  

Formulate and implement annual business plans, sales strategies, and route-to-market initiatives aligned with organizational growth objectives.  

Lead the development and management of key strategic accounts, fostering long-term partnerships with customers and critical stakeholders.  

Monitor market dynamics, customer trends, competitive intelligence, and regulatory developments to proactively position the business for growth and competitive advantage.  

Financial Performance & Profitability Management 

Assume full accountability for the financial performance and profitability of assigned business portfolios, ensuring achievement of revenue and margin targets.  

Manage end-to-end portfolio P&L performance, with focus on:  

Revenue growth and market expansion  

Gross margin optimization  

Cost efficiency and operational leverage  

EBITDA contribution  

Working capital effectiveness and cash flow optimization  

Analyze financial and commercial performance metrics to identify opportunities for profitability enhancement and risk mitigation.  

Drive pricing governance, margin improvement initiatives, and value-based selling to maximize commercial returns.  

Evaluate product portfolio performance, cost-to-serve, account profitability, and commercial viability to support informed business decisions.  

Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes to ensure delivery of agreed business objectives.  

Sales Leadership & Performance Management 

Establish and drive sales targets, performance metrics, and commercial KPIs across business teams to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.  

Foster a high-performance culture with clear accountability for revenue generation, profitability, customer engagement, and pipeline conversion.  

Lead, coach, and develop commercial teams to strengthen capability, succession readiness, and leadership bench strength.  

Conduct periodic business reviews to monitor performance, address gaps, and drive execution excellence across assigned portfolios.  

Strategic Account & Customer Relationship Management 

Build, strengthen, and sustain executive-level relationships with key customers, principals, and strategic stakeholders to support long-term business growth.  

Lead high-value commercial negotiations, contract management, and partnership agreements to secure sustainable business outcomes.  

Proactively manage and resolve complex customer issues, ensuring superior customer experience and retention.  

Collaborate closely with technical, production, and application teams to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions tailored to market needs.  

Champion service excellence and a compelling customer value proposition to strengthen competitive positioning.  

Market Intelligence & Portfolio Development 

Conduct in-depth market assessments to identify growth opportunities, competitive threats, and evolving customer requirements.  

Recommend portfolio expansion, product diversification, and innovation initiatives to strengthen market relevance and profitability.  

Collaborate with principals, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to introduce new products, technologies, and value-added solutions.  

Evaluate market attractiveness, business viability, and return potential of existing and emerging segments to inform strategic investment decisions.  

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

Partner effectively with Supply Chain, Finance, Procurement, Production, and other cross-functional teams to ensure seamless business execution and customer fulfilment.  

Drive effective demand planning, inventory optimization, and supply continuity to support commercial objectives.  

Ensure efficient execution of customer requirements while maintaining service standards, operational excellence, and business continuity. 

Administrative & Reporting Functions 

Maintain accurate records, process paperwork, and report performance updates to senior management. 

Provide regular business reports, forecasts, and insight to aid strategic decision-making.  

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Food Science, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline. 

MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage. 

Minimum of 10–12 years’ commercial/sales experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. 

Strong experience in specialty chemicals, food ingredients, industrial raw materials, or related B2B sectors. 

Demonstrated experience managing multiple business lines or portfolios. 

Proven success in driving business growth and profitability. 

Commercial & Financial Acumen 

Strong P&L management capability  

Financial analysis and business modelling  

Pricing and profitability management  

Budgeting and forecasting  

Commercial negotiation skills  

Strategic & Leadership Capability 

Strategic thinking and execution  

Business development and market expansion  

Team leadership and people management  

Stakeholder management and influence  

Decision-making and problem-solving  

Technical/Industry Knowledge 

Good understanding of food, beverage, dairy, distillery, flavour, and water treatment industries.  

Knowledge of industrial ingredients and specialty chemicals market is an advantage.  

Behavioural Competencies 

Strong ownership mindset  

Results-oriented  

Customer-centric  

High commercial drive  

Strong analytical capability  

Collaboration and relationship management  

Resilience and adaptability  

Authority Level 

Responsible for business performance and profitability of assigned sub-business units.  

Authority to recommend pricing strategies, commercial decisions, and growth investments within approved limits.  

Direct oversight of sub-sales managers and commercial teams.